What's YOUR dr's fever protocol?

[2boyzmama]

Gavin is fine , but a friend of mine has a 6 week old with a 102 fever. Her dr surprisingly said that he doesn't worry unless the baby is 4 weeks or under, he said that at 6 weeks the immune system is more mature and 102 isn't that bad.

That is different than my ped, who says any fever over 100.4 in a baby less than THREE MONTHS warrants an immediate trip to the hospital (he says to not even go to the office, go straight to the ER).

SO...what does your ped say?? This friend's family all have flu-like symptoms, so I wonder if the ped is just assuming that it's a virus, and knows this is an experienced mom (4th baby) and knows baby is being breastfed, so therefore he's not worrying too much?? I don't know, it's always been hounded into me 100.4=hospital.

[BeanSprout Mama]

if ds gets a rectal temp over 100 then we are supposed to go in to urgent care for a baby less than 3 months. I don't know what their guidelines are for over 3 months, we aren't there yet.

I think a lot of hospitals and clinics are changing their rules with the H1N1 flu going around though, because it's so contagious that they don't want anybody coming in who doesn't have to be there. Maybe that's what is going on?

[aleatha5]

My Doctor's policy is 100.4 call the office and they will talk to you. My guess is that it wouldn't be an emergency? I'm basing this on the fact that I called in about some of the other things and they were like, "well, we don't really worry until x happens". Vincent hasn't had a fever yet (yay) though, so I don't really know.

[confustication]

We don't have a set in stone protocol here, at least, they didn't give me one. What I was told was to 'give us a call if you're concerned'. Maybe because I'm also on kid #3?

[JordanKX]

100.4 = hospital. Yep. By pass the ped's office and go to the ER. Which just sounds terrifying.

Hope your friend's baby is okay at 102!

[cristeen]

Weird. My MW said that anything 100 or under isn't even considered a fever, so 100.4 wouldn't be a big deal.

[acemama]

Hi all, I'm the friend It's been a bit crazy around here. I was always told anything over100.4 go to ER with baby under 3 months also but I called our dr. Sat night just to check before heading in and he didn't seem at all concerned. Today at the office he said he wouldn't worry unless it was 103 or 104! My baby is only 6 weeks!! Fever is down today, but I'm a bit concerned that our dr. just seemed to blow us off and said Rayner just has a cold.

[confustication]

If you think it's more than you can safely manage at home, by all means- seek further attention. Judging from your signature, this certainly isn't your first go-round with a baby, you know what you're comfortable with.

If you're feeling blown off by the doc- that's a whole different issue. You should always feel that you are being heard, and that your questions and concerns are reasonable and valid.

Personally, I do much better with physicians who are very laid back and hands off (if the limb is still attached and the bleeding stopped they'll be content to watch and wait if I'm comfortable with that) other people want a doctor who will absolutely test EVERYTHING under the sun when their kid has a sniffle. I think we all have different comfort levels- the key is finding a doctor who can meet our expectations.

[Julia24]

My dr. said 100.4 under 3 months - but not to the ER, necessarily....just needs to be seen..... Maddie is my only tiny baby who had a fever though - she was one who got several ear infections, first one at only 2 months old, poor thing. I think she was gettin reflux into her ears somehow. Since I keep my other two elevated most of the time, they haven't had this problem? I donno.

[2boyzmama]

Originally Posted by acemama

Hi all, I'm the friend It's been a bit crazy around here. I was always told anything over100.4 go to ER with baby under 3 months also but I called our dr. Sat night just to check before heading in and he didn't seem at all concerned. Today at the office he said he wouldn't worry unless it was 103 or 104! My baby is only 6 weeks!! Fever is down today, but I'm a bit concerned that our dr. just seemed to blow us off and said Rayner just has a cold.

Hi! When I first heard Rayner was sick, my first instinct was to come straight here to post a "good thoughts" thread, but then I remembered we aren't pregnant anymore!!

I did want a general poll, too, I'm surprised how much discrepancy there is in this...I had always assumed fever in baby equals hospital.

Hope he's feeling better!!!!

[acemama]

Originally Posted by 2boyzmama

Hi! When I first heard Rayner was sick, my first instinct was to come straight here to post a "good thoughts" thread, but then I remembered we aren't pregnant anymore!!

I did want a general poll, too, I'm surprised how much discrepancy there is in this...I had always assumed fever in baby equals hospital.

Hope he's feeling better!!!!

Thanks for all of your support over the last few days! His fever is staying down now so I'm very relieved. I am usually a very hands off mom and try to avoid the Dr., but with a baby this young I did feel concerned and a bit panicky I guess the under 3 months = ER has been put into my head and my mind did go wild. We've had H1N1 (not tested, but that's our guess ) in our house too, which didn't concern me with anyone else in the house but did when this newest little man suddenly spiked a fever. So, hopefully we are clearing this hurdle. Thanks again!