Motrin question

[Neera]

Do you give motrin when your dc has a fever and how high does it have to be?

Last night dd had 103 fever and dh wanted the fever to "do its job." He said that we shud give her the motrin only if her fever hit 104. We ended up having an argument as we have had many times bfor over the same point. But, that's another story.

What do you do?

thanks.

[COgirl19]

I try to let it run it's course but 103 is very high. At that point you are almost to the "danger" zone and I would give it at that point. Below that I would try to let it do it's job.

[lynsage]

I have never given my child a fever reducing medication. My best friend is a ped and her guidelines are very similar to Dr. Sears http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/t082100.asp

The things to watch for are lethargy, uncontrollable crying, or signs of meningitis, just like it says there on Dr Sears' site. The number is not as important as how the child is tolerating the fever- unless it gets above 104 and stays there.

The few times my kidlet has had a fever, I have just given her cool liquids and a cold washcloth on her head.

[StoriesInTheSoil]

Unless she's uncomfortable and can't sleep, I wouldn't worry about treating just a non-specific fever.

[ASusan]

Originally Posted by lynsage

I have never given my child a fever reducing medication. My best friend is a ped and her guidelines are very similar to Dr. Sears http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/t082100.asp

The things to watch for are lethargy, uncontrollable crying, or signs of meningitis, just like it says there on Dr Sears' site. The number is not as important as how the child is tolerating the fever- unless it gets above 104 and stays there.

The few times my kidlet has had a fever, I have just given her cool liquids and a cold washcloth on her head.

This is us. We've never medicated a fever. We never even used a thermometer until...? I can't remember when or why we used a thermometer, but I know we didn't use one until DS was at least 18 mos. Maybe we thought the fever was headed to 104? (for some reason, this is the "cut-off" in my head, too, but I think we can stay away from it with other fever-reducing measures, if necessary.)

[Baby_Cakes]

I would give motrin for a fever of 103, and have. I'm all for letting a low grade fever do its thing, but for a fever that high I just couldn't do it. DD has had fevers that high twice in her life time and both times she was lethargic, had a blank stare, wouldn't nurse, or was crying/sobbing. I would rather her feel a little better.

[tarasattva]

We were dealing with this last weekend and here's what our ped office recommended:

under 102 - let fever run it's course, no need to medicate unless child is uncomfortable and/or unable to rest

102-104 - ibuprofen plus call to ped (if no other concerning symptoms no need for off hours appt, but if it persists they will see the child the next day to rule out infection)

104+ - ibuprofen plus cool cloths on the way to an immediate doctor appt (even if off hours)

With the big caveat that if mum and/or dad felt something was off (even w/ a lower temp) we should immediately go to ER. Trust the mommysense.

[Neera]

Thanks. I am glad to get different perspectives. Its just that we ended up in a hospital last yr with no idea how high her fever was since none of our thermometers were functioning properly. the doctor's office was closed and the doc. suggested to get to a hospital as he felt from our description her fever was high. All that the hospital did was give her motrin. her fever was at 104. She was well the next day. Well, after paying nearly $500 in ded. I'd rather give 1/2 the dose of motrin/tylenol rather than nothing at 103 and more. And, yes it is about her not being able to deal with such a high fever and not being able to get restful sleep which she needs the most to recover.

[pbjmama]

My kids get meds if they are in pain, which they always have been with a fever that high. If I'm concerned I might even treat earlier to make sure a fever responds to meds.