So Natural Mamas help me out here!

[peaceful_mama]

I'm trying REALLY HARD to wait things out and not panic when my kids get sick.  Other than that I do remember going to a chiropractor, my parents were very 'run to the doctor' types.  DH is very NOT, but he's also not always around to 'talk me down.'

I have had two experiences with my kids where 2 of them did actually need immediate attention, and those experiences have helped...I realize now that when we truly need a hospital/doctor I will KNOW.

What doesn't help me is that if I do call my doc's office, they *always* say they want to see them, especially a baby.

What I want to know is things like

When is a fever TRULY cause to see a doctor?  After what length of time?  Is it "normal" for it to go up and down?  If so, how long before I should go find out what's behind it?  (In other words, is there a way to tell when this is 'normal' and when we probably actually need an antibiotic?)

What I already do is just watch it and let it run--after all, it is the body's normal response to try to burn out germs.  I don't give anything for it unless I've got an older kid who's miserable and begging.  I've never reached this point, but also if I had a child at the point where they needed to start drinking or go get an IV, I'd give the fever reducer first, because that's what the doctor would do.

Also, I'd like to replace Tylenol and Motrin with safe, effective natural stuff.  What works for headaches and pain?  What works if you need to try to bring down a fever?

There are no naturopathic docs in my area, and the chiro we see would likely give me the same answer the doc's office does--and I get it, he's responsible for what he tells his patients.

[lindberg99]

I like Dr. Sears' site because he gives guidelines about when to call a doctor and when to wait. If you haven't ever looked at it, it is http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/childhood-illnesses/fever

[peaceful_mama]

thanks!

[MamaKye]

I'm not a Dr. but I can tell you my personal experiences.  When my dd gets a fever I read how she's handling it. I often give her home made popsicles to keep her hydrated and cool her down to keep her as comfortable as possible.  Since she just loves popsicles, its sort of fun and uplifting for her too.  Also, I've used homeopathic remedies such as Belladonna and Aconite.  There are all different remedies for different kinds of fevers.  I've used this site to look for the ideal remedy http://www.abchomeopathy.com/  

I try all the natural approaches I know before resorting to medication or doctors.  I don't wait too long though. The point is that she not suffer more than the typical symptoms of cold/flu.  If I see she's getting worse than the normal escalation of a cold or flu, I'll try some medication and/or make an appointment at the Dr.  I usually avoid the Dr. since its usually the same response every time I've taken her, "yeah, its that nasty cold/flu that's going around"  Then they either give me the BRAT diet or clear liquids diet to follow or send us off with antibiotics and tell us to use Tylenol.  Its strange though, it always seems like she starts getting better the day of or after we see the Dr. like we just wasted a day at the Dr. for nothing.  I'm sure its better to be safe than sorry though.

So, in a nutshell, if my remedies and natural approaches don't help (which they usually do) and the suffering gets worse and goes past the normal point of the average cold or flu, then I start with meds and Dr.  

I hope this helps.