The first time your baby or young child gets sick can be a scary time. When they are too young to communicate what’s wrong, it can be difficult to know how to act and how serious the problem might be. If you do not know what your baby needs, first make sure that all their physical needs are addressed. Check to make sure they have been well fed, have a clean diaper, and are in a comfortable position. If they continue crying for several hours and you still cannot decipher their cries, take their temperature and visit AllKids Gilbert Pediatric Urgent Care for further advice on the next steps to take.
Self-Diagnosing
The first step in determining if your child is fussing due to illness is finding out if they have a fever. For newborns and children under 3 months old, take their temperature using a rectal thermometer. If the thermometer reads above 100.4 degrees for newborns (or 102 degrees for children 4 months and older), it is best to take your child to a doctor. Fever symptoms can indicate a whole slew of illnesses, which is why taking your child to see your primary care physician is critical when they have a fever.
To help make your child more comfortable through a period of illness or until you can get in to see your doctor, certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications made specially for children can be quite useful. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen will help reduce fever and pain, making your child more comfortable and helping them get some sleep. It is very important however that the right dosage be used when giving children pain medications to prevent overdosing and improper treatment.
Administering Medication to Children
While most medicine bottles have dosage instructions on the bottle, there a few key factors to be aware of that may determine how you treat and diagnose your child.
NEVER give Ibuprofen to children younger than 6 months old.
NEVER give Aspirin to children of any age UNLESS given explicit permission from your doctor. Aspirin has been known to cause severe liver damage in some circumstances.
Most other OTC medications contain some form of acetaminophen or ibuprofen, so tell your child’s doctor about other medications your child is taking before giving them additional ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
If your child has any reactions or side effects to the medication you have given them, take them to the emergency room or call poison control.
The providers at AllKids Gilbert Pediatric Urgent Care are here to help you treat and diagnose your child’s illnesses. We are committed to providing excellent service and getting your family back to full health. Contact us with your questions by phone at (480)633-1111. For more information on precise dosage instructions, download the attached dosage guides and hang them inside your medicine cabinet for quick and easy reference.