AIBU to not know how to treat my babies fever?

[PlainJane28]

Sorry if this is the wrong section for this but desperate times lead to desperate measures.

My son is 13 months old, and last Tuesday he had the MMR vaccine. I read the leaflet and expected a fever so gave him calpol straight away.

We are on day 7, yes SEVEN now of him having a fever and not only do I feel for the poor sausage, I’m exhausted.

He is having all 4 of his 5ml dosages he is allowed, plus an extra dose of ibuprofen if needed in between if needed but it still keeps on coming back.

He gets to around 38.6 then goes down to around 36.9 then after an hour or so starts creeping back up again even sometimes before the next dose can be had.

I don’t mean to be one of those mums but it’s killing me having to put all this medication in his little body and a week is feeling like a long time too.

Now other than the fever he seems fine, playing, drinking his bottles, eating, wet nappies but it’s just this god damn fever we can’t shift.

Went to the GP today and she was useless with advice. Checked his mouth, tongue, ears, urine, chest and said all is fine and to continue with what I’m doing.. but for how much longer?

Anyone been in the same situation or know any other options that I have? I’ve tried stripping him down to just a T-shirt or nappy, giving him as much fluids as he will possibly take, checking his temp regularly etc.

Thanks in advance
First time (going out of my mind) mum

Bumping so someone in the know might help

Check out the nhs website. As the MMR is 3 separate vaccines which all get released at different times the side effects can happen over a period of time,and a week is completely normal,sometimes side effects will happen up to 3-4 weeks afterwards. It is tough to see your little one going through that,but not as tough as seeing them suffer with an illness that is preventable,stick with the pain relief and hopefully the end will be in sight soon. Side effects to the second injection are usually less severe you'll probably be pleased to know!

I think you are doing all the right things.

My only advice would be to give him ibuprofen when you are going to bed as it is longer lasting so will help control his fever overnight.

Ibuprofen is better at lowering temps I find.

When he has a fever strip him to his nappy or take off top and give him skin to skin which might help regulate his temperature x

NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) guidance is not to medicate for fever alone: only give meds to reduce temperature if your child is also distressed. If he’s fine in himself without paracetamol/ibuprofen then why not give them a miss and see how he does?

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg160/chapter/1-Recommendations#advice-for-home-care

1.6.3 Drug interventions to reduce body temperature

1.6.3.1 Consider using either paracetamol or ibuprofen in children with fever who appear distressed. [new 2013]

1.6.3.2 Do not use antipyretic agents with the sole aim of reducing body temperature in children with fever. [new 2013]

1.6.3.3 When using paracetamol or ibuprofen in children with fever:

continue only as long as the child appears distressed

consider changing to the other agent if the child's distress is not alleviated

do not give both agents simultaneously

only consider alternating these agents if the distress persists or recurs before the next dose is due. [new 2013]

Dont give him skin to skin as this will make him hotter.

Do not strip him off either, as this gives the body a chill.

Just a thin layer of clothing is ok, like a vest or a tshirt and thin trousers / shorts, depending on weather...

If he is otherwise well and just running a bit hot then I would be tempted to stop taking his temperature and only give paracetamol and ibuprofen if you feel he actually needs it.

It may be that the fever needs to be allowed to do its thing. There's a good NHS article below about not worrying too much about fevers.

www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/advice-for-managing-child-fever/

My son rode a 40 degree fever for 10 days after his mmr. Yes ten whole days! It was miserable.

Keep him in as little clothing as you can, keep up with the meds. this will pass I promise! Calprofen will be better for keeping his fever down but harder on the stomach so I would advise alternating.

Apparently the stomach thing isn’t quite as bad in infants. They have several more linings than adults, according to my local paed at hospital.