What to do when baby has temp

[yellowflowers]

Dd (11mo) has been grumpy all day. She did eat and drink normally though. This evening she's been fretful and also full of fart. I've not actually got a thermometer to hand bit she feels warm. Not horribly so but warmer than usual. I'm going to open window a crack as room feels a bit stuffy, but should you give calpol as a matter of course if baby has temp as paracetemol lowers temp? She's currently on the breast as I write this but I was thinking after she's fed to settle her and then give calpol in night if she wakes and is still hot. Is that the right thing to do?

I do not know, but if I were in your position I would probably try to settle her first and then as you say give her it if she wakes. I was told to test temp by the back of their neck. I have also been advised to reduce a high temp by paracetamol even if no sign of exact illness but I think that is just if the high temp would lead on to a fit or something, ie if she is dangerously hot (not as you describe) so I think that is poss the only time you would use calpol without obvious illness. IYSWIM? hth

I personally try to avoid giving drugs where not necessary. Sounds like you could get away with it here.

If she is hot and unsettled I would give her paracetamol if she wakes again. Grumpiness and a temperature are pretty good signs of something brewing and early paracetamol may keep it at bay. It will do her no harm.

Thanks. Will try to settle her and try calpol if she keeps waking. She got three new teeth this week but I thought we were through that as she was ok last night.

I would give it to her before she settles. Young children are prone to fits if temp goes to high. Dds temp always seemed to go up in the night and unless they wake or I do, you don't notice.
I would also strip down to vest and only use light sheet.
If she gets worse strip to nappy, open window and keep fluids up.

Ah you've scared me now lisad123. Have given her calpol.

Didn't mean to scare sorry

Not at all - I think it was the right thing. She seems fine this morning but is rubbing gums so I guess that's it

Calpol will not keep an illness away or make it better. It simply lowers the temperature or gives pain relief. The body will fight off whatever bug is there and the fever actually helps the body to do that so unless it is actuslly bothering them then it is better to just let it run it's course.

Also, high temperatures do not cause febrile convulsions (fits) - it is the rapid temperature rise that can cause them and although they are scary to see they do not cause any long term damage. Most people whose children have had one will tell you that they usually happen before you even realise that they're sick so it isn't recommended to give paracetemol to try to prevent them. (NICE guidelines)

Glad she's feeling better this morning. It's great how quickly they can bounce back at that age! :)

Paracetomol stops the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and prostaglandins cause inflammation, so paracetomol can work to limit the impact of an infection. So technically it can "make it better" to a certain extent.