At what point should I be worried about poorly 12w/o

[SleepDeprived3103]

Hello,

Looking for some advice for poorly 12 week old…

DS1 (2 yrs) came down with Hand foot and mouth last week - he had a high temp for one night and the relevant spots/ulcers for five/six days, he was grisly/miserable and off his food for the most part but much brighter now. However now DS2 appears to have it - we noticed a raging temp in the high 38s two nights ago and the same spots come up on his hands/groin and feet, although fortunately they don’t seem quite as raised nor in his mouth like our eldest. I phoned 111 at the time and spoke to an OOO GP who was very nice but pretty much just said to let it run its course, and to take comfort in the fact the fever is doing its job and if he’s hot it means the heat is escaping his body.

However, the thing I’m most worried about is his temperature…we use the Braun in-ear (we also have a forehead and underarm but both seem to deliver wildly varying/inaccurate readings) and it’s been hovering between 37.5-38.5. We’re giving him calpol but we’re almost on day three so I’m thinking we need to get him seen. Even when his temp is in a normal range he is absolutely burning up and roasting hot. He’s a very small baby and unfortunately doesn’t quite weigh the 5kg limit the NHS site recommends for ibuprofen (although from experience DS1 always spat it out and much preferred calpol).

I know it’s supposed to be temps over 39 for his age range but today he has just pretty much slept the entire day on me, and woken either by the noise of our toddler or me waking him for feeds. Yesterday he was much happier in himself and smiling but today he’s just rested - which I guess is a good thing? I know when I feel rotten all I want to do is sleep. He’s had plenty of wet nappies (in fact they’re incredibly full) and soft spot feels fine so I’m not worried about dehydration at this stage but I’m just so anxious about to go into another night shift with him.

DS1 had a febrile seizure a few months ago and we got such contrasting info on how to cope with fevers from different drs in hospital - some said dress lightly, others said dress normally, some said give a bath, others (and nhs site) says don’t sponge down etc etc…

to top it off I recently stopped breastfeeding for various reasons so feeling all sorts of mum guilt that if I still was he’d be protected by my antibodies.

at what point should I be worried? He seems to be finding it harder to shift than DS1 but I’m guessing that’s down to age/immature immune system…

When you give calpol does his temperature come down? When you wake him up is he alert?

Phone 111 again. If your instinct says he's getting much worse, take him to hospital. He is tiny.

Call 111, a tennis normal when poorly but children shouldn't have a temp for more than 4 days.

Oh bless you, it's so scary when they're that little. I'd want to see a dr to put my mind at ease so I'd be calling 111 again and/or going to hospital. Hope he feels better soon!

Personally I wouldn't bother with 111 just take him to peads A&E or a walk in a f you have one nearby.

I'd also ring 111 or try and get him seen. your instinct is telling you something and combined with the fact he's so young, better to be check.

re breastfeeding, my youngest was poorly from
from August to Christmas last year! (and was bf) Yes they get antibodies, but they still get ill. it is hard when bf doesn't work out though so sending hugs lovely. ❤️

Thanks all, have phoned 111 again and waiting on another call from ooo gp; will keep you posted xx

@Changeiscomingthisyear yes it is coming down with calpol, currently 37.3 but he still feels roasting hot, is that normal? He’s very much alert when awake - currently screaming the place down poor thing.

@Changeiscomingthisyear how are things today?

OP is @SleepDeprived3103

@SleepDeprived3103 it sounds normal to me but if you’re worried or if he is not alert then go to A and E. Our local children A and E doctors says to everyone “if Mum is worries then I’m worried”.

so it is, sorry 😂