DD's first fever - what do I do?

[ArtichokeTagine]

My DD is 8 months. She has never been ill before. She has been snotty all day and during the course of the afternoon she developed a nappy rash. She has refused her dinner (which has never happened) and feels hot. Her temp (be ear reading) is 38.3. She has no rash and no other symptoms except being grumpy.

My DH is away so I am on my own and nervous. Should I give her calpol? Should I put her to bed like normal? Should I check her temp in the night? At what temp should I call the Dr?

She is breastfed and is refusing water and juice but will feed a little on the breast.

Sounds like she might be teething?
I would give her some calpol to bring the temperature down and put her to bed as normal and check her in the night

Give her some Calpol - get one of those syringe things, much easier than trying to give it on a spoon.

Does sound like teething. My DD got horrible nappy rash and runny nose when she was getting her first few teeth.

38.8 isn't that high, but high enough to give calpol. Put her to bed as normal and check on her regularly, every 4 hours or so. If she has a temp during the night, give calpol given as directed by the instructions on the box and offer her bfing or water.

It sounds like it's just a cold, so try not to worry. You only need to call the doctor if you can't control her temperature or if she develops other symptoms that worry you.

Thanks fir advice. Just put her to bed. Her temp was going up so I gave her calpol and but her in light PJs. She was really screaming as I changed her but I think that was exhaustion as she calmed down when I fed her. Her nappy rash is red with raised white lumps - the worst she has ever had. Could this all be teeth? Her first 2 came through no probs.

Can I just ask 2 questions:

1. When you check them in the night do you take their temp? Won't this wake her?

1. What temp is a "high" fever that concerns you?

I wouldn't wake her in the night. Just go in and see if she's okay - ie not been sick, not boiling hot, maybe just lightly put your hand on her forehead?

Febrile convulsions can start from 39.3, so anything below that wouldn't overly worry me.

You can give infant nurofen as well as calpol if you need to (this is what NHS direct will recommend if you phone them), and if necessary sponge with cool (but not cold) flannel and strip her off. I only did this with dd when her temp was over 40.