A common misconception about babies who have a fever or have started to have teeth, is the idea that one of these things causes the other. Teething can actually cause pain in infants which may lead them to be irritable during this time as well. But luckily for parents with an infant experiencing both at once, it’s not because they’re getting sicker!
Teething may give babies a fever, but not always
As any parent knows, babies often get fevers. But when it comes to teething and fever symptoms – not so much. Babies may end up with a little bit of an upset stomach or red cheeks from drooling too much but they don’t always develop a fever while teething. Fevers are not usually linked to teething, according to Dr. Rachel Vreeman, an Indianapolis doctor. Indeed, she claims that there isn’t enough evidence to establish that the two are completely unrelated.
What Causes Fever in Babies?
It is not uncommon for babies to get a fever, but it can be difficult knowing the cause. It’s important to know that a fever is the body’s response to infection. The temperature is increased in order to kill any bacteria. This method of “heating” the illness seems to work best in small children and babies, whose immune system still needs help fighting off infections. A baby with a fever should be kept under close observation for signs of serious illness, such as rapid breathing or deep sleep. You can also gauge if your child has a fever by touching her forehead or wrist (oral temperature) and noting first thing in the morning before he gets out of bed when it was taken last night when he goes to bed if you are concerned about low temperatures at nighttime.
Parents need to know if their baby needs medical attention or just time with more fluids and rest. The bottom line is: Does your child have any other symptoms besides fever such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea etc.? If so then contact your pediatrician immediately! However there are some things you could do at home like give them plenty of liquids which will help bring down temperature while also keeping them hydrated and comfortable where they’re resting comfortably on an elevated surface – nursing mothers should always keep breastmilk on hand since breastfeeding has been shown to decrease risk factors associated with fevers from teeth.
When you need to see doctor?
If you’re worried about your baby’s fever, the first few hours are crucial for evaluating whether your child needs to see a doctor.
If your child is vomiting, lethargic or has a high fever (1oC or above), it’s time to make an appointment with their doctor. Sometimes the type of infection driving the fever may be serious enough to merit hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics and even other treatments like dialysis in extreme situations.
Here are some things you can do right now at home if you want to give peace of mind before heading off: Offer fluids either by offering oral rehydration fluid or water; Try acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce temperature.
