- The Mommy
- Posts
- 6 Tips to Help Your Child's Fever
6 Tips to Help Your Child's Fever
“There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one."
- Jill Churchill
Good Morning Mommy! Wow, Wednesday is here again - they sure don't call it 'hump day' for nothing. Today, we're tackling some pretty intense adventures from the mommy world. Buckle up, let's dive right in!
Today’s Mommy scoop:
Tips to handle those scary temperature spikes
A novel way to address your child's peanut allergies
Making emergency funds fun and doable
Avoiding the common blunders for happier parenting
Healthy Habits
Fever Fears: Smart Moves for Your Child's Temperature Spikes
1. Medication: To Use or Not to Use?
If your child's fever is mild and they seem well otherwise, you might choose to let it run its course.
However, acetaminophen (for babies over 3 months) or ibuprofen (for babies over 6 months) can help relieve discomfort. Remember, these medications mask symptoms rather than breaking the fever.
2. Food: Don't Starve a Fever
Contrary to the old saying, "Feed a cold, starve a fever," children with a fever should maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
Nourished kids are better equipped to fight infections.
3. Hydration: Keep it Flowing
Fever sweats can dehydrate a child, so offer plenty of water. If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea, an electrolyte drink is a better choice.
4. Dress Code: Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold
Avoid overdressing your child or covering them in thick blankets, which can cause the temperature to rise even more.
5. Lukewarm Compress: A Soothing Solution
If your child can't keep the medicine down due to vomiting, a lukewarm compress can help lower their core temperature.
6. When to Call the Doctor
Consider your child's age, the duration of the fever, and any other symptoms. For example, newborns up to 3 months with a fever of 100.4°F or higher should see a doctor.
Also, if your child has other symptoms like repeated vomiting, severe ear pain, or signs of dehydration, it's time to call your practitioner.
The Mom Lab
Peanut Allergy? Skin Patch to the Rescue!
Ever wished for a magic shield to protect your peanut-allergic toddler from accidental exposure?
Well, science is here with a promising solution: a year-long immunotherapy skin patch.
Let's talk peanuts - a word that can strike fear into the hearts of many moms.
We've all experienced the anxiety of playdates, parties, or simply any place where food is involved. Those pesky peanuts could be lurking anywhere!
But breathe easy, because there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon: a skin patch, tested in a global clinical trial.
This trial, which included children aged 1-3 years, involved some heavy-hitters in the pediatric world, including the esteemed Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.
The trial tested the patch's ability to help kids with peanut allergies develop a tolerance to peanuts.
The results? Pretty Amazing!
"Children who originally reacted to a small fraction of a peanut were able to tolerate the equivalent of one to four peanuts after completing the treatment course.”
Not only is this a huge stride towards protecting them from accidental exposure, but it also offers a much-needed solution for peanut-allergic kids under four, for whom no treatments were approved till now.
Now, what about the safety of this magic patch? The researchers say it's as safe as a teddy bear's hug with very low chances of causing a severe allergic reaction.
How often do you cook meals at home each week?-> Vote to reveal what other moms think |
Budget Diapers & College Dreams
Say 'Hola!' to Your Cash Cushion: An Emergency Fund 101
Have you ever heard of the term "emergency fund"?
Sounds a little intense, right? But, it's just a fancy term for a dedicated pool of money to deal with life's (not so funny) surprises.
"I got 99 problems but money ain't one!” - No matter who we are, curveballs can and will head our way, like that unexpected vet bill after Fluffy decided to snack on your toddler's favorite toy!
An emergency fund helps you tackle these moments head-on, without breaking a sweat.
How Much Money Are We Talking Here? The ideal is to have enough to cover three to six months of expenses, but it’s okay if that sounds like a fairy tale right now.
Start small, even saving a little is better than not saving at all.
Where's the Best Place to Stash the Cash? Find a spot that's easy to get to but not too easy (we're looking at you, late-night online shopping!).
High-yield savings accounts or money market accounts work great - you can dip in when needed, but it's not so accessible that you're tempted to splurge on a whim.
Alright, I'm Sold. But How Do I Get This Cash Cushion Going?
Try the "sinking fund" method - decide how much you can spare each month, set up an automatic transfer, and sit back as your financial safety net grows.
A bit like watching your kid’s LEGO tower rise, except less painful when you step on it!
So ladies, remember this isn't a race, it's more like a game of 'Mother May I?'.
Start small, save steadily, and you'll be sleeping easier knowing you have a financial safety net!
The Family Circus
Banishing 8 Parenting Pitfalls for Stronger Bonds
Building unbreakable bonds with our children is a life's work, often filled with laughter, tears, and countless diaper changes.
But like navigating a playroom in the dark (ouch, legos again?!), some common missteps might make the journey more challenging than it needs to be.
The TMI Timebomb: "Oversharing" was once a term for chatty neighbors, but it's infiltrated our parenting too.
Children find it embarrassing when we overshare about them online. Before posting those charmingly messy dinner photos, maybe we should ask them first.
Snowplow Gone Wrong: While helping with your child's school project might seem helpful, it can hold them back.
Our role, as the lovely Cheryl Kennedy, M.D., suggests, is to guide, not do.
The Rescue Reflex: We all want to be the superhero mom who rescues her kid from every trouble. But frequent rescuing might prevent them from developing essential problem-solving skills.
Helicopter Havoc: Constantly hovering over your kid's life can hinder their independence. Stepping back can be tough but think of it as an investment in their future mental health.
"Not everyone deserves a trophy just for showing up. When we allow our children to fail, we teach them about resilience."
Balance is Best: Extreme parenting - either too strict or too lax - strains relationships. Respect their feelings and help them find their own solutions.
No Cheap Wins: Letting kids win all the time may seem supportive, but it doesn't teach resilience.
The Comparison Trap: Comparing your child to their siblings strains relationships and undermines their individuality.
Live-and-let-dream: Let your kids pursue their own dreams, not yours. Your little ballerina may prefer a telescope to a tutu. That's okay!
Mom’s Meme 🤣
Subscribe to Exclusive Membership to read the rest.
Become a paying subscriber of Exclusive Membership to get access to this post and other subscriber-only content.
Already a paying subscriber? Sign In
Reply