Baby's first high fever...

[bbernardini]

Well, not really a "baby" anymore, since he's about 17 1/2 months old now. We took him out to the pool at the Y today before it gets far too hot to go outside at all (we live in SE Pennsylvania). When we got back, he started getting lethargic and napped on the sofa for about 30 minutes. He's had a fever (101-102) and doesn't want anything to eat or drink. The going theory is that the extremes of going from the house to the heat outside to the cold (seriously, it seemed way too cold) pool, to the warm car and back in the cool house did a number on him.

We gave him some Tylenol, and eventually, it was hard to tell if he was still lethargic because he didn't feel well, or because it was almost two hours past his bedtime. :)

(P.S. to the mods: I'm NOT looking for medical advice. Just venting, as this is probably the first time this has really happened to him.)

[Orrex]

1. Our two boys likewise held out a long time before their first fevers

Have you spoken with his pediatrician? She/he might recommend bringing the child in for a check-up on Monday. Ours told us to go straight to the ER if their fevers didn't come down.

Thankfully, they did!


I hope that your little boy feels better soon!

[MorningGlow]

2. Aw, so sorry to hear that

It's scary when the wee ones get so sick they aren't their usual active selves, isn't it? Been there, done that, got the 4 ft. high trophy for "surviving child's myriad illnesses and not ending up in a straitjacket".

Make sure he stays hydrated and keep giving him Tylenol (says mama MG who just got back from the emergency department for Jr's session with an IV). Hope he bounces back soon--for his health and your peace of mind. :hug:

[bbernardini]

3. Yeah, it's the hydration part that's tricky.

He didn't want anything to eat or drink before he went to bed, and he was rather insistent on that particular matter. He had consumed enough liquid for several children this morning and early afternoon, though, so he's probably okay in that regard.

[MorningGlow]

4. I have been queen of the ice chips this past week!

MG Jr. is a barfer, so it's a touchy business. The one good thing I did learn from Jr's recent stomach virus/emergency visit, though, is that although doctors say Pedialyte is best, they know it tastes like shit and recognize that kids will likely reject it outright. I don't feel so inadequate as a mother now that I've seen a pediatric resident roll her eyes at the mention of that stuff!
:rofl:

You're right that he's okay for a while regarding fluids, especially if he's not vomiting and doesn't have diarrhea. The good doctors at the hospital said that little kids can go several days without much food and to focus on getting them bits of liquid at a time (hence the ice chips) until they perk up.

[LeftyMom]

5. If hydration seems to be an issue, fruit juice popsicles are a lifesaver.

I'm sure some kid gets too sick for a popsicle, but I've never yet met one in that sorry state.

[Fleshdancer]

6. The first high fever sucks!

I freaked the hell out when my daughter had her first temp spike.

What I don't understand is that I've been told on a few occasions that babies can withstand a higher fever than adults, but I don't know when this is no longer the case. At what age does a fever beyond 102 become dangerous??

[applegrove]

7. Poor baby. Hope he gets well soon.

[bbernardini]

9. UPDATE: He's getting there.

He's having a bit of a "mommy" day, in which I'm not good enough. :) But he's drinking and eating normally, and took a pretty long nap today, so I think he's getting better.

[monmouth]

8. Molars might be coming in. Baby's the right age...Boy I remember that!..