DEFINITION: TEMPERATURE OF LESS THAN 96ºF OR GREATER THAN 100ºF
Typically, fever is nothing to fear. It is the body’s natural sign that it may be fighting off illness or inflammation is present. Fever in a newborn, however, is something not to take lightly. Infants under 6 weeks old do not have well developed immune systems. Although often times fever is caused simply by over-bundling or a viral illness, if the fever is caused by a bacteria, it may progress to a bacterial blood stream infection and can even quickly lead to meningitis.
If your infant (under 6 weeks old) runs a fever, you should call the office or the physician-on-call immediately. For children older than 6 weeks, fever is not typically an emergency, however please do not hesitate to get in touch with the office if you have any concerns. Many fevers are a result of viral infections, and a simple dose of Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), if the child is uncomfortable, is all they need.
Please note, children under 6 months should only receive Tylenol, but if older than 6 months, either is fine. If the fever continues to be present or rise when the fever-reducer wears off, an office visit is warranted to look for an infectious source that may need treatment with antibiotics. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) typically can be given up to every 6 hours as needed. You may alternate Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) every 3 hours.
See chart below for appropriate Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen dosing.
Tylenol Dosing
| Weight (lbs) | Infants’ & Children’s Acetaminophen (Tylenol) (160mg/5mL) |
|---|---|
| 6-11 lbs | 1.25 ml |
| 12-17 lbs | 2.5 ml |
| 18-25 lbs | 3.75 ml |
| 24-35 lbs | 5 ml |
| 36-47 lbs | 7.5 ml |
| 48-59 lbs | 10 ml |
| 60-71 lbs | 12.5 ml |
| 72-95 lbs | 15 ml |
Ibuprofen Dosing
| Weight (lbs) | INFANTS (Ibuprofen) | CHILDREN'S (Ibuprofen) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months & older | 50mg-1.25ml | 100mg-5ml |
| 12-17 lbs | 1.25ml | 2.5ml |
| 18-23 lbs | 1.875ml | 3.75ml |
| 24-35 lbs | 2.5ml | 5ml |
| 36-47 lbs | 3.75ml | 7.5ml |
| 48-59 lbs | 5ml | 10ml |
| 60-71 lbs | 6.25ml | 12.5ml |
| 72-95 lbs | 7.5ml | 15ml |
WEBSITES
- AFTER HOURS ADVICE – This After Hours Advice link helps parents obtain quick answers to health issues that may arise suddenly while the office is closed. After assessing your child, you can decide whether to make an appointment when we are next in the office, call the office number to be connected with the after hour service (Perfect Serve) to speak directly with a physician on call, or go to the nearest Emergency Room/Urgent Care facility, if the situation is an emergency.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics
- Health Information for Children
- The Center for Disease Control
- Immunization Action Coalition
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Poison Control Centers
- GNO Immunization Bus
- Accountable Kids
- Ask Dr. Sears
- Strategies and Suport for ADHD & LD
- Dr. Sears Wellness Institute
- Fussy Baby Network
- Evidence-based Breastfeeding and Parenting
- Trained Doulas
- Dr. Jack Newman Breastfeeding Center
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed)-Toxnet-NIH
- Learn the Signs. Act Early. NCBDDD, CDC
BOOKS
- Your Child’s Health by Barton Schmitt
- Baby Bargains, an excellent guide for expectant parents…the latest information on Baby Gear
- Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber
- Caring for your Baby and Young Child Birth to Age 5 by Steven P. Shelov, M.D.
- Working and Caring by T. Berry Brazelton, M.D.
- Keys to Parenting Your Teenager by Don Fontenelle, PhD.
- Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn
- Accountable Kids by Scott W. Heaton, LMFT
- The Baby Book by William Sears, MD, Robert Sears, MD
- How to Talk so your Kids (or Teens) will Listen And Listen to Your Kids (or Teens) Will Talk by Adele Faber
- The Highly Sensitive Child by Elaine Aron
- Parenting from the Inside Out by Daniel J. Siegel, MD
- The Vaccine Book by Robert W. Sears, MD
