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Home Remedies for Children's FEVER
- Fevers can be distressing for parents as well as their
children. Try to remain calm and be reassuring. Stay
with your child as much as possible, perhaps reading
him books and stories. Many children regress when
they are ill and need to be indulged for a short while.
- Give plenty of fluids or sips of water at frequent
intervals to avoid any risk of dehydration. Mineral
water, lemon and honey or diluted fresh fruit juices,
warmed or cold, are best. Carrot juice is a good
choice for feverish children.
- Breastmilk is ideal for a nursing baby and may even
enhance his resistance to the infection.
- Older babies or children who are reluctant to drink
may suck ice cubes, a sponge or a flannel.
- Sponge your child down with tepid water if he is
uncomfortably hot and sweaty or if the fever goes
aboye 103/104°p (40°c).
- Apply a cool compress (a flannel soaked in cold water
and squeezed out will do) to the forehead and lower
back. Repeat when the flannel gets warm.
- Remove all extra clothing and bedding, then cover
with a light cotton sheet. Don't mistake shivering for
a sign that your child is cold - the body is simply
trying to get rid of the fever. As his temperature
cools, the shivering will stop.
- Most children with a fever are not hungry. Fasting
with fluids for a day or two is fine as it allows the
body to channel its energy reserves into fighting the
infection and focus on recovery. Fevers can be
exhausting, so build strength afterwards with plain
nutritious foods--vegetabe soups, lightly buttered
wholemeal toast, rice, fresh fruits and natural live
yoghurt.
- For children over 6 months old: add cooling Lavender,
Eucalyptus or Tea Tree essence to some sponging
down water. These oils can also be added to tepid
baths, providing your child does not drink from the
bath water.
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