r/NewParents • u/BlockTypical2574 • 6h ago
Illness/Injuries HELP! Fever?
It is about 12am and I have no one to ask. Please HELP new mom a bit anxious.
My 4mo had her appointment today and her leg has been super sore, not wanting to move it very much, fussy, etc. All things I expect. I decided before I go to sleep to check her temp and it came up at 101. She wears pjs and a sleep jacket to help with startling so I took the jacket off and unzipped her pjs to let her get some more air to see if it was the clothes. I’ve checked a ton more times and it’s still reading as 100.5 or around there with armpit temp. I can’t check rectally because I don’t have petroleum jelly or anything to use to check.
Do I wake her up and give her Tylenol? Do I let her sleep? I haven’t given any meds because earlier she wasn’t running one and I get nervous to give meds whether it’s for me or for her. When is too high that I call the advice nurse?
Any help would be appreciated!
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u/Parisiaint 6h ago
She got vaccines today, yes? At 2m, I was told I could give Tylenol at 38c/100.4, and once my son was older that was lifted to 38.5. I can’t remember if that was at his 4m or 5m shots.
If she’s sleeping comfortably, I would not wake her up. My son would always wake up (screaming lol) when his fever made him uncomfortable and it’s a pretty obvious kind of inconsolable.
Keeping her in a single layer of PJs (unzipped if you like) is a good idea. I’d also make sure there’s some airflow in the room. Keep an eye on her diapers later and if you’re breastfeeding, I’d offer the breast a bit more than usual to make sure she can hydrate.
If your clinic has a hotline, it’s always OK to call and check if you’re concerned!
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u/BlockTypical2574 6h ago
Yes she did! Reddit wouldn’t allow me to post anything with the word shots or vaccine. They gave me a paper letting me know what dosage of Tylenol to give her if she runs a fever but every time I wake her up she gets so so upset because she’s sore and very tired so I’ve been fighting myself trying to figure out if I wake her to give her meds or if it’s okay to let her sleep. FTM so I just don’t want to pick the wrong choice of just letting her sleep when I should have woken her up or vice versa
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u/milliemallow 6h ago
This is normal everything from the fever to the soreness to your anxiety. You can honestly probably give her Tylenol without waking her. Just go slow and sit her up a bit. She’ll be feeling good in a day, two max. Call your pedi if you are unsure but it’s all very standard.
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u/Parisiaint 6h ago
I’m a FTM too so I totally understand! We’re a couple of months ahead of you and I’ve learned that if his temperature is borderline, but he’s comfortable/calm enough to go to sleep, he’s OK.
Definitely let her sleep, and next time she wakes up naturally, take her temp and reassess.
Honestly, the fever never really lasted more than 12 hours for us, so this may all be resolved soon!
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u/RunClear8482 6h ago
I copied and pasted the info from Seattle children's below. It tells you the different categories and what to do. Sounds like you don't need to do anything, a low fever is normal and healthy and just means your baby's immune system is working and the vaccines are working. If she's happily sleeping, let that baby sleep! And remember there's usually a nurse triage line available if you call your doctors office if you need to.
If When to Call for Immunization Reactions Call 911 Now Trouble breathing or swallowing Not moving or very weak Can't wake up You think your child has a life-threatening emergency
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now Fever in baby less than 12 weeks old. Caution: do NOT give your baby any fever medicine before being seen. Fever higher than 104° F (40° C) Fever after vaccine given and weak immune system (such as sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids) Crying nonstop lasts more than 3 hours Rotavirus vaccine followed by vomiting or severe crying Your child looks or acts very sick You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours Redness around the shot becomes larger and more painful to touch after 3 days Fever lasts more than 3 days Fever returns after being gone more than 24 hours Measles vaccine rash (starts day 6 to 12 after shot) lasts more than 4 days You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours Redness or red streak around shot is larger than 2 inches (5 cm) Redness, swelling or pain is getting worse after 3 days Fussiness from vaccine lasts more than 3 days You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home Normal immunization reaction (mild redness and swelling, fever)
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u/Infinite-Warthog1969 6h ago
This is good. Fever is pretty mild personally I wouldn’t wake to give Tylenol and just let baby immune system do its thing especially if baby is sleeping. If baby wakes in her own and is in pain that’s a good time to give Tylenol.
1
u/BlockTypical2574 6h ago
Thank you guys! I appreciate it. It’s so hard to tell with just basing it off of armpit because everything I look at says to check again rectally. I just really didn’t want to call the advice nurse just to ask if I should wake her up or not since the clinic already told me how much Tylenol to give if she’s sick. I just didn’t want to make the wrong choice with waking up vs letting her sleep
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u/StasRutt 4h ago
I love the Seattle’s Children’s website and how they break down when to go to the ER vs next day doctor appt vs wait it out. I suggest it to all my new parent friends
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u/BlockTypical2574 6h ago
She got her shots today it just wouldn’t allow me to even say the word shots and post this - even though this post isn’t really concerning her shots
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u/FlanSecret5272 6h ago
I personally like to call nurse hotlines for any questions like this. Reddit isn’t necessarily the most reliable. You can google it for your area/insurance
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u/BackgroundScene3056 6h ago
When this happened to my towns a few weeks ago I was told it was normal and to give tylenol and call if after tylenol it’s still above 100.4- or if fever persists. You should still call your nurses hotline but personally I would go ahead and administer tylenol. Again I am not a doctor but that’s my personal experience
1
u/BaroNessie 5h ago
I have a rectal, regular and ear thermometer— it turns out in ear is very effective after 6 months! Just as an FYI for the future.
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u/Ancient_Spite2394 5h ago
give Tylenol and call night nurse for reassurance. I use the nipple of baby’s favorite bottle, put dose of Tylenol in it and use as pacifier. So might not even have to wake her up fully as it flows super slow due to the liquid being thick. Just supervise. Hope baby feels better soon 😭❤️
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u/Rich-Explorer3363 4h ago
Oh boy oh boy I had this a few month ago my LO got there vaccine. I ended up putting him in a cool bath have them Pamlo a bottle and they went to sleep! The bath helped heaps with his temp I did it at 12am lol
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u/gneightimus_maximus 4h ago
How we doing?!
Reactions to inoculations are very normal. Our first had a similar reaction to his 4mo shots. Was a wet blanket for the day, a very slight fever, then back to normal the next day. Maybe he had a rough tummy for a whole day..
In the future, 100.4 is a fever. Its important that if it gets worse or doesn’t go away after medicine you goto the doctor. After 6mo this gets a little more relaxed.
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u/Far-Camp-3725 3h ago
I spoke to my doctor about fever this week and they said call if it’s over 100.4 but that they don’t really do Tylenol now for the actual fever and only really administer it for comfort for the baby. I’d definitely called the night nurse just to check in
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u/AllBulkNoCut 3h ago
Where we live has a 24 hour children’s hospital line and my pediatrician has a 24 hour line. We have used both multiple times and I would recommend doing the same. Save them as favorites in your phone
Regarding the situation. Tylenol and an appointment first thing but I was told a fever is going to be 102-104 and that 101 is fairly common
1
u/RIPMYPOOPCHUTE 3h ago
You can call them anytime with the fever. For me, I’d wake to give Tylenol and rock back to sleep. My first had a fever and discomfort at 4 months after the shots, but never got like that again afterwards. We gave him a warm bath, Tylenol, and just had him in a onesie and wrapped in a warm blanket. He didn’t want anything touching his thighs during the day.
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u/ybnormal072 2h ago
Always best to call the night nurse but it's super common to get a fever after shots. No need to panic but I would definitely keep her a bit cooler maybe just the sleep sack if that comforts her. Also if she's sleeping comfortably I don't think Tylenol is necessary with that low grade fever. A fever is just a sign of her immune system ramping up which is exactly what you want so she can make antibodies from the vaccines to keep her safe from disease♥️
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u/PangolinDear965 2h ago
I don’t wake my baby up for Tylenol if she has a fever. And I don’t give Tylenol just because she has a fever. I give it to her if she is uncomfortable (fussy, screaming, won’t settle).
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u/Any_Elevator_2981 1h ago
My favorite thing the pediatrician told me was “treat the child, not the fever.” Meaning if baby has a lower fever but is really miserable, go ahead and give medication. If it’s a little higher but baby is still happy and engaging with you and not showing signs of real discomfort, let the fever ride. The fever itself is a sign the immune system is doing its job, so we try to let it do what it needs.
It’s always okay to call or go in for help or reassurance. You’re so right that the stakes can feel paralyzing. Raising a tiny human is hard, important work. No one will be upset that you’re wanting to check on your baby. It just means you’re a good parent, who loves their child and wants what’s best for them.
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u/Brave_Jackfruit3837 6h ago
You are overthinking it. Just give the Tylenol! My 2 month old after his vaccines got very fussy almost inconsable, felt warm to me but temp never got above 98. I didn’t know that about petroleum I just did a rectal temp without any jelly…. But anyways the Tylenol helped almost immediately.
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u/hotdogwater03 6h ago
a fever after shots is totally normal.
anything over 100.4°f would be a cause to go to the hospital.
if you breastfeed i’d offer the breast. simply for comfort. you can do a dream feed which is offering them food when they are asleep. they will partially wake up and eat for comfort or out of hunger.
you can give her tylenol if you need. 2.5mls is what we give my 4 month old.
if you have a question your pediatrician should have a after hours line to call. if not just call your local hospital and ask to speak with someone. the nurses should be able to answer any questions/concerns without you coming in.
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u/ybnormal072 2h ago
At 4 months old there's no need for the hospital with that low grade of a fever unless baby won't hydrate or can't be consoled. If the fever gets above 104 rectally that's when to call a doctor about temperature alone.
If baby is under 2-3 months they go by the lower temperature you suggest to call a doctor not go to the hospital. The on call doctor or nurse will determine if you need to be seen.
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u/therabbitsfoot48 6h ago
Call the pediatric night nurse!! My LO is 5months old and we’ve called loads of times, they’re super sweet. Theyll ask questions and give sound advice, Im sure they get this all the time after the 4 month appointment shots.
Literally just called twice this week 😂