A moderate fever is not a matter of great concern, as this is how the body activates the defence mechanism against infection. Usually, a toddler can easily handle a body temperature up to 100 degrees. Most often, such a mild fever can be dealt with using home remedies.
Home Remedies to Treat your Toddler’s Fever
At times you may find yourself in a dilemma of whether to take your child to a doctor or not when the temperature is mild. On top of that, you may have to wake up in the middle of the night to console your baby if she is crying or in discomfort due to fever. In either case, it’s better to be ready for the unexpected, and that’s when home remedies come to your rescue. Following are some home remedies for fever in one-year-olds and above.
1. Onion
Onion is an integral part of the Indian kitchen, but did you know that it also has the medicinal values to reduce fever?
What You Need
A couple of thin slices of onion.
What to Do
Rub 2-3 thin slices of onion on the back of your child’s feet. Repeat this twice a day for better results.
2. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is one of the best natural remedies for fever in a toddler.
What You Need
Chamomile tea leaves and honey.
What to Do
Bring some water to boil and soak chamomile tea leaves in it for about a minute. Add honey to it and feed a few drops of it to your child, twice a day.
3. Raisins
Raisins are a rich source of antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It helps in fighting against infections, causing the temperature to drop down.
What You Need
All you need is a handful of raisins (20-25, to be precise), a tablespoon of lime juice, ½ cup of water.
What to Do
Soak all the raisins in a ½ cup of water for about an hour. Crush them once they become soft and strain the liquid. Add lime juice to it for better results. Feed this tonic to your child twice a day and see the magic.
4. Sponge Bath With Warm Water
Bath your toddler with warm water to reduce the temperature. Sponge bath provides a soothing effect to the body, helping your child to feel at ease. However, ensure that the water is warm enough, so she doesn’t shiver. If you notice shiver in your toddler, then take her out of the bathtub and dry her immediately.
What You Need
Warm water in a tub and a sponge.
What to Do
Don’t use cold water. Prepare a tub full of warm water to let your baby sit in. As soon as the water starts to evaporate through the skin, it will lower the temperature
5. Electrolyte solutions
Sometimes, a fever may induce diarrhoea or vomiting in the toddler, causing your child to lose essential salts, minerals, and nutrients from her body. Experts advise that you make use of electrolyte solutions to replenish the lost fluids from the body. You can easily avail these electrolyte solutions from your local drug store.
What You Need
A sachet of ORS solution.
What to Do
Pour the content of electrolyte solution in 1 litre of water or as prescribed on it. Ensure that you keep feeding your child this solution at frequent intervals.
6. Ginger Bath
Ginger is known for its medicinal values and can eliminate bad bacteria which are responsible for fever. Ginger bath, induces sweating which facilitates expelling heat and toxins.
What You Need
2 tablespoons of ginger powder, a bathtub and warm water.
What to Do
Add ginger powder to the bathtub filled with warm water. Stir the powder well in the water. Place your child in the bathtub and let her stay in it until she starts to sweats. Ensure that the water is not too hot. Keep it at a lukewarm temperature.
7. Mustard Oil and Garlic Massage
Mustard oil and garlic, both of these are known for their medicinal properties. A mixture of mustard oil and garlic is one of the best home remedies for fever in toddlers of the 2 years old age group.
What You Need
2 tablespoons of mustard oil and 1 tablespoon of garlic paste.
What to Do
Mix 2 tablespoons of mustard oil to 1 tablespoon of garlic paste. After that, wait 2 minutes for it to settle. Then, gently massage on your child’s feet, palms, neck, chest, and back, just before bedtime.
8. Lemon juice With Honey
Lemon is known for its immunity-boosting qualities, and honey for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Lemon juice mixed with honey is a powerful remedy against flu and fever. This remedy is only for children above 12 months of age. Refrain from giving honey as a home remedy for fever for a one-year-old.
What You Need
1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of honey.
What to Do
Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to a spoonful of honey. Mix well before feeding it to your little one.
When to Consult a Doctor
These home remedies can do wonders for a mild fever in babies. However, the condition may be more serious in some cases, so consult a doctor if you notice these symptoms in your child.
- A temperature higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- Irritable throughout the day and is unable to sleep
- A fever that lasts more than three days
- Seems to be listless, unresponsive, or has trouble maintaining eye contact with you
- Refuses to feed or eat or is unable to
- A cold and cough that lasts more than three days
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea or vomiting that persists
- Convulsions or seizures
- A skin rash that is unusual (not due to heat)
A fever is a common occurrence among toddlers, but it might also be an underlying symptom of problems such as ear infection, teething, tonsillitis, measles, flu, etc. You can deal with a mild fever in toddlers with the help of home remedies without any complications. Home remedies are good when compared to allopathy, as most often they don’t have any side-effects on one’s body.
