How to Treat Baby Fever

Always seek help from a healthcare professional if any of the below are TRUE:

• the baby is less than one year old;
• temperature has remained high for longer than 48 hours;
• temperature is above 39^oC;
• fever is accompanied by any other severe symptom such as breathing difficulties, stomach pain or difficulty passing urine;
• the fever develops suddenly and they seem to have a stiff neck, vomiting, appear sensitive to light or have a rash;
• if any symptoms last for more than three days;
• the infant is taking medication;
• the infant has had a convulsion.

As well as choosing the right pain relief medication you can help a feverish infant by:

• keep them hydrated, particularly if they are sweating;
• if they are refusing food, a liquid diet of pureed foods will help keep their energy levels up;
• don't let a feverish baby get chilled, ensure the room is not too cold and cover with light layers.

Since babies bodies deal with medicines differently to adults, many drugs are not suitable for infants. Some should be avoided because they may potentially cause serious side effects. For example, there is thought be a link between the use of aspirin and a rare condition known as Reye's syndrome and because of the potential risk, children under the age of 16 should not be given aspirin, unless prescribed by a doctor.

However, there are still plenty of paracetamol or ibuprofen-based products to choose from, specially designed for babies and children.

You may well be familiar with the brand Disprol. It is a paracetamol-based pain-reliever designed specially for babies and children and is made by the same company as Bonjela Teething Gel.

There are two formats to choose from:

Disprol Paracetamol Suspension is a pleasant banana-flavoured liquid medicine or Disprol Soluble Paracetamol Tablets can be dissolved in water. Both are sugar-free formulations and are suitable for children from the age of 3 months onwards for the relief of mild to moderate pain, the symptoms of colds/'flu/teething and feverishness. It can be given to babies aged 2 months for the relief of fever following immunization, but only with the advice of a doctor. Always read the label and ask your pharmacist for advice. Click here to find out more.

In some other cases Disprol may be given to babies under the age of 3 months, but only upon the advice of a doctor.

Nurofen for Children is an ibuprofen based pain reliever which can get to work to reduce fever in just 15 minutes. An effective way to help make your child feel better, fast. It reduces fever for up to 8 hours, is effective but kind - and it can be used to treat babies as young as 3 months. Nurofen for Children is sugar free and colour free and has a pleasant orange flavour. It's also the only children's painkiller that comes with an easy-dosing syringe to help ensure you give your child the right dose.

Nurofen for Children is available in 100ml and 150ml bottles. Nurofen For Children Singles* are 5ml sachets of pleasant tasting sugar free ibuprofen suspension. Simply tear off the top end and pour the required dose onto the spoon provided. Ideal for keeping in your handbag, in the car or for streamlined holiday medicine kits.

Nurofen for children: helps your child feel back to normal as quickly as possible.Click here for more information

*Contains Ibuprofen, always read the label