The specific care given to a sick baby will depend on the kind of illness he has. However when baby is sick he will often run a temperature. If the baby is very young – under three months – health-care experts usually advise not to give medicines, but to take other measures for temperature and pain reduction. Tepid baths will often reduce a high temperature and several may be given throughout the day. After three months, baby medication can be given in small doses.
In between bathing, make sure baby is dressed only lightly, and the room kept at a cool temperature. A sick baby should be kept as comfortable as possible, which includes resting in a quiet place undisturbed by other screaming children. Babies are often best soothed from pain by the comfort of being rocked or held, but if there is a temperature, being held will only make it worse.
If baby is sick with diarrhoea or vomiting, he should be kept hydrated by giving sips of cool boiled water. Never give milk or formula to a baby with this problem unless the doctor says to do so. Weak juice may be given if the baby is used to having that, otherwise stick to water. Take baby to a health-care provider if this illness persists for more than two days to prevent dehydration.
When a baby suffers from a skin complaint such as an allergy or eczema that may be itchy, this can be treated with a topical cream to reduce the irritation. Bi-carbonate of soda made into a paste with water is a good home remedy to help to stop itch.
There are many other home remedies that can help the symptoms of minor illnesses in a baby, but if you notice that baby is having difficulty breathing, is having seizures or is lethargic and unresponsive, then get him a doctor as quickly as possible.
Other symptoms that need a doctor promptly are: – red eyes that discharge mucous, fluid draining from the ears, a nasal discharge that is green, yellow or gray, persistent hacking cough, no wet nappy for 6 hours or more, crying with no tears and a mouth with no saliva, forceful vomiting, a tender naval or penis, or if he refuses more than one feed.
It is far better to be sure than sorry where baby is concerned so if you are worried, call a nurse or doctor to describe baby’s symptoms. Once you get baby checked out either in person or over the phone your fears will be laid to rest and both you and baby will be more likely to get a better night’s sleep.
For further peace of mind, keep the relevant phone numbers in a handy place so that you can phone quickly when necessary. It is also a good idea to keep some basic medicines in the cupboard. Taking a sick baby out with you to purchase medicine is not a happy experience for either mother or baby and being in a car can increase a temperature that is already high.