My 8M Old Is Teething and Has a Fever

First of all, its an old wives tale that teething causes fever - fever is caused by the body fighting off infection, not cutting teeth. We all learned this teething/fever story from our mothers and grandmothers who brought that story from their childhoods when they also thought that being out in the cold can cause one to catch a cold (also not true, as a cold is caught only if one comes in contact with the virus!). So, forget that he is teething - it is just going to make him more unhappy because he does have a fever, but know that the two are NOT connected.
As far as the fever goes, it can get as high as 105 - if it gets to 105, THEN there is a chance he could have a febrile seizure and you should take him to the ER. But young children and babies often get really high fevers when fighting off an infection, so don't really start to worry unless the thermometer gets up there in that 105 degree range. To keep him happier and cooler, give him children's Motrin as opposed to Tylenol - it gets that fever down much faster and better than regular old childrens tylenol (ask your ped, and he/she will likely agree! Its what my ped has told me). Give him tempid bathes during the day - like luke warm, a little on the colder side than the hot - it let him play in it. Wet his head and it well help bring his temp down and cool his body off.
Try to let him sleep in his own bed if you can - if you dont already use one, just keep a baby monitor on and check on him as often as you'd like. He will probably sleep really well as long as he gets a dose of motrin before bed - that usually lasts long enough to make his fever go down to a comfortable level, makes him a little bit extra sleepy so that he will get some comfortable hours in. There is no point in having him sleep in your bed, or you freaking out about this - fevers happen, and will continue to happen throughout his childhood, so its important that you get some rest to in order to be able to support him through the day. The motrin will help his teething alot too - I also reccomment baby orajel for quick fixes.
When my daughter had roseola and spiked a high fever, I did all of these things above - I also bought all sorts of apple juice, little bottles of water, gatorade and pedialyte pops to keep as much liquid in her as possible (helps with the fever greatly). I let her run around the house in only her diaper, gave her cool bathes, and even bought an empty spray bottle so that she could spray herself if she wanted.

Dear H. I,
Your child will only have a fever seizure if you don't treat him for the fever. Also it depends how high the fever is too. You could also try giving him infant Motrin as well as tylonal. Give tylonal then 4 hours later give him motrin to kinda piggy back the fever and keep it from returning. It will then give the motrin time to get into his system before the tylonal completely wears off. Tylonal lasts anywhere from 4-6 hours and infant motrin lasts from 6-8 hours.
Have you tried teathing medicine like baby orajel. Cold compresses also help bring down the fever. If the fever gets to high you can do a luke warm bath and put your son it and let it go cold. It will help cool is body down slowly along with the water. Any questions please let me know M. Petersen
mother of 2 one almost 8 and 1 that is 5.

H.,
Being a first time mom is REALLY scary because there are so many things that happen and there's no manual to help us out!!! Don't worry every other first time mom has gone through the exact same thing! First, you're doctor needs to realize that that baby is the most precious, most wonderful baby to you and is crazy to make you wait. If the dr. is really going to do blood work why wait?? I would start giving Tylenol and Ibuprofen though.. Ibuprofen has an anti-inflammatory in it that can soothe the gums and also has a fever reducer.. I would alternate just so the baby doesn't get used to one over the other because it will stop working after awhile-Just like taking antibiotics for a long period of time.- also try putting a pacifier in the freezer (if you use those) or if you're using a teething ring.. put it in the freezer for a bit.. so it's kind of slushy on the inside.. your baby should bite on that ok and the coolness should feel good. Other than that.. I'm not sure.. If you're worried about seizures then definately get on the phone and call your MD.. Is the fever that high?? I wouldn't worry about seizures unless the fever is really high at around 104/105.. or if the baby has a seizure disorder.. If the fever is really that high get on the phone with the MD and make them do something! Honestly, don't rely on the knowledge of the MD-not that it's not important but mothers instinct can sometimes over rule the advice of a doctor.. I speak from experience- my dr. misdiagnosed my son at 11 months with asthma (which you could tell was his prefered diagnosis of most of his patients) and my son ended up in Childrens Hospital for a few days with pneumonia!! -Listen to your gut feeling! I hope this helps you! -OH, you can also go the store and I think they're just called teething tablets- I forgot for sure(it's been a couple years!!) You can go to a Longs Drugs or a place like it and find teething tablets.. they are in a blue, white and pink small cylinder tube in the baby section. They help too, not with the fever but relief on the gums and you can give it at the same time as Tylenol or Ibuprofen, it won't hurt! I hope I've helped!! Good Luck- M.

Not sure about the fever but definetly don't let him sleep by himself. But You may want to ask if he is old enough to give motrin and tylenol alternating to control the fever. I would also get an ear thermometer, walmart $15 or so, so you could easily montior the fever.Also for teething my daughter used to use homepathic teething tablets from walgreens or rite aid. hope it works, don't forget to always pray for your little one. =)

Dear H.,

I know how you feel. Go to www.drgreene.com, and they may have something that will help you. Also, keep looking on other pediatric sites until you find some good advice. C. N.

Hi H.,

Both of my children, 25 month old and 5 month old have teethed early and both had fevers while doing so, so I tend to disagree w/ the mother that said it is an old wives tale, it surely is not! I am living through it right now! However, their fevers were never above 102, as stated below, if it reaches 104/105 take him to the ER immediately.

What worked best for me were hylands teething tablets along w/ doses of tylenol or motrin (motrin did seem to work best for this). The tablets can be given up to 4 times a day. They were great as you put 2-3 in their mouth, they are homeopathic so no drugs invovled. It numbs their whole mouth so you don't have to deal w/ the orajel method of figuring out where the tooth is coming up and touching the sore area.

My daughter is currently teething as she just turned 5 months old on Monday so I totally understand what you're going through. However, if you feel something is wrong demand the blood tests early, do not wait for 3 days! You pay for the coverage, we should all have a say in when it comes into play. However, I understand that Dr's do try to hold you off, had the same w/ a similar situation w/ my daughter. You must follow your gut instict, if you feel there is something wrong demand the tests. Take him to the ER if need be, they will get done there.

Good luck and please keep us posted, hope the angel is well.

S.

Hi H.,
What seemed to work for my kids was bathing them in a warm bath with just a capful of rubbing alcohol for the fever. It has also been passed down to me that giving a baby a beef jerky can keep her gums from swelling and also gives the great taste that baby will enjoy =) Good luck!