Question

My six-month-old baby has a slight fever. What should I do at home? The baby seems less lively than before, but everything else is normal. Could it be due to catching a cold after a bath yesterday? How effective were the previous treatments and what was the outcome? Is drinking plain water helpful? Are there any home care methods we can use instead of going to the hospital?

Answer

A slight fever in a six-month-old baby is a common symptom, and it can be caused by various diseases. It is the body’s natural response to illness. When dealing with a baby’s fever, dietary care is very important. Normally, children consume more water than adults, and this is especially true when they have a fever. During the process of taking antipyretic medication, there is a significant loss of water and minerals, leading to increased urine output and affecting the body’s elimination of toxins. Therefore, the first thing for a feverish child should be to provide adequate hydration, followed by the intake of various nutrients. For infants under six months old who are breastfed, breastfeeding should continue. Breast milk is easy to digest, ensures nutrient supply, and has a high water content of up to 87%, which is beneficial for water intake. If formula feeding is used, you can give diluted skimmed milk, which is 2 or 3 parts milk to 1 part water (2:1 or 3:1), with the intake amount equivalent to normal. At this time, although the actual milk intake of the baby increases, it is more beneficial due to the intake of water. It is better to drink plain water when feverish, and some fresh fruit juice can also be added appropriately to consume the required vitamin C. The amount of fluid should be sufficient to maintain normal urine output and keep the lips moist; it is not necessary to drink too much. The above advice is for a six-month-old baby…