Caring for an Ill Infant

Providing proper care for an infant when they are sick can be a daunting task for any parent, never mind first time parents. The infant's inability to effectively communicate their ills and their fragile appearance can make the prospect of providing healthcare and performing the simplest jobs seem scary.

The purpose of this section is to provide instructional guidelines for various procedures that will be necessary for parents to perform when their child becomes ill. These procedures include taking an infant's temperature; giving an infant medicine; administering nose, eye, and ear drops; and bringing down a fever.

Taking Temperature

The best thermometers for infants and young children are the mercury thermometers with large, easy-to-read numbers, and the digital thermometer (both the oral and aural digital thermometers are great). The one downside to digital thermometers is their cost. They do offer quick and easy readings, but they cost much more than the traditional mercury thermometers.

When the baby is sick, the mother should take his temperature at least twice a day; once in the morning, and again in the evening. The best method when using a mercury thermometer is to place the thermometer under the baby's armpit. The temperature reading gained here is 1 F lower than what his actual body temperature is. The mother must never place a mercury thermometer into an infant or toddler's mouth, as it can easily break, releasing the deadly mercury into their mouths and body.

The digital thermometer on the other hand is not breakable, nor is it dangerous if it does. Thus, digital thermometers can be safely placed inside of an infant's mouth. However, some younger infants will be unable to correctly hold the thermometer under their tongue. If this is the case, the mother can either aid the baby in keeping the thermometer in the correct place - which may be a difficult task, particularly if the baby is ill, fevered, and fussy - or she can place the digital thermometer under the baby's armpit and take the reading just as she would with a mercury-based thermometer.

Using a Mercury Thermometer

1. Hold the thermometer with a firm grasp and shake it hard several times by flicking the wrist downwards. This will shake all of the mercury back into the bulb of the thermometer, readying it to take a reading. The mother should then place the baby on her knee in a seated position. Once the baby is in a comfortable seated position on the mother's lap, the mother should then lift the baby's arm, placing the bulb end of the thermometer into his armpit.

2. the mother must then lower the baby's arm, enclosing the thermometer in the baby's armpit. The best position for the baby's arm once it has been lowered is slung across his chest. This arm positioning will keep the thermometer in the correct place, and will prevent it from moving. The thermometer should be left in place for approximately three minutes in order to get an accurate reading from the thermometer.

3. After three minutes, the mother can remove the thermometer. A temperature over 99. 4 F is considered a fever. It should be remembered that when the temperature is taken under the armpit, the resultant temperature will be nearly a full degree Fahrenheit lower than the baby's actual body temperature. Thus, one degree should be added to the final mercury thermometer reading.

Using a Digital Thermometer

1. Begin by turning the thermometer on. Have the baby open his mouth. The thermometer must be placed under the baby's tongue. Have the baby then close his mouth. The process should take between two and three minutes. Most digital thermometers will have a beeping signal which indicates that a final reading is available. Once the indicator sounds, the thermometer can be removed.

2. Any measurement over 100. 4 F is considered a fever.

Using a Rectal Thermometer

Shake the thermometer with some force to get the mercury to return to the bulb of the thermometer, or all mercury below at least 96. 8 F. The mother should then apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the tip of the thermometer. The mother should lay the baby on his stomach, across her lap. With one hand the mother must hold the the baby's buttocks apart and gently insert the thermometer to a depth of ½ inch. The thermometer should be left in place for two to three minutes. A rectal temperature reading above 101. 3 F is considered a fever.

Administering Medication

Most minor illnesses will get better without the aid of medication and other treatments. If however, the baby's physician does prescribe medication he will inform the mother of how often and how much medicine to give to the baby. It is crucial that the mother follow these instructions carefully and diligently. When pouring liquid medicine, the mother must ensure that she has shaken the bottle thoroughly and that she has measured the dosage accurately. Infant sized medicine spoons, droppers and tubes for administering medication can be bought at most local pharmacies. Medication should not be mixed with food or drink. The baby may not finish all of this food or drink, and hence, will not receive all of his necessary medication. If the baby struggles, when the mother attempts to give him medicine - including eye, ear, and nose drops - she should get another adult to help hold the baby while she administers the medication. The mother can prevent the baby from moving too much by swaddling him. If the baby is prescribed antibiotics, the mother must be sure that the full course of medication is given to him, even if he seems completely recovered when the treatment is not fully done. If the medication is not completed, the infection may recur.

When the mother is administering medication to the baby, she should place a bib on him in case medicine is spill. The mother should also keep tissues or a cloth handy in case the baby needs to be wiped off, or a spill needs to be cleaned up. If an instrument such as a medicine spoon, dropper, or tube is going to be used in the administration of medication, and the baby is under the age of six months, the mother should boil the equipment in water before giving the medication to the baby. This will ensure that the instruments are properly sterilized. If the baby is too young too sit up by himself, the mother should hold him as though she were feeding him.

Medicine Spoon

The mother must measure the baby's dosage carefully, and then pour half into a second spoon, placing it with in reaching distance. The mother should hold the baby as is she is going to spoon feed him, ensuring that he is held securely and is unable to struggle. Rest the spoon and the baby's lower lip, and let him suck the medicine off. Once the baby has finished one spoon, give him the remainder of the dose off of the other spoon.

Medicine Tube

Measure the correct dosage and pour it into the medicine tube. Holding the baby in a feeding position, rest the mouthpiece of the tube on his lower lip. Slowly tilt the tube so that the medicine pours little by little into the baby's mouth. Attention must be paid so that the medicine is not poured into the baby's mouth too quickly.

Medicine Dropper

The mother should begin by measuring the dose into a measuring spoon. The medication should then be sucked from the spoon into the dropper. Place the dropper into the baby's mouth and slowly squirt the medication into his mouth. Repeat these steps until the baby has taken the correct dosage. If the baby has teeth, a glass dropper should not be used as it could break if he bites it.

Fingertip Administration

If the baby is fussy he may refuse to take medication from a spoon, tube or dropper. In such an instance, the mother can use a finger to pick up the medicine, and allow the baby to suck it off. The mother should measure the correct dose into a spoon and then dip her finger in and allow the baby to suck the medicine off. This approach may be time consuming but it may be the only way to get the baby to take his medicine. As with the other methods, all the medication must be finished.

Administering Eye, Ear, and Nose Drops

As with the administration of medication, ear, eye, and nose drops, may cause the baby to struggle. Prior to administration, it may be advisable to swaddle the baby so that he does not wiggle and struggle, possibly further hurting himself.

Ear Drops- The mother should begin by swaddling the baby and laying him on his side across her lap, with the affected ear facing up. The mother must use one hand to support the baby's head, and the other to administer the drops. Remember to use the recommended infant dosage.

Nose Drops- The mother should begin by swaddling the baby and laying him on his back across her knees. The baby's head should fall back over the mother's thigh, supported by one of her hands. This will allow the mother to gently and slowly tilt the baby's head back, providing easy access to the nostrils. The mother should then use her free hand to administer the recommended infant dosage of the drops.

Eye Drops- The mother should select a time during the day when the baby is typically relaxed to administer the drops. Once the mother has swaddled the baby, she should lay him on a firm surface or across her knee. Using one hand the mother should hold open the baby's eye, and apply the drops with the other. Be sure to follow the recommended dosage for infants.

Lowering an Infant's Fever

There is not much that can be done to lower a fever. When a fever is the result of an infection or illness, the fever will not be completely eliminated until the infection/illness has run its course. Having said this, there are some measures that the mother can take to help reduce the baby's fever.

1. If the baby's temperature rises above 102. 2 F, the mother should give the baby acetaminophen-based medications such as Tylenol. The dosage directions must be carefully followed for an infant. If the baby is less than three months old, the mother should first consult with a physician before giving medication. If the baby is dressed in warm clothes, the mother may want to remove them to help the baby cool down.

2. As the baby's temperature begins to fall, he may begin to sweat copious amounts. Thus, it is important to give the baby plenty to drink, so that he is able to replace lost fluids. The baby should be then covered with a warm cotton sheet or blanket, so that he does not begin to shiver. Shivering produces heat and is thus, antithetical to the goal of bringing down the baby's core body temperature.

There are some additional measures that can be taken to help bring down a fever. If the baby is in his crib, uncover him, and try to cool his room down moderately. The room should not be made too cold; a few degrees below room temperature will help. The mother should not feel cold when entering the room. If she does, it is too cold. Gently wiping the baby's face, neck, arms, and chest with lukewarm water can help to make him feel better. Allow the baby's skin to then air dry. Continue wiping the baby for about 30 minutes. If his temperature has not begun to fall, or is still above 102. 2 F, the mother should contact a physician.

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