Preventive Measures And Managing Fever And Pain In Babies

As parents, every day brings its own set of adventures, from tackling common colds to soothing post-vaccination grumbles. With the right knowledge and tools at your disposal, you can navigate pain and fever in babies with confidence.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

The saying, “Prevention is better than cure” rings especially true when it comes to safeguarding our little ones from potential health risks. By proactively embracing preventive measures, we can set the foundation for a healthier future. Let’s delve into three key practices that not only act as protective shields but also promote overall wellness for our babies.

1. Vaccination Schedules

Immunity acts as the body’s shield against diseases. Since a baby’s immune system isn’t fully developed right from birth, they’re more susceptible to infections and can fall seriously ill.^1a Vaccines serve as trainers for this system, teaching it to fend off harmful invaders.^1b By vaccinating, you’re essentially giving your baby’s natural defences a helpful boost.

2. Hygiene Practices

Maintaining a clean environment for your baby can thwart the spread of infectious agents. Regular handwashing, especially before handling your baby, is vital.² Also, ensuring that anyone who interacts with your baby practices good hygiene can minimise the risk of infections.

3. Safe Sleep Practices

Ensuring that your baby sleeps in a safe environment can prevent many health complications. This includes placing the baby on their back to sleep,^3a using a firm sleep surface like a mattress in a safety-approved crib^3b, and avoiding soft bedding, toys, and crib bumpers^3c.

Combating Pain and Fever during Vaccinations

While vaccinations are essential for preventing serious diseases, they can occasionally result in mild side effects like fever or pain at the injection site. Here’s how to manage these symptoms:

1. Cool Compress: A cool, damp cloth can be applied to the injection site to reduce pain and swelling.^4a Apply for 10 minutes, three times a day.
2. Panado^®: Always choose a pain and fever medication that is suitable for your child’s age and weight and measure the dose accurately.^4b
3. Hydration: Ensure your child drinks enough fluids to prevent dehydration.^4c
4. Clothing: Dress your baby in light clothing if they have a fever, ensuring they don’t overheat. Keep their room at a comfortable temperature.^4d

Fever Trends And Duration

It can be worrying to see your baby spike even a mild fever. So, when is a fever a cause for concern?

Temperature Reading

A fever is a body temperature that is raised higher than the normal temperature of about 37° C.^5a

After accurately measuring your baby’s temperature with a thermometer, use the ranges below to help put your child’s level of fever into perspective:

• 37.8° – 39° C: Low grade fever^5b
• 39 – 40° C: Mild fever^5c
• Over 40° C: High fever^5d
• Over 41.1° C: Very high fever^5e
• Over 42.3° C: Dangerous fever^5f

In most cases, low grade fevers in older babies can be treated at home. However, if your baby is under three months old and has a temperature of 38° C or higher,^6a or if they are between three to six months old and register a temperature of 39° C or above,^6b it’s a cause for concern. It’s also alarming if the fever persists for more than five days.^6c

Always trust your instincts as a parent; if you feel something isn’t right or are concerned about your baby’s well-being, it’s crucial to seek medical advice.

Panado^®’s  Paediatric Range of Products

Panado^®  contains paracetamol, which boasts over 150 years of clinical experience.⁷  It’s fast-acting⁸ and gentle on sensitive tummies.⁹

Panado^®  paediatric range of products includes Panado^®  Paediatric Syrup, Strawberry,¹⁰ Panado^®  Paediatric Syrup, Peppermint Alcohol and Sugar-Free,¹¹ Panado^® Paediatric Syrup, Peppermint 5 ml Sachets¹², Panado^® Infant Drops¹³ and recently launched Panado^® Grape flavour which is colourant-free, tartrazine-free, alcohol-free, and sugar-free.¹⁴

Parents trust¹⁵ Panado^®  for the power to fight their little one’s pain and provide fast¹⁶ relief when needed most.  Panado^® products are available at Baby City, Pick n Pay, Checkers, including Hypers, Shoprite, Clicks, Dis-Chem, and Independent Pharmacies. For more information, visit visit https://panado.co.za/ and join the conversations on Facebook.

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References:

1. 1. Centers for disease control and prevention. Making the vaccine decision: Addressing common concerns. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/why-vaccinate/vaccine-decision.html. Last accessed August 2023.
   2. Global hygiene council. Protecting babies from infection. Available from: https://www.hygienecouncil.org/resources/protecting-babies-from-infection/. Last accessed August 2023.
   3. Centers for disease control and prevention. Helping babies sleep safely. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/features/baby-safe-sleep/index.html. Last accessed August 2023.
   4. Immunization action coalition [Immunize.org]. After the shots…what to do if your child has discomfort. Available from: https://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4015.pdf. Last accessed August 2023.
   5. Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Foundation. Fever (0-12 Months). Available from: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/fever-0-12-months/. Last accessed August 2023.
   6. National childbirth trust. What to do if your child has a temperature or a fever. Available from: https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/your-babys-health/common-illnesses/what-do-if-your-child-has-temperature-or-fever. Last accessed August 2023.
   7. 150 years of paracetamol. GP Pharma Update Mar/Apr 2019
   8. Moller PL, Sindet-Pedersen S, Petersen CT, et al. Onset of acetaminophen analgesia: Comparison of oral and intravenous routes after third molar surgery. Br J Anaesth 2005;94(5):642-8. doi:10.1093/bja/aei109. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15790675/. Last accessed August 2023.
   9. Goodman & Gilman’s.The pharmacological basis of therapeutics, 13th ed. Acetaminophen. p696
   10. Panado^® Paediatric Strawberry Syrup approved package insert, March 2002.
   11. Panado^® Paediatric Syrup Alcohol and Sugar-Free professional information, May 2022.
   12. Panado^® Paediatric Syrup professional information, May 2022.
   13. Panado^® Infant Drops (Drops) approved professional information, August 1990.
   14. Panado^® Paediatric Alcohol Free – Grape Flavour. Approved package insert. October 2022.
   15. Circana, MT,  November 2023 MAT.
   16. Wilcock A, Twycross R. Therapeutic reviews: Acetaminophen (Paracetamol). Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 2013;46(5):747-755