Category: Educare

All kids get fevers, and in most cases they’re completely back to normal within a few days. For older babies and kids, the way they act can be more important than the reading on your thermometer. Everyone gets a little cranky when they have a fever. This is normal and should be expected. But if you’re ever in doubt about

-crying that won’t stop -extreme irritability or fussiness -sluggishness and trouble waking up -a rash or purple spots that look like bruises on the skin (that were not there before your child got sick) -blue lips, tongue, or nails -infant’s soft spot on the head seems to be bulging out or sunken in -stiff neck -severe headache -limpness or refusal

The exact temperature that should trigger a call to the doctor depends on a child’s age, the illness, and whether there are other symptoms with the fever. Call your doctor if you have an: -infant younger than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher -older child with a temperature of higher than 102.2°F (39°C) -refuses

-is still interested in playing -is eating and drinking well -is alert and smiling at you -has a normal skin color -looks well when his or her temperature comes down And don’t worry too much about a child with a fever who doesn’t want to eat. This is very common with infections that cause fever. For kids who still drink

It’s important to remember that fever by itself is not an illness — it’s usually a symptom of another problem. -Infection -Overdressing -Immunizations

All kids get a fever from time to time. A fever itself causes no harm and can actually be a good thing — it’s often the body’s way of fighting infections. But a high fever sometimes is a sign of a problem that needs your doctor’s attention. Taking Temperatures For kids between 6 months and 4 years old: you can

Sleepwalking is far more common in kids than in adults, as most sleepwalkers outgrow it by the early teen years. It may run in families, so if you or your partner are or were sleepwalkers, your child may be too. Other factors that may bring on a sleepwalking episode include: • lack of sleep or fatigue • irregular sleep schedules

Most preschoolers do still need naps during the day. They tend to be very active — running around, playing, going to school, and exploring their surroundings — so it’s a good idea to give them a special opportunity to slow down. Even if your child can’t fall asleep, try to set aside some quiet time during the day for relaxing.

A bedtime routine is a great way to help your preschooler get enough sleep. Here are a few things to keep in mind when creating one: -Include a winding-down period during the half hour before bedtime. -Stick to a bedtime, alerting your child both half an hour and 10 minutes beforehand. -Keep consistent playtimes and mealtimes. -Avoid stimulants, such as

-Walk like a penguin, hop like a frog, or imitate other animals’ movements. -Sit facing each other and hold hands. Rock back and forth and sing the song “Row, row, row your boat.” -Bend at the waist and touch the ground. Walk your hands forward and inch along like a caterpillar. -Sit on the ground and let your child step