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If you are a new parent and your baby has recently caught a fever, you might be wondering if you should or shouldn’t put socks on your baby to make them feel comfortable with the rising temperature.
You can put socks on a baby with fever. When the fever is relatively new, and you’re noticing an increase in temperature, you can put on some dry and fluffy socks, or even WET ones (will talk about this later).
This article will explain why you can put socks on a baby with a fever, the possible risks and what else you can do if your baby has a fever.
How To Treat A Baby With A Temperature
If your baby is three month old or younger or premature always seek medical advice quickly if your baby’s temperature is over 100 or older than three months and over 38 , as your baby might need to be monitored to check everything is ok.
When a baby has a fever there is no need to wrap up or strip down your baby differently to how you would normally be dressing them according to the weather. Breathable, soft natural materials such as cotton and wool are always best.
If you baby is dehydrated has dark pee or no pee or you see a dipped or bulging fontanelle seek medical help quickly, and continue offering fluids in a way that is normal for your ( breast feeding or bottle feeding).
If your baby is over 6 months you can offer cooled boiled water to your baby.
If your baby has temperature and blue or very mottled skin seek medical advice.
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Don’t ignore rashes and keep your baby near you so you can check on them regularly if they are sleeping.
Why Put Socks On A Baby With A Fever?
Putting socks on a baby with a fever can help with keeping off chills and regulating their body temperature.
Much like adults, babies will also get chills when they catch a fever, and these chills can easily convert into something serious since babies have weak immune systems.
So on such an occasion, putting socks on a baby will keep their feet warm and this will gradually assist in combating the fever as well by stopping it from intensifying overnight.
Another variation of this is the ‘wet-sock’ method.
The ‘Wet-Sock’ Method
Sometimes, it is advised to put on wet socks on a baby, especially during cases of cold and fever. Here’s how it’s done:
- You must first run the socks under cold water (not freezing!), and wring them dry so that they don’t drip.
- Next, you are to soak the baby’s feet in a bowl of warm water with some Epsom salt for a few minutes and dry them.
- Afterwards you put on the wet socks on their feet.
- Cover the wet socks with dry wool socks
The socks will be dry and warm in the morning, and you might have to repeat this for two to three nights consecutively depending on the severity of the illness.
This method is not proven to help combat illnesses, yet lots of people recommend its benefits and suggest it works wonders on adults too, however I would not recommend using this method with an infant.
Caution First!
While these methods sound easy and convenient, there is the possibility that they might actually worsen your baby’s fever. Using water methods to cool down temperatures for young children and babies is not the method recommended by leading medical experts as it can lead to shock.
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Instead place your baby in a single layer of clothing a cotton baby grow is ideal as there are fewer uncomfortable seams and the feet are already covered, this helps baby to regulate their body temperature.
Also if putting baby to bed with a temperature use a loosely wrapped cotton breathable blanket and ensure they are away from drafts.
Additional Tips to Prevent or Reduce Fevers in Babies
Here are a few other things you can do other than putting socks on a baby with fever:
Doctors And Over-The-Counter Pills
It is best to seek the guidance of a physician if a strong fever persists in your infant. With the many viruses and infections circulating around, getting a medical and reliable opinion is extremely important.
However, if it is too late in the day to meet a doctor, you can go for over-the-counter medications for babies.
They will stave off any rapid improvements till you manage to get to a doctor, and on occasion can cure the fever entirely.
Keep The Baby Hydrated
With the rising temperatures, babies will start to lose the water content in their bodies and dehydration will start to set in.
It is important that you keep your baby hydrated and well-fed, even if they don’t necessarily have an appetite for food.
While forcing the baby to eat and drink is not advised, it is important that you keep your baby hydrated and fed to assist with dehydration and weakening of the body that is caused by the fever.
Staying Away From Problematic ‘Cures’
When you find yourself tending to a baby with a fever, you will ask for advice from a lot of people.
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While their intentions are harmless and actually are trying to help you, sometimes, the cures they recommend do not make any scientific sense whatsoever.
Before you move on with any of these ‘cures’, it is important to get the advice of a trained physician so that you do not accidentally aggravate your baby’s fever. Better SAFE than SORRY!
Final Thoughts
You CAN put socks on a baby with a fever, wet sock is not a good idea as it could lead to shock. It is best to dress your baby according to the weather. Babygrows are best to help a younger baby regulate their body temperature, and cotton sock or 100 percent natural materials are better and they are breathable fabrics.
Seek medical advice if your baby has a temperature over a 100 if they are under 3 months or over 102 if they are over three months and monitor them carefully.