1st time mom and my DS has his 1st fever ever, I feel so helpless

He's 19 months and had never had a fever, nothing actually more serious than a mild cold. I feel clueless and helpless.

He felt warm at bedtime but I had no idea he had a fever. I used to always worry about him getting a fever (huge fear that I wouldn't know he had one) and used to take his temp at least 1 x week but yet last night when he actually had one, IDIOT me had no idea

He woke up at 2AM with 101.5. I gave him Mortin and by 3:30AM the fever was down. He slept but woke up every hour and had to be rocked back to sleep. He was fine this morning and his usual self. He even jumped for the 1st time without holding on to anything.

Now his fever is back up to 101.1. I gave him Tylenol and put him down for a nap. Should I have waited to make sure the fever was down before putting him down?

How can I help him feel better and more comfortable? He's not really eating but had a Yotoddler yogurt, drank some milk (only 9 oz so far today) and will drink water. His poopie seems somewhat mushier than usual but that's it. What could be going on with him?

Re: 1st time mom and my DS has his 1st fever ever, I feel so helpless

DS had his first fever at 15 months after the MMR vaccine and I didn't know what to do either. It only lasted about 24 hours and it never went higher than 101 ish. As long as it stays low, I wouldn't worry. Try to get some liquids in him. Could it be teething? Reason I ask....DS had his 2nd fever ever last week (18 months) and it was either from the chicken pox vaccine or from teething (K9's cutting). He also had diarrhea for the first time ever.

Re: 1st time mom and my DS has his 1st fever ever, I feel so helpless

Poor baby

Light clothing, keep him cool
warm bath (not cold)
Really when AJ's like that I just do whatever she wants to make her feel better!

ETA: which included going outside and paiting a bird house on a windy day which proved interesting, but it was during a time she was 'feeling' better so how could I say no?

Message edited 5/23/2011 1:59:42 PM.

Re: 1st time mom and my DS has his 1st fever ever, I feel so helpless

Whenever my ds's have fever they sleep a lot and I end up holding them most of day/night to comfort them. As long as he is taking liquids don't worry, it will pass. Does he have any other cold symptoms. It could be teething. Also in case u didn't know, tylenol was recalled, so stick to motrin, advil, or store brands. And I always call my ped to see what dosage to give. My 7 mo old had fever for 3 days last wk and we gave him half tsp of childrens advil every 6 hrs.

Re: 1st time mom and my DS has his 1st fever ever, I feel so helpless

Hmmm, I didn't even consider teething. Glad you guys mentioned it bc of course I am sitting here staring at the monitor thinking the worst.

I'm using store brand motrin/tylenol and keeping him in light pj's. Will keep trying to get food into him.
Thanks!