As a parent or someone who cares for children, it’s important to know when they’re sick. If they’re cranky, don’t feel well, and are feverish, this is clearly a sign that something is going on.

Learning how to keep a fever down in children is an important thing to know, especially if the children are too young to tell you how they feel.

Know how to take a child’s temperature. Temperatures may be taken rectally, under the arm, or orally, with different thermometers of course. You should always have one of each of these kind of thermometers in the house, and know how to use them. If you only have one regular thermometer, a good rule of thumb is: rectal is one degree hotter than the mouth, under the arm is one degree cooler.

There are also thermometers which take a temperature in the ear. Please realize each of these methods may not give you the same result. Be sure to let your child’s doctor know how you took your child’s temperature should you need to contact them, and read all instructions as to how to interpret the numbers correctly.

It’s also important to know what constitutes having a fever. Some children may have a higher or lower normal body temperature so a fever to them may be different. During one of your child’s well visits, ask the doctor at which point you should contact them if your child has a fever. They will let you know if they consider 100 degrees or a higher number to be a fever.

If your child is still alert, eating and drinking well, interested in playing, and using the restroom you may not need to do anything. A fever is the body’s way of fighting off infection; by reducing the fever you may be prolonging an illness. If you’re the least bit unsure, don’t hesitate to contact the pediatrician’s office; that’s what they’re there for.