11 mo. low grade temp, teething??

Question

My friends daughter is 11 months old. She hasn't cut teeth yet, but her gums are swollen, pulling on one ear occasionally and she's running a temp of 99-100.4, she's eating and drinking but can't sleep well but is acting herself and is happy and active.

The child is spoiled and hasnt slept through the night yet. Mom takes her temp throughout the day - everyday, and panics if it goes over 98.6 even if the baby is active and happy. The child is in the docs office about every two weeks and put on antibotics once a month. The baby hasn't been diagnosed with anything other then a heart mummer.

Anyway I don't know if the child is just always sick, or moms overreacting but I think the baby is just teething right now. Which ever the case may be - how do I help support mom?

Answer 1

It may be an ear infection. I know with my youngest he had a bad ear infection. Pulling on his ear was a sign! I had to take him to the doc all the time because he seemed so cranky and uncomfortable. They kept telling me that he was catching something some where, but really it was the same ear infection! Finally a different doctor caught on to this. We tried one antibiotic and went back in two weeks later. It was still there. We tried a strong antibiotic and went back in two weeks. It was still there! So once again we tried a stronger antibiotic and went back in two weeks. Finally we had got rid of it!! After a month and half of trying. She told me that if we hadn't got it that time he would have been giving three shots, one each day for three days at the same time or day! I had never heard this before. If a child has 4 or more ear infections in a 12 month time period they should be checked to see if tubes are a option. I don't know if the problem is teething or a ongoing ear infection. If she has been seen for an ear infection, then try comforting her for teething. Give her tylenol and teething tablets. You can get these at Wal Mart. They are little white tables that dissolve quickly. They are fast, last longer and aren't as messy as other numbers. As for the mommy. Maybe give her a break so she can catch some sleep. Good Luck!

Answer 2

shes over reacting, a babys temp goes up when she is teething, she will get fevers. but, if the babies temp gets to 103 she should call the doctor. but its not a fever for a baby until it gets to 102. get her a book of what to expect the first year, and get her a doctor book so she can look up stuff herself!

Answer 3

for an 11 month old a temp of 99 or 100 isn't considered a fever

you don't need to worry unless she is acting sick (vomiting, lethargic, not eating etc)

an 11 month old wouldn't necessarily  be sleeping through the night, statistically only about 50% do. its not something to be concerned with

its possible the baby is sick frequently, its more likely that frequent unnecessary doses of antibiotics have been given as "mommy medicine" (at least from what you have said)

how to help the mom? a parenting group may be a good thing to help settle her nerves about whats normal.  you could also try to educate her about the risks of treating frequently with antibiotics, what illnesses they work on and what they don't.  

Answer 4

She is overreacting. I have 4 kids and I would be in the dr.'s office everyday if I worried about every little bump, bruise and fever. She is probably teething, like you said. Baby orajel and some motrin will do her fine. Once she isn't teething, then mom is going to have to sleep train her and listen to her cry a little bit if she ever wants her to sleep through the night. Unless she like having a baby sleeping with her or being woken up every night. Kids aren't as fragile as media would like us to believe. Temperatures fluctuate througout the day so she needs to stop taking her temp all the time. If she has a fever I'm she'll know by touching her forehead. If I were you I'd just do some reasearch and tell her what you found and let her make the decision, she is the mom after all and there is really nothing you can do to make her less neurotic.