Fevers in infants can be caused by colds, ear infections and teething, among other conditions. In addition to fever-reducing medicines designed for infants, parents can use home remedies to treat their infants for fevers. Contact a pediatrician if the infants fever develops within the first six weeks of life or if the child has a fever of more than 101 degrees F during the first three months of life, according to pediatrician Jim Sears. Any child with a fever of more than 104 degrees F should be seen by a doctor.
Remove Clothing
Parents should avoid bundling a feverish child in blankets, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Wearing heavy clothing could cause a child's temperature to rise, so it's best to undress a feverish infant to help bring her temperature down. Parents should keep the room temperature comfortable for the child, turning on a fan if the room gets stuffy. Infants with fevers should be dressed in light clothing, such as a loose T-shirt or onesie, socks and a diaper. Even if a child has chills, parents should refrain from bundling the infant in additional blankets.
Bathing
Experts at the Ohio State University Medical Center recommend giving an infant with a fever a lukewarm bath to lower his body temperature. Parents can do this by placing the child in a tub filled with a small amount of lukewarm water or by giving the child a sponge bath. The water temperature should not be hot or cool---between 98.6 and 100 degrees F. Bathe the infant in lukewarm water for 20 minutes. The Ohio State University Medical Center suggests drying a baby with a towel after bathing, wrapping the child in a light blanket and waiting 30 minutes before checking his temperature again. If his temperature is still high, parents should refill the tub and repeat the warm bath.
Parents should never put rubbing alcohol in a child's bath water to try and reduce a fever. Doing so may cause a child's temperature to drop too quickly and give the child the chills.
Liquids
Drinking liquids can help reduce fever in a child. Infants under six months of age should be offered plenty of breast milk or formula to drink, according to Dr. Sears. Parents can give older infants cool water to drink to help reduce fever.
Young children should not be given sports drinks or large amounts of apple or other fruit juice, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
