Just So You Know...

Apparently I have been doing a poor job nursing my children back to health. Today the kids and I ventured the hour long trip to our much-loved Pediatrician's office for a sick visit. Jaedon has had a cough for a week now and he also decided to share it with his sister. (Oh, how sweet of him!) On top of that, Audrey has kept a fever for the last three days. So, we made the trek to the doctor and Jaedon was such a big boy sitting in the chair all by himself, not having mom hold him while Dr. checked him out. Audrey, on the other hand, was not one bit happy. She was running a fever again and was continuing to cling tightly to mommy. After all was said and done, we found out Jaedon and Audrey both have sinus infections and poor Audrey's fever is sticking around because she's cutting a few 2-year molars on top of a nasty ear infection. It's been bitter sweet having them sick, especially Audrey. Jaedon tries to be such a big boy and -already- pushes me away trying to show his toughness. Audrey is still the lovey, snuggly sick girl who only wants to be on a lap all day. I hate to see her sick, but I love the snuggles! At the same time, I see my house falling apart around me. And we're supposed to have a big girl birthday party? this weekend? at my house? looking like this? As much as I know mischievousness will come with them, I can't wait to see her sweet smile and those big bright eyes again!

Anyway, back to the reason for my posting in the first place. While I was at the doctor's office, the nurse came in first as she always does getting temps, pulses and symptoms of why we were there. I proceeded to tell her about Audrey's temperature and that at one point, it had reached 104.7. I said that we striped her down and immediately put her in the tub to get it down as quick as possible. Here's the point that I thought would be helpful to all you fellow moms - She informed me that striping them down isn't what you should do when your child has a fever. When you do this, it causes them to start chilling and shivering. Shivering is the body's natural way of warming itself. So, instead of helping the fever go down, I was in essence helping kick-start her body automatically warming itself even more. So much for helping my baby. Instead, she said to just put a light-weight t-shirt or gown on her, that way her body is still covered and isn't as likely to start shivering. But you don't want heavy clothing on to hold in the heat. This information was a shocker to me and hopefully will help one of you someday in nursing your children to health too! Lukewarm baths are great too, not too hot, not cold. But don't just let them be bare thinking it will cool them off.

And on a side note: God, please help my baby girl feel better by Saturday so she can enjoy her big day!