Alongside lethargy and being quieter, fever is one of the first recognizable signs that your toddler has come down with something. If your toddler is “burning up,” then you are already looking for some quick solutions to the problem. Our 15 home remedies for fever in toddlers make use of ingredients and items you already have in your home to help you get your toddler back to normal.
Keep in mind that these are not all-inclusive cures for whatever illness is causing your child’s fever. If fever continues for an extended period of time, consult your health care professional for additional advice and treatment.
If your toddler’s fever ever reaches a temperature of 101 degrees or over, then it is imperative that you call your child pediatrician right away. In infants and young children, a high fever that is not cool down within a reasonable amount of time can result in long term damage.
You never want to let your child’s fever go unaddressed. If you try different remedies including these home remedies listed below and your child’s fever does not go down, then you need to make sure to call her pediatrician right away.
1. Egg White
One of the home remedies for fever in toddlers already in your kitchen is egg white. Egg white is similar to a cooling gel which absorbs heat. It can draw the heat from a fever out of your toddler’s head or feet in about 30 minutes.
What to Do
- Separate the yolks from two eggs.
- Using a wire whisk or beater, beat the egg white for 1 minute.
- Saturate a thin cloth, like a handkerchief in the egg white.
- Wrap the saturated cloth around the soles of the feet and put on socks.
- When the cloth dries out, repeat the process.
- You can use this throughout the day or night until the condition improves.
2. Peppermint
Peppermint is also among the effective home remedies for fever in toddlers. Peppermint has cooling properties that help to extract excess heat from your toddler’s body and keep their internal systems running cooler to reduce fever.
What to Do
- Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 Tbsp of crushed mint leaves.
- Cover the tea and allow it to steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain out the minute leaves and add some honey.
- Give this tea 3 to 4 times per day.
3. Sandalwood Powder
Typically used as an essential oil for various conditions, sandalwood powder is included in our list of home remedies for fever in toddlers for good reason. Sandalwood’s therapeutic properties help to bring down fever and inflammation. In addition, sandalwood helps to calm and cool down stress and discomfort.
What to Do
- Add just enough water to ½ tsp of sandalwood powder to create a thick paste.
- Apply the paste to the forehead of your toddler and allow it to dry in place.
- You can repeat this process several times throughout the day or night.
4. Turmeric
Also included among the best home remedies for fever in toddlers is the herb turmeric. The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has a ton of antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties to help attack any foreign invader that might be causing the fever. In addition, turmeric is anti-inflammatory and works in a manner similar to over-the-counter fever and pain reliever drugs, but without the harmful side effects.
What to Do
- Stir ½ tsp of turmeric and a pinch of black pepper into 1 cup of warm milk.
- You might add a dab of honey to make it more appealing.
- Continue stirring while you give this to your toddler as the turmeric will not dissolve.
- DO NOT leave out the black pepper, because it is what helps the body absorb turmeric.
- Give this mixture 2 to 3 times daily.
5. Ginger
A cousin to turmeric, ginger can also be uses as one of the home remedies for fever in toddlers. Ginger accomplishes several goals in reducing fever with its antimicrobial properties and immune system support. Another great bonus of ginger is that it helps to calm an upset stomach, which sometimes goes along with fever.
What to Do
- Make ginger tea and give it to your toddler 2 to 3 times daily.
- 2 Tbsp of ginger powder can also be added to a bathtub filled with warm water.
- Soak your toddler in the water for about 10 minutes, towel off, and then wrap him or her in a blanket. The ginger will help to sweat the fever out.
6. Raisins
The loads of phenolic phytonutrients found in raisins contain known antibacterial and antioxidant properties to get rid of any foreign invaders that are causing fever. Raisins also act a fever reducing tonic on the inside of your body making them one of the top home remedies for fever in toddlers.
What to Do
- Place 25 to 30 raisins in ½ cup of water and allow them to soak for about an hour.
- Thoroughly mash the raisins into the liquid and then strain out and retain this infused water.
- Stir in the juice of ½ of a lime.
- Serve this juice 2 to 3 times daily.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Though you probably can’t get your toddler to drink apple cider vinegar, it can be used externally as one of the effective home remedies for fever in toddlers. The minerals and enzymes in ACV help to balance out the acid level of your child’s body as well as draw the heat out through the surface of the skin.
What to Do
- Pour ½ cup of apple cider vinegar into a bathtub filled with warm water.
- Allow your toddler to soak in the solution for about 10 minutes before toweling off.
- Repeat this remedy whenever body temperature rises.
- You can also saturate a washcloth in a mixture of 1 part ACV to 2 parts cool water and use this to wipe down your child’s body and reduce fever.
8. Basil
Another of the most effective home remedies for fever in toddlers uses basil as its main ingredient. Besides being as effective as many of the antibiotics which are typically given for various illnesses, basil is also effective at reducing fever.
What to Do
- Boil 20 fresh basil leaves in 1 cup of water until the liquid is reduced by half.
- Add in 1 tsp of honey and serve this to your toddler 2 to 3 times throughout the day or night.
- You can bump up the potency by adding ½ tsp of either ginger or turmeric (along with a pinch of black pepper) as well.
9. Cool Compress
Cool compresses are one of the most traditional home remedies for fever in toddlers, because of their soothing effect and because they bring down overall body temperature.
What to Do
- Saturate a washcloth or sponge in cool tap water and wring out any excess.
- Use the sponge or cloth to dampen the skin around the forehead, the back of the neck, the armpits, hands, feet and groin areas.
- As the cloth warms up, moisten it again and repeat the process for several minutes.
- You can use this remedy as often as necessary to lower body temperature.
If you do not have a cool compress that you can use for your child, then you can easily make one. All you need to do is grab a ziplock bag or platic bag and fill it with ice. Then, take a towel or a thick piece of fabric and wrap it around the ziplock bag. This will keep the cold compress from being too cold on your little one’s skin.
If you are outdoors and you do not have access to ice or cold water, then your next option is to undress your little one. By undressing them, you will allow their body temperature to dip down as clothing can often elevate their body temperature.
If your little one is under direct sunlight, then you obviously want to get them indoors in a cool and shady area. If their fever continues to spike or does not go down, then you will need to get in contact with your child’s pediatrician right away.
10. Onion
Though an onion might be one of the most surprising home remedies for fever in toddlers, it is no less effective than any of the others have discussed. Not only do onions reduce body temperature, but they also reduce aches and pains.
What to Do
- Slice an onion into thin slices.
- Rub the slices over your child’s feet for a few minutes until the onion becomes dry.
- Repeat this until all of the slices are used up.
- This remedy can be used several times throughout the day or night.
11. Mustard Oil and Garlic
Mustard oil and garlic are also among the top home remedies for fever in toddlers. The two work in tandem to not only reduce fever, but also help to sweat out any toxins, which are in your child’s body, and reduce aches and pains.
What to Do
- Warm 2 Tbsp of mustard oil and add 1 Tbsp of garlic paste into it.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Massage the solution into your child’s chest, feet, palms, back and neck prior to bedtime.
12. Coriander Seeds
The phytonutrients and vitamins found in coriander seeds are also among the effective home remedies for fever in toddlers. Coriander helps to boost your child’s immunity and effectively protect your child against the more harmful effects of a viral fever.
What to Do
- Add 1 Tbsp of coriander seeds into a cup of boiling water.
- Turn off the heat, cover and allow the solution to cool.
- When the solution cools, add honey and a bit of milk and serve it to your child.
- You can use this remedy several times throughout the day or night.
13. Fenugreek Seeds
Also among the best home remedies for fever in toddlers is one which utilizes fenugreek seeds. The alkaloids, saponins and diosgenin found in fenugreek seeds are all effective at fighting off viral, bacterial and fungal infections, giving your child’s immune system a boost.
What to Do
- Soak 1 Tbsp of fenugreek seeds in a glass of water overnight.
- Strain out the seeds, reserving the infused water, and have your child sip the strained water throughout the day.
If your child is able to taste the flavor of the fenugreek water, they might not be up to drinking it. If this is the case, then you can easily mix the fenugreek seed water into a sippy cup that has milk or juice in it.
Though the flavor will be masked, they will be able to still reap the benefits of the fenugreek infused water. You should be able to see a decrease in their overall temperature over the next couple of hours with this method.
14. Diet
Feeding your child when he or she has a fever can make a big difference in recovery time and fever reduction. Easily digestible food that is consumed in small quantities ever couple of hours in the initial stages of a fever can make a big difference. Foods with vitamins A, B and C as well as calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium are the most effective.
What to Do
- Making and feeding your child homemade chicken soup made with the whole chicken or bone broth is one of the best options.
- Avoid spicy, fatty and high fiber foods during this time.
- Custard, eggs, baked fish, boiled vegetables and mashed potatoes are also among the best options.
15. Fluids
When your doctor tells you to give plenty of fluids as one of the home remedies for fever in toddlers, he says it for a reason. Fluids help to cool down your child’s body temperature, but they also help to flush out all of the nasty toxins that have caused the fever in the first place.
What to Do
- Stay on top of providing fluids to your child every 15 to 20 minutes.
- Home extracted fruit and vegetable juice, various types of herbal tea, barley water, coconut water or buttermilk are all good options to keep fluid levels up.
- Serving soups and broths also help to provide additional fluid and nutrition.
Wrapping Up
When your child has a fever, finding a way of cooling him or her off becomes a major priority. You can cool that fever as well as fight off its source making use of one or several of our 15 home remedies for fever in toddlers to get your little one right back to normal. In addition to trying out these remedies, be sure to add some of your own along with questions, comments and success stories.