01/04/2025
Drawing on the work of Dr Jayne Donegan and others, in this second blog for March I look at fever in children and how homeopathy can help. For the full blog see my website: https://allanpollock.co.uk/
TREATING FEVER IN CHILDREN - SOME BASICS
1 – Plenty Fresh air and FluidsFresh air – open the window; during mild weather, nurse outside – at night, open the window even if only a little
Loose clothing – made of soft, natural fibres
Plenty of clear fluids – for example: water; half diluted apple juice; ginger, honey & lemon tea* (children seem to prefer it cooled) or stock. Avoid artificial sweetners – and Dr Donegan doesn’t favour orange juice. Small frequent sips are more useful than occasional large gulps , especially in gastric upsets.
Breast milk must be continued and babies on formula milk need to restart by 24 hours if they are not weaned
No dairy produce – no milk (save breast), including soya, yoghurt, cheese, eggs until well on the mend – as dairy increases mucus, upsets stomachs and may increase fever.
2 – Minimal food
No food unless hungry and no fever – this is VERY important.
Children naturally fast when ill, do not attempt to feed them when they don’t want to eat.
When the fever is down, if they are hungry, feed them a light diet – starch, minimal fat ,to be chewed well, for example:
peeled slices of apple; wholemeal toast scraped with Marmite or honey, with no crusts, cut into squares about the size of a postage stamp – give half a slice at a time; mashed potato made with cooked potato, boiling water and a pinch of salt; vegetable soup, home made; fruit or cooked vegetables; all in very small quantities.
After diarrhoea and vomiting, no meat, fish, fatty food or dairy up to a week after better. If dairy or normal diet is introduced and symptoms start again go back to fasting or light diet until symptom free.
Honey on a teaspoon is very good for sore throats and stops harmful bacteria from multiplying (not advised in babies less than 1 year)
3 – Rest
REST is extremely important; if symptoms are minimal then it a child may run around and then rest when tired, otherwise they must rest and sleep in order to get well. Have the child in the room you are in helps, so that they do not feel ‘abandoned’.
No TV/ computer/ books – audio material or being read to are fine.
Room temperature cool – between 15.C and 18.C
