Treating Fevers

I am going to probably delve into a controversial topic here. But this is what *I* do and what works for *me*. That is why I am writing about it in Works For Me Wednesday. :)

I am an unconventional mommy when it comes to treating my children's sickness. I believe that the mom and dad have the ultimate responsibility for taking care of their children and their health. Which I believe means, they should inform themselves as much as they are able on how to care for their children during sickness.

I have chosen the topic of fevers because this is where I seem to get a lot of raised eyebrows over, so I thought that maybe if I gave some information about it, some would understand where my husband and I are coming from.

When my child shows sign of sickness, and a fever begins, I do not rush to the medicine cabinet and bring out the Tylenol. I went to an MD who told me that the fever is the bodies natural way of fighting the sickness that the child is dealing with. Bringing the fever down for the sake of bring the fever down can actually prolong the sickness.

Instead, I should try to find out what the sickness *is* and treat the sickness not the fever. Sometimes it is a cold, so I will give vitamin C, an herbal formula made especially for children etc. If the fever is climbing, a tepid bath brings the fever down for awhile and tends to make the child feel a bit more comfortable.

Also, I make sure that my children get *plenty* of fluids during the fever. Mine like Pedalite or Gatorade. ;-)

There have been times where I have used Tylenol. When the fever reaches about 103 I will give some Tylenol; and this is usually at night so they can sleep better. The high temps seem to climb during the night or during resting periods for some reason.

Many people get scared, thinking that a high fever will cause the child's brain to fry. There is a certain point where that *can* happen, but it is usually a serious disease that would cause a fever to go high enough to do that.

Children who have problems with seizures anyway, are more likely to have problems with a high fever. But if the child is acting "normal" such as talking coherently, crying and whining, and showing signs of *life* the fever is probably best left alone.

When Sweetie had the flu one year at 19 months, her fever got high enough for me to use Tylenol, and I could tell she *needed* it. Tepid Baths were not working, and she would just lay there staring off into space. Once she had the Tylenol she started acting like herself.

I would like to quote Shonda Parker on Fevers. Shonda Parker wrote a book called Mommy Diagnostics, which is a great reference tool in treating your children during a sickness naturally. Her are her thoughts about it:

"Fever and Fever Reducers

Since I am NOT a physician and not the child’s mother, I could never make the decision as to what you should do for your child. Choosing family herbal care is choosing to self-diagnose and self-medicate unless medical attention is needed. Now, it’s also hard without information to be able to make those kinds of decisions. What has the Parker family done in regard to this issue? Two of my children, my boys, have had febrile seizures. I believe this is due to some protective mechanism for their body that God has given them, and yes, when you abruptly change a child’s temperature status, a febrile seizure can result. With both boys, I’ve allowed the fever to rise until 103 degrees (when they are under 2 years of age), then I choose to treat with Tylenol if all of my natural fever measures are not helping. For my older children, I let the fever go as long as they are not miserable. I am always treating with herbs, vitamins, physical medicine, etc. If they are in extreme pain, I choose a pharmaceutical that I’m comfortable with.
Tylenol can be toxic to the liver. I choose to use milk thistle any time Tylenol is used in this house. I NEVER use Tylenol (acetaminophen) if I have previously given any alcohol tinctures or extracts to myself or my family. Tylenol mixed with alcohol, in any amount, is a risky measure – people have died from the combination.
The herbs I use are a combined product of peppermint, yarrow and elderberry as well as feverfew (Yummy Yarrow and Elderberry). In known bacterial infections, I also use white willow. I’m a little uncomfortable using white willow bark during viral infections in children.
I do not use homeopathic remedies. The system of homeopathic medicine would require me not to use my herbs if I were going to use it the way it was intended. I like my herbs and am unwilling to give them up."

Anyway, this is what Works For *Me*. Like Shonda said, I am not a doctor, and it is up to the parent to decide what is best for their child. I am not against using Tylenol to treat fevers, but I don't jump to use it whenever my child has a fever either. So that is what Works For Me. :)

My suggestion with this writing this post, is to inform yourself. A lot of people seem to blindly follow the doctor. And while I believe doctors are wonderful. ( I have used them when my child has been sick) I also think parents should inform themselves and be knowledgeable as possible when it comes to their children's health.

My recommendation is to buy Shonda Parker's Mommy Diagnostics. This is a great place to start to learn how to begin treating your children with home remedies. The book also gives you much encouragement and confidence in your abilities as your child's mother to learn how to effectively treat your children when they are sick.

For More Works For Me Wednesday Tips, please click on the button at the beginning of my post. Have a wonderful day! :)

*disclaimer: I am not a doctor, and I am not telling you that this is what you need to do to treat your child. As a parent please be responsible in *your* own parenting decisions. Thank you! :)

My Laundry System

I am a lazy laundress. With three children, at one point four and under, I may of found a laundry system that is not very stressful, but also not very much according to proper house keeping rules.

First off, I do laundry every other day. I do only one load.
Now I am going to break rules. Once I know that the fabric won't bleed, I throw all my colors together. I wash in cold water most of the time, which doesn't bleed fabrics as easily.

Most fabrics these days are colorfast, however I always question red. So I always wash those separately; until I know that it is color fast.

My wardrobe is very simple I have two jean skirts. One to wash, one to wear. Unless my children's clothing is very dirty or soiled, I make them wear one pair of underware a day.

I put the wash in the morning, and throw it in the dryer later in the day, then fold and put away.

My baby sleeps in the clothes that I dress him in the morning with. Unless he has had a bath, or it will be cold, then I put him in a footed sleeper.

If someone has been sick, then I will wash in hot water. I only wash sheets every few weeks.

I put vinegar in with the laundry soap, and a few drops of tea tree oil.

If I get behind at all, and have a mountain to climb, then I will divide my clothes the proper way. But for now, this is what works for me. Shocking?

For more ideas that work for others, click on the button on top of my post. :)

Works for me Wednesday~ Controlling Toys

Today's Works-For-Me- Wednesday is backwards day. Today we are posting a problem that we haven't found a solution to, and hoping to get great tips.

My number one problem I think in the house is controlling the toys in our home. We have a small house, and space is very limited. The girls room is tiny, and if they just get one set of toys out it is a huge overwhelming mess. Getting them to clean up is a huge task in of itself. I really want them to learn the consequences for dumping out all of their toys at once, so I try to make them clean it up.

However, they truly do get overwhelmed and just walk around the room in a confused daze while they try to pick up toys.

We have purged a lot of toys, but still, it is an overwhelming thing for me to deal with; and them too. I have put the most messy toys up out of reach, which has helped. I have told them to take one thing out at a time. I try to make them clean up their room before they go to bed, but some days that just doesn't happen. I have tried to rotate toys, but that is difficult too, because there really is nowhere to store the unused toys. I have tried containers that are hard to open, but they figured out how to open those. Any suggestions, besides locking their bedroom door?! Thanks! :)

To give you an idea of what I deal on a regular basis, here are some pictures in this blog entry.

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Works For Me Wednesday~Motivated Moms

I have always been challenged with housekeeping. It isn't that I "can't" clean, but it can get just so overwhelming with three preschool children running around the house. I have tried a lot of things; schedules, Flylady, chore systems, etc. While these things have helped me know the basics of running a household, it wasn't until I found Motivated Moms, that things truly began to look up for me, and I felt in control of things.

What is Motivated Moms? Well, it is a housekeeping list *already* planned out *for* you, for the whole year! I don't have to think. :) I just do what the list says. If I do it, then my house stays clean. And the nice thing about it is, the list isn't overwhelming. It gives you your regular chores that must be done everyday, and then gives you little jobs for that day of the week.

For instance, your chores may be just to clean out one shelf in the refrigerator, clean the bathroom mirrors, and sweep the porch. Those are your only chores on top of your have to be done chores, like washing clothes, dishes, etc.

It comes with a little boxes to check, so you actually feel like you are accomplishing something during your day. And at the end of the day, your house looks reasonably great; that is if you stick to the list.

Another nice feature is that it will include things in there that, people like me would *never* think about cleaning. Like cleaning out the air vents, checking light bulbs, cleaning out behind the refrigerator, cleaning inside of the oven. All of this is done in small little steps, so you don't feel totally overwhelmed with housekeeping.

Motivated Moms is instant gratification, because as soon as you buy it, it downloadable with a pdf. file. The cost is reasonable. Around $7 or $8 I believe. Just think, your house work all planned out for you. All you have to do, is check off those boxes, and you have accomplished something. :)

So Motivated moms works for me!

Click on the Works For Me Wednesday labels for more ideas on things that work for others, and then. Click on the Motivated Mom's link to see a sample, and to order one for your self. :)

Works For Me Wednesday~Teething Tablets

This Works for Me Wednesday is for Hyland's Teething Tablets. I am sure many of you have heard of these, and maybe have tried them for your own babies. Many times when I have talked with other ladies about these on forums or in real life, they think it has a placebo effect on the child.
Well I am here to dispel that myth. I believe that they really *Do* work because I have tried them myself. A couple of years ago when my wisdom teeth were coming through, the teeth were causing a lot of pain for me. My gums were sore and swollen, and it was giving me a slight headache. Then I got to thinking, "I wonder if this is how poor babies feel when they are teething?" I happened to have some for my own little girl, and I thought that there was no harm in at least trying the tablets. I popped a couple under my tongue and it helped soooo much! It didn't take the soreness completely away, but it took the sharp hurting away, and my slight headache was gone. They really helped me get through that tough time in my life! Ha ha! :)
As one that can *talk* to vouch for this product; they worked for *me* as an adult, so I am pretty sure they will work on your baby too. I know that my baby was a lot less fussy after I gave her these; plus they are very safe to use, I don't believe you can overdose on these.(Disclaimer: just be sure to read the label, and Never leave medication within a child's reach).
Another consideration is that a paramedic warned us in my MOPS group that Baby Orajel can be dangerous because it causes extra saliva to produce in the mouth, and if the baby sleeps, they could choke on their own saliva if you give that to them right before bed time. Another reason to gives these a try.
I have found them in my local supermarket in the baby section, but I do know for sure you can get them at a health food store. So that is my Works For Me Wednesday Tip. :)

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