As a parent, there are many things that you have to worry about everyday when it comes to your children. Are they eating enough? Are they sleeping too much? Are they on track development wise? But one of the scariest things you can encounter is when your child gets sick. All of a sudden, your child has a fever and you don’t know what to do. Here’s some simple guidelines to follow on when to take your child to the doctor, and when to let them ride it out.

1. How high is the temperature?
For children, a fever is considered a temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. So, if your baby’s temperature isn’t to that point yet, it’s not really a time to worry. If it is, then it’s time to look for other symptoms.

2. How are they acting?
If your child has a fever, they will generally be miserable and they just want to be cuddled. But, are there any other symptoms accompanying this misery? Runny nose, coughing, tugging on their ears, pulling at their diaper, shivering, etc, are all symptoms that something else may be wrong. If your child is acting totally normal other than the fever, then you should wait to take them to the doctor until other developments occur, like if they develop other symptoms, the fever lasts more than three days, or the fever rises over 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Don’t hesitate to call the doctor’s office
Doctor’s offices deal with infant and toddler fevers frequently. If you’re still unsure about your child’s symptoms, just give them a call. In general, they are more than willing to go through a checklist of symptoms and can help you decide if the time is right to take your child in.

Above all else, just relax and stay calm. It’s hard to not overreact when it comes to children, but it’s worse on them if you’re a basket case!