At a 9 p.m. call last night, a mom asked if she should wake her 18-month-old for medicine; I reminded her we treat the child, not just the number — dose by weight, offer fluids, keep comfy, and let a comfortably sleeping child rest. For families, I also say any fever in a baby under 3 months deserves same-day care, and for older kids call if breathing is hard, hydration is slipping, behavior worries you, or the fever hangs on past 72 hours — does this align with what you share?
I keep a weight-by-kg dosing card on the fridge and a premixed oral rehydration bottle; if my toddler’s comfy and sipping, I let sleep win — ‘treat the child, not the number.’ Small caveat: I don’t alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen unless a clinician says so, and I’ll use a lukewarm cloth only if they’re really cranky — not the ice-bath Olympics…
But i jot every dose in my phone and set a timer — saves tired-brain double-dosing — and like @craftynotebook5829, if she’s sleeping comfortably I let her be. Small caveat: I’ll rouse just enough to offer a sip if diapers have been dry or breathing sounds off; AAP’s quick guide is solid: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/fever/Pages/How-to-Care-for-Your-Childs-Fever.aspx.
At night I do a 60-second check — hand on chest to be sure breathing looks easy and offer a quick sip — and if they’re comfy, I let sleep do its thing. If lips look dry or wet diapers drop off, I call, and I’ll use a cool washcloth and lighter pajamas instead of piling on blankets during a spike. @craftynotebook5829 love the timer idea; AAP’s overview is solid too: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/fever/Pages/Fever-and-Your-Child.aspx.