Sponge Bath for a Child's Fever

Overview

If your child's fever is over 104°F (40°C), contact your doctor. Before you give a sponge bath to a child who has a fever, give your child an appropriate dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Do not use ibuprofen if your child is less than 6 months old unless the doctor gave you instructions to use it. Wait 30 minutes then check your child's temperature. See whether the medicine brings the child's fever down.

If your child's fever is still elevated and your child is uncomfortable, you might try a sponge bath.

Follow these steps to give a sponge bath.

• Use lukewarm water [90 °F (32.2 °C) to 95 °F (35 °C)].

  Do not use cold water, ice, or rubbing alcohol, which will lower the child's body temperature too quickly.

• Sponge for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Stop if the child starts to shiver.

If your child doesn't like the sponge bath or doesn't feel better after the bath, there is no need to give another one.