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We recommend acetaminophen/Tylenol as a first line treatment
for pain and/or fever. If your child's response does not
seem adequate, try ibuprofen as an alternative.
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You are treating your child, not a number on the
thermometer. Your goal in treating a fever is to make your
child comfortable, not to make the number lower.
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Whenever possible, use your child’s most current weight when
choosing an appropriate dose of medication.
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Do not give both acetaminophen and ibuprofen to a child with
fever. It is OK to “tag team” a dose of the second medicine
on a one-time basis if you are having trouble making your
child comfortable, but this should not be a recurrent
procedure. Please discuss this with your physician.
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If necessary acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used in
alternating doses every 4 hours. For example, Tylenol at
noon then Motrin at 4 PM.
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Temperature should be measured rectally in children under 12
weeks of age. Temporal artery thermometers (swipe along
forehead) can be used after 12 weeks of age. Ear (otic)
thermometers should be reserved for children over the age of
6 months. An oral thermometer is not appropriate until your
child can hold it under his tongue for several minutes
without biting (usually around age 5).
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Never give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to an infant under 2
months of age. In addition, do not give ibuprofen to an
infant under the age of 6 months without specific direction
from a physician.
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Acetaminophen rectal suppositories can be purchased at your
pharmacy without a prescription. They are helpful to have on
hand in case your child has fever or pain and is vomiting
and can’t keep down acetaminophen by mouth. Use K-Y Jelly or
Vaseline to lubricate the suppository and insert in the
child’s rectum every 4 hours as necessary.
