I would not wake my sleeping toddler for a temp check or fever reducer unless my pediatrician told me to. If my toddler were ill and able to sleep, I would let her sleep. More fever reducer and a temp check can be given upon awakening.

My son wakes up crying when his fever rises again after the fever reducer has worn off. But if he didn't do this, I'd probably set an alarm and go check him after 6 hours or whenever the particular drug was likely to wear off. We do have an ear thermometer and that does not usually wake him.

I'd give ibuprofen in 6 hours so he can sleep well. Sleep is very healing, I wouldn't wait until his temp shot up again. I always slip my toddler a shot of baby motrin via oral syringe in the dark and he barely wakes up. For the future I would buy a Temporal artery thermometer that you can swipe on his forehead while asleep, but I really wouldn't wake him to take his temperature otherwise.

That is a pretty high fever to sleep through. I often have to wake my won to administer medicine through the night. He wakes just enough to take his neds and has no problem going back to sleep as if nothing happened. I would def. re-check the temp and administer more fever reducer during the night. Good Luck

www.mybabysleepsatnight.com

Anonymous wrote:Er, well, I'd first touch his head. If VERY VERY hot I'd probably consider waking for more meds, but otherwise the fever really is doing its job and if the child is sleeping that's the whole point.

Totally agree with this -- just put your hand on his forehead. If he has a really high fever, you'll feel it. The best thing a doctor ever said to me was, "He'll wake you up if he needs you." I was no kidding awake all night long with any sick kid before I heard those words.

And again, yeah, sure, get up, but feeling the head is enough. If he's super hot you might want to give him something but you'll know the difference between, say, 101 and 105 and whether or not you're concerned enough to remedicate. I wouldn't worry about whether to wake or not, you'll know.

(I'd also be less concerned based on it being Tylenol that is already in him. Ibuprofen works SO much better in both of my kids. Fevers are also higher in the evening so he probably won't get quite as hot towards 5am anyways)

set up an alarm for 4am and check on him.

In general fevers are self limiting, short of a few exceptional conditions. The fact that it IS responding to the meds is a good sign. He's not going to sleep happily through a dangerously high temp, I wouldn't think, and it is very unlikely to begin with.

Anonymous wrote:23:13 again -- anything 102 isn't high. 104+ I'd give motrin so *I*could sleep.

I agree but the 102.5 while already on fever reducing medication is what bothers me. It suggests to me that when the medicine wears off at 3 to 5 am, his temp could shoot much higher without my knowing it.

(meaning the child is asleep and thus sleeping fine)

23:13 again -- anything 102 isn't high. 104+ I'd give motrin so *I*could sleep.

Er, well, I'd first touch his head. If VERY VERY hot I'd probably consider waking for more meds, but otherwise the fever really is doing its job and if the child is sleeping that's the whole point.

use the ear thermometer to have an idea. if it's on the lower side let him sleep.

How do you decide if you should wake up a sleeping sick toddler in the middle of the night for either a temperature check or more medicine to bring down a fever?

General answers are great; our specific situation is below if anyone wants to give specific advice.

Our 2.5 year old has a highish fever, now going on three days, with cough, some lethargy, little appetite, and okay drinking.

Before bed, while on Tylenol, he had a rectal fever of 102.5. We gave him Ibuprofen for sleeping to bring it down further and because it lasts longer. Would you check his temp or wake him to give him another dose 6-8 hours later or just let him sleep?