Calf wraps for baby and child: home remedies for fever
Calf wraps are a classic and a proven home remedy for fever. They lower fever and have a refreshing effect on your child. Learn here how to use calf wraps correctly to lower your child’s fever.
Calf wrap for fever
The calf wrap is a tried and testedhome remedy for feverand a cold application on the body with a refreshing and relaxing effect. The aim and purpose of the calf wrap is to dissipate the heat caused by the fever and thusreduce the fever.
How long and often can calf wraps be used?
It is important to note:
- Never use calf wraps on babies under 6 months of age, as they may experience circulatory collapse.
- Make sure that your child’s limbs, i.e. his feet and hands, are warm and therefore well supplied with blood. If your child freezes despite high fever or has cold feet, this indicates poor circulation. Then calf wraps should not be used under any circumstances, otherwise your child is at risk of hypothermia.
- For small children, you should measure the body temperature more often when using the calf wraps. A ten-minute application is often sufficient for them. Otherwise, there is also a risk of cooling down in this case.
- The body temperature should not drop by more than 1°C.
What you need for calf wraps
- 2 small towels
- 2 larger cloths
- a bowl of lukewarm water
- a waterproof pad to protect the lying surface or, if necessary, a thick, absorbent towel
- aclinical thermometer
Apply calf wraps
- In a first step, place a waterproof pad or alternatively a thick, absorbent towel on the lying surface for protection.
- Place the two smaller cloths in the bowl with the lukewarm water. Then take them out and wring them out.
- Put a wet cloth around each of your child’s lower legs.
- Then place the larger cloths dry over it.
- Leave the calf wraps around your child’s lower legs for about five minutes.
- Renew the wraps by placing the inner cloths back in lukewarm water, wringing them out again and putting them around your child’s calves again.
- Repeat this process two to three times. Then you can stop using the calf wraps on your child.
- Then measure your child’s body temperature with the fever thermometer. How to measure fever in your child correctly, you can read in our articleMeasure fever correctly.
You have already taken numerous measures and used several home remedies, but your child’s fever still does not want to decrease? Find out here when you should definitely consult a doctor if you have a fever.