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Sep 29, 2017
Emma Bowes
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Isn't being a mother good enough?
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Emma Bowes
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Emma Bowes
Gratitude - How to create happiness everyday
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May 16, 2017
Emma Bowes
Vitamin K2 – 9 things you need to know
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May 9, 2017
Emma Bowes
How affirmations can change your life
May 9, 2017
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May 9, 2017
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Apr 20, 2017
Emma Bowes
How to treat your child’s fever, as naturally as possible.
Apr 20, 2017
Emma Bowes
Apr 20, 2017
Emma Bowes
Apr 13, 2017
Emma Bowes
Why being diagnosed with Melanoma rocked me to my core.
Apr 13, 2017
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Apr 13, 2017
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Apr 7, 2017
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The Blessing my Third Baby has taught me
Apr 7, 2017
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treat-your-child’s

How to treat your child’s fever, as naturally as possible.

April 20, 2017

My baby girl was SO sick this past week. The boys have been bringing home all sorts of germs from kindy, and it was only a matter of time before Mia picked up some of those germs. What is it with brothers smothering their sister and popping their fingers in her mouth?? Don’t they get that she doesn’t love it?! :)

At the peak of her illness, Mia had a 40.5°C temperature. I knew this was getting dangerously high. Anytime a child has a temperature over 40°C (104° F) that is a red flag and it’s time to get them to a doctor ASAP. So I knew I had to try and get the temp down. I was taught at University to give Paracetamol (commonly Panadol, or Acetaminophen in the US)  or Ibuprofen (commonly Nurofen) to help reduce the temperature. With my first two children I would have automatically turned towards this solution and dosed with pain medication. However, these days I am much more reluctant to just reach for medication (the reasons behind this I will explain in a minute). A good friend of mine, a nurse, called me to check how Mia was going. I told her she had a 40.5°C temp and her response was “Are you doing alternate dosing with Panadol and Nurofen to keep the temp down?”. I could hear in her voice that she was horrified when I said that I hadn’t given any pain relief. I was in her shoes only a few years ago, when my traditional pharmacist training was all that I knew. But the guidelines for controlling a temperature have changed, and it got me thinking, how many other parents out there are following the old school of thought on this one.

So here you go. This is how you treat a fever, based on the latest research and keeping in mind natural options where possible.

1.    What causes a fever?

The presence of a fever usually signifies that the body’s immune response is activated and is fighting an infection. A fever is a positive immune response to a virus or a bacteria that has entered the body. By increasing the body temperature, it makes the body less favourable for the nasties to set up camp, replicate and spread throughout the body. Our body really is an amazing and sophisticated being! So allowing the body to have a mildly elevated temperature can be a good thing by giving the immune system a chance to fight the nasty invaders. It is thought that by lowering the temperature with pain relief medication, that you can interfere with body’s natural immune response and can prolong the illness. A fever will usually go away within a couple of days.

2.    What is a normal temperature?

A “normal” temperature can vary from person to person, and can also vary throughout the day. Body temperature is lower in the morning and higher in the afternoon and evening. Normal can be anywhere from 36.1-37.2°C (98.6° F). It is a good idea to check your child’s temperature when they are well so you know what their baseline is. It’s also helpful to work out how to use your thermometer BEFORE your child is sick. Trust me, I’ve been there! It’s not fun for anyone trying to work out how to use the goddamn ear thermometer at 1am with a screaming, miserable baby and a very stressed out Mumma and Dadda!!!

3.    When is a fever too high?

A fever is considered to be anything over 38°C (100°F). Fevers are very common in childhood illnesses and a fever alone is not cause for alarm. It is very important to monitor the temperature regularly (I usually measure hourly), and to record the temperatures. It is amazing how easy it is to forget what happened earlier in the day when you are sleep deprived, and nursing a sick child (you’ve all been there right?).

4.    How to treat a fever?

According to latest research, there is no benefit in lowering a child’s fever, except to provide comfort to the child. These are important tips to remember when trying to manage a fever:

  • Give plenty of water, a child can become dehydrated very quickly

  • If your child is under 6 months old, give extra breastfeeds or cooled, boiled water.

  • If your child is older than 1 year, you can give oral rehydration drinks or ice blocks such as Pedialyte, Hydralyte or Gastrolyte. I like to use the ones without any added colouring.

  • Do not worry if your child refuses to eat while they have a fever. Keeping up fluids is the most important thing.

  • Keep your child cool by dressing them in light clothing. Enough so they aren’t shivering. Keep the room temperature cool and only use a sheet or a light cotton blanket when sleeping.

  • You could try giving a tepid bath (the water should be luke warm NOT cold). This can be effective in helping cool the body but can cause discomfort in some children.

  • A cool face washer on their forehead may bring relief

  • Plenty of rest. Allow your child to rest and sleep as needed.

  • Monitor your child for any signs that they are getting worse and contact your doctor immediately

5.    When to use pain relief?

Paracetamol (Panadol or Dymadon) and Ibuprofen (Nurofen) are pain relief medications that can be used for their anti-pyretic effect (lowering a fever). As mentioned above, the latest guidelines recommend there is no benefit in lowering a fever except to provide comfort to your child. Remember, allowing the body to have a slightly elevated temperature is important to fight the invading nasties in the body.

If however, you feel that you need to give medicine to help with your child’s discomfort these are the recommended guidelines:

  • If the fever is above 38.5°C and your child is miserable or has other symptoms such as a sore throat or sore ear, they may be given pain relief.

  • Follow the correct dose according to your child’s weight on the bottle or packaging.

  • Paracetamol can be given every 4 hours as direct on the bottle. No more than 4 doses should be given within 24 hours.

  • Paracetamol is a common ingredient in other medicines. Be sure when giving paracetamol to your child that they haven’t had any other medicines containing paracetamol within the last four hours.

  • Ibuprofen can be given every 6-8 hours as directed on the bottle. No more than three doses in 24 hours should be given.

  • Ibuprofen is best given with or soon after food

  • If your child has asthma, Ibuprofen may cause wheezing. It is best to give Paracetamol

  • It is ok to alternate dosing of Paracetamol and Ibuprofen. The latest research states that there is inconclusive evidence that alternating doses has any better effect on reducing the fever, than dosing with either Paracetamol OR Ibuprofen. Alternating doseing does however provide good relief of discomfort in the child.

However, it is easy to accidentally give too much of either medicine. It is important to keep a diary of dosage times and make sure you do not exceed the maximum dose in 24 hours.  

6.    When to seek medical advice?

  • If your child is under 3 months old and has a temperature over 38°C

  • If your child has a temperature above 40°C and it does not lower after trying any of the options above

  • If your child has not improved within 48hrs

  • If your child has any of the following symptoms with their fever:

- Complaining of a stiff neck or light hurting their eyes
- Vomiting and refusing to drink (they can get dehydrated very quickly)
- A rash
- More sleepy than usual
- Problems with breathing
- Or if your child is in pain

When in doubt contact your GP, 13 HEALTH (in Australia) or your emergency department for advice. A new service has launched in Australia called Doctors on Demand, which might be handy for you and your family. You can instantly have a video conference with a GP. I've used it, it's simple and easy to use, and so handy when you either can't, or don't want to bundle everyone into the car to visit the doctor. 

I hope this helps you navigate with a bit more clarity and confidence the next time your bubba is sick.

Honestly,

← How affirmations can change your lifeWhy being diagnosed with Melanoma rocked me to my core. →
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Hello, I'm Emma.
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Selfcare, self-love, self-compassion

I’m an open-hearted seeker, passion-fuelled writer, speaker and an advocate for living life fully alive.  

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latest adventures...

.
I take a breath
I feel the space
I’m slowing down
I see the light
. 
Nature calls
I bathe in her
I’m energized 
I see the light
. 
It’s in the space
My cells renew 
I feel the glow 
I see the light
.
I surrender fully 
To all of it 
I’m in the flow 
I see the light
.
I slow, I glow
I flow , I’m clear
I see the truth 
I AM the light
. ~ eb

#wordsbyme #poem #poetry #honestlyemma #byronbay #lighthouse
These Byron days have got me like 😴😴
.
Chilled. Completely chilled
.
Feeling completely relaxed and settled
.
I’m enjoying the slower pace
.
I called in and created a program last year called “Slow Down Sista”.... and well, I’ve heeded the advice
.
I’ve been called to slow down and I’m slowing down like never before
.
Creating space to BE and experience LIFE
.
It’s quite a strange feeling to not be striving for anything
.
For years I was striving in Pharmacy ownership and then in launching Honestly Emma. Even though HE was driven by passion, there was still a push to succeed
.
For the first time that I can remember, I am happy to BE, just as I am
.
In the here and now
.
There’s no projecting into the future
.
I’m living life in flow and it feels SO good
.
And the best part..... I can feel something is brewing. I don’t know what it is, but I’m going with it. .
I’m trusting. I’m trusting the need for space right now
.
Trusting that in the space I’ll find the answers.
Because it’s ALWAYS in the space that you find your truth
.
Byron.... 2 months in and I adore everything about you already 💖
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📷 @holly_doyle #byronbay #byronlife #thepass #slowglowflow #inspiredliving #slowdown #glowfromwithin #livelifeinflow #honestlyemma #functionalmedicine #thisisliving #theslowlane #slowdownsista
Super excited to be creating another @sistahoodco event with my Sista @rachelliob1 
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We have incredible speakers again this year. Women who have created amazing businesses, not-for-profits, overcome incredible adversity, and basically a group of women whose mission is to inspire other women to live their best life. 
_
I’m looking forward to taking to the stage again. So much personal growth has happened in the last 12 months, I’m excited to share the latest knowledge and insights from the world of mind-body medicine!
_
We are tracking towards another sell-out event. So if you’ve seen the event and thought YES!, then you’d better jump on and grab a ticket. Would hate for you to miss out!
_
March 7th, Cloudland, Fortitude Valley.
For more info and tickets go to www.sistahoodco.com
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#sistahoodco #sistahood #sisterhood #womensupportingwomen #rochellecourtenay #susanpearse #belindaanderson #juliecross #dramandafooryland #yourlifeloveit #phoebeyoung #rachelobrien #carolatkinson #allisaoconnell #sheinspires #inspire #riseup
We’ve arrived! Our new home for at least the next 12 months (hopefully longer!) Feeling very much at home already. 
Today the kids and I made a list of all the things we want to do to explore the area over the next few months. 
Everyone chipped in, Ollie flipped through local magazines and added to this list with his own suggestions. 
Can’t imagine we are going to be bored!
#byronbay #byron4kids #explorebyron #northernnsw #seachange #theslowlife #slowglowflow #byronstyle
Trusting is hard sometimes. 
Having come from a life of pushing 
and working hard to make things happen, 
to relax, let go and let things be, 
is a really hard thing to do. 
It's taken practice but I would say
I am soooo much better at trusting 
that everything is exactly as it should be. 
This next stage of life + business 
is all about trusting the universe. 
It feels so good to let go of all control
and follow what feels right. 
I'm creating space in my life for 
the first time in as long as I can remember. 
And I feel so free. 
It feels SO good. 
Try it.... create some space and see how good it feels! .
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#trusting #createspace #functionalmedicine #ifm #iin #healthcoach #foodismedicine #integrativemedicine #slowdownsista #slowdown #tunein #embodyhealth #wholehealth #mindfulness #meditation #wellness #iinhealthcoach #health #mindbodymedicine #bodymindheartsoul #honestlyemma #slowglowflow #energy #harnessenergy #slow #glow #flow #thatsdarling #calledtobecreative
Eeekk! I am so excited to call this place home! In 7 days we are moving our little tribe to Byron. 
This has been a dream of ours for over 5 years now, and we are finally making it happen. 
Embracing a simpler life, a slower life. 
I can't wait to connect with Mama Nature daily. Swims in the ocean, nature walks, sand between the toes. 2 months of days on the beach over summer. 
Heaven! 
It feels like a dream is coming true. 
Byron is the epitome of the slowing down, glowing from within and living life in flow. To say we are excited is an understatement! 📷@photography_byron_bay .
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#byronbay #simplelife #lifebythebeach #functionalmedicine #ifm #iin #healthcoach #foodismedicine #integrativemedicine #slowdownsista #slowdown #tunein #embodyhealth #wholehealth #mindfulness #meditation #wellness #iinhealthcoach #health #mindbodymedicine #bodymindheartsoul #honestlyemma #slowglowflow #energy #harnessenergy #slow #glow #flow #thatsdarling #calledtobecreative

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