When your little one has a fever, their body is trying to fight the illness. A high fever can make them feel really uncomfortable, so you want to do everything you can for them. Even though it seems like baby food doesn’t really have any health benefits for them, these juices and smoothies are actually great for helping to ease their symptoms and help them feel better quicker.
Fluids are very important when your child has a fever. They keep the body hydrated, which helps prevent chills and Rapid Breathing Syndrome (RBS) that can occur as well as reduce the severity of any vomiting. These symptoms are more likely to crop up if your little one isn’t well-hydrated—which is why having daily juice or smoothie breaks is so important! Here we list our favorite juices and smoothies to help soothe your fussy babe when they have a fever
What is Rapid Breathing Syndrome?
Rapid Breathing Syndrome, also known as RBS, is a serious illness in children that results from breathing abnormally fast. As the lungs try to work harder and faster because of the elevated body temperature and fever, the airway can become constricted. This leads to hyperventilation, which results in shallow breaths that are too rapid for the body. The increased acidity from hyperventilation causes throat irritation, wheezing and chest pain.
RBS is usually seen in young children between 2-5 years old with a fever of 101 degrees or higher and lasts an average of 6 hours per episode. Delivery room patients and those over age 5 often develop this condition with a fever of 103 degrees or above and lasting more than 10 hours per episode.
Make Your Own Fluids for Baby When They Have a Fever
Most parents are reluctant to make their own juices or smoothies for their kids when they have a fever. But, trust us, it is worth giving it a try. When you make your own juice or smoothie for baby, it will be the freshest out of the refrigerator and will help them feel better more quickly! It’s easy! Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Get a good quality blender
2. Start with purified water
3. Add fruits and vegetables that are in season
4. Add ice if needed
5 Best Juices for Babies With Fever
Apple juice
This one is a classic. Apples are a great source of vitamin C and manganese, which can help reduce the severity of any fever. Plus, they have a low glycemic index so they won’t cause blood sugar spikes that could make your little one feel even worse.
Grapefruit juice
You know grapefruit juice is good for you—it has lots of antioxidants and it’s high in vitamin C! It’s also low in sodium and high in potassium, which can help to balance electrolyte levels and prevent cramping as well as minimize fatigue.
Orange juice
Just like grapefruit juice, orange juice is high in vitamin C and helps to fight off both colds and the flu. It also has lots of antioxidants (which boosts the immune system) and is low on the glycemic index. It’s very easy to make up a fresh batch for your little one with some oranges from your fridge or pantry!
Pineapple juice
Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that can break down cell walls resulting in increased absorption of vitamins and nutrients for more efficient digestion. Pineapple also has natural enzymes that can help to protect against infection by reducing inflammation due to oxidative stress within the body. And yes–even though pineapple may not seem like it would be a good choice for someone who already has stomach issues, it actually doesn’t cause problems since its loaded with fiber!
3 Best Smoothie Recipes for Babies With Fever
#1. Apple, Banana, and Spinach Smoothie (with a swirl of OJ)
This is a great smoothie for babies with fever because it is packed full of nutrients including lots of vitamin C and antioxidants. It also has protein, fiber, vitamins A and E as well as iron.
Combine 1/2 cup chopped apple, 1 small banana, 1/2 cup spinach leaves, 3 tablespoons orange juice and 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk in a blender until smooth. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for later use
Fruit juices are a great form of hydration for your little one when they have a fever. They should be given every two to four hours to prevent dehydration. This can be done with the use of a sippy cup or baby-bottle if you’re out and about. When buying fruit juices for your child, you should make sure that they are 100% pure fruit juice without any added sugar or other additives like artificial colors or flavors that might cause health issues in your child
#2. Coconut Water
Coconut water is another great option for providing hydration when your baby has a fever because it’s hydrating without being too heavy on their stomachs.
Combine one can coconut water with 3 tablespoons ice cubes in a blender until smooth and serve immediately or store in the fridge for later use
Coconut water is also loaded with potassium which helps regulate blood sugar levels making it perfect for helping to
3 Worst Juices for Babies With Fever
Fruit juices are great, but they can have a high sugar content that could spike the temperature of your baby. If you’re worried about it, make sure to dilute the juice with some water and a little bit of honey or some other natural sweetener.
Green vegetables contain Vitamin C which is good for fighting off illness while boosting your immune system. Green vegetables, like kale and broccoli, are also packed with fiber to help regulate bowel movements and fight bloating.
Beans and lentils contain zinc which is important for the immune system to keep fighting off illness-causing viruses and bacteria. They are also high in fiber that helps regulate bowel movements and fight bloating as well as helps prevent constipation.
2 Tips to Help You Stay Consistent with Your Juice or Smoothie Breaks
If you have a fever and your little one doesn’t want to eat much, make sure to offer them something healthy like juice or smoothie. But instead of making it just for them, try to modify the recipe so that it is less sugary and more nutritious.
1) Start with a base juice or smoothie that is already sugar-free.
2) Add ingredients that are not commonly added like a banana or avocado.
3) Add some baby greens like spinach or kale, which are packed full of nutrients and vitamins that can be beneficial for fever fighting!
4) Add some probiotics to help keep the tummy good during a fever by keeping their digestive system healthy!
