Have you ever noticed how your child can seem perfectly fine all day, then bedtime rolls around, and suddenly they have a temperature and an ache that barely got a mention an hour earlier? Turns out, there are real reasons pain feels worse and fevers tend to climb after dark – and a few ways to help your child (and everyone else within earshot), get through the night a little more comfortably.
Why pain can feel worse when the lights go out
Part of the reason pain can worsen at night, comes down to hormones. Cortisol, which helps control inflammation, drops to its lowest levels at night. Your child’s body clock may also play a part. Just like it tells your kiddo when to feel sleepy and when to wake up, it may also influence how strongly they feel pain at different times of the day -and for some children, that means aches and pains tend to be worse once the sun goes down.1
Your child’s brain also has a lot less competing for its attention once the day quietens down. During the day there’s school, screens, siblings arguing over the remote, and a constant stream of things to think about other than that sore tummy or achy ear. Once the lights go out, all those distractions disappear. The pain may not actually be worse, but suddenly it has the stage to itself.2
What makes fever flare up after bedtime
Just as the body clock can influence pain, it also helps regulate body temperature, which naturally rises later in the day. So, if your child already has a fever, the thermometer may creep a little higher by bedtime. Their immune system is busy at night as well, releasing inflammatory chemicals to help fight infection, which can push temperature up further. Add a blocked nose that feels worse when they lie down, thick pyjamas, warm bedding or a stuffy room, and bedtime can suddenly feel a whole lot hotter.3
Helping your child feel better
When your child is hot, sore and grumpy, comfort comes first. Offer drinks regularly, as fever can increase the risk of dehydration. Give your child a lukewarm bath to help lower their temperature. Keep clothing light and use a light sheet or blanket if they feel chilly. If pain or fever is making them uncomfortable, age-appropriate pain and fever relief may help.4
The power to fight pain and fever
Panado®’s Paediatric Range deliver the trusted5 pain relief South African families have relied on for generations. The range includes Infant Drops,6 named Product of the Year 2025 in the Child – Health category following a Kantar survey of 2,000 South African consumers,7 as well as Peppermint Syrup8 with improved taste9 and Strawberry Syrup,10 which is also available in handy single-use 5 ml sachets10 for families on the go.
Panado® products are available from Baby City, Pick n Pay, Checkers including Hypers, Shoprite, Clicks, Dis-Chem and independent pharmacies. For more information, visit: https://panado.co.za/ and join the conversations on Facebook and Instagram. For references and legal disclaimers, visit https://panado.co.za/references.
Approval ticket #11.08.20261000006180. August 2026.
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