© 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Normal temperature hovers somewhere close to 98.6°F (37°C). Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. It's common for children to have minor colds and growing pains, but some physical symptoms can be a sign of a more serious health condition. Avoid taking your infant’s temperature orally or under the armpit. They pose a risk of mercury exposure if they break. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. After hours, you might be able to use a 24-hour nurse line offered through the doctor's office or your health insurance company. Clean the thermometer with rubbing alcohol or soap. The Warning Signs of Dehydration in Toddlers, How to Treat Nasal and Chest Congestion in a Newborn, What Your Newborn's Poop Tells You About Their Health, Do You Have a Fever? Keep in mind that a rectal temperature will be higher than temperatures taken with other methods. You may be able to treat the fever at home with the following methods: If your child is over 3 months, you can offer them a safe amount of children’s acetaminophen (Tylenol). Expect questions about: Before you contact your baby's doctor, make sure you're prepared to jot down any instructions. Corn syrup for constipation: OK for babies? Baby Fever 101: How to Care for Your Child, Children’s Health Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore. You should contact your infant’s doctor or seek medical treatment if: Fevers are generally a symptom of a larger medical condition. Avoid using cold water, as this can lead to shivering, which may increase their temperature. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2016. For higher fevers or other symptoms that are making your infant uncomfortable, medication can help them temporarily feel better. A rectal temperature is recommended for infants of this age group. http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/childbirth-beyond/newbon-care-safety.html. Here are the signs and symptoms. If your baby is younger than 3 months old, contact the doctor for any fever. (Most thermometers have a visual notch or safety guide that demonstrates a safe limit for rectal insertion.). Keep your home and your infant’s room cool. Teething isn’t considered a cause of fever. If your baby is 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature up to 102 F (38.9 C) and seems sick or has a temperature higher than 102 F (38.9 C), contact the doctor. Here's how to tell if you have a fever, plus what you should do and when you should seek help. 100.4°F (38°C) or higher when taken rectally, 99°F (37.2°C) or higher when taken by other methods. Although the average body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C), your normal body temperature might be slightly higher or lower. Turn on the thermometer and insert it only a half inch to 1 inch into your infant’s rectum until the thermometer beeps. Temporal artery thermometers measure the temperature from the forehead and may not work for infants younger than 3 months old. Maintain constant supervision during bathing to ensure water safety. Shelov SP, et al. Avoid using mercury-filled thermometers. Infant development: Milestones from 10 to 12 months. Here are a few other guidelines for taking your infant’s temperature: Make sure to monitor your infant’s temperature during the course of an illness and observe other symptoms and behaviors to determine whether you should contact your doctor. Temperatures of up to 102.5 F if your child is 3 months to 3 years of age, or up to 103 F if your child is older. Offer regular fluids (breast milk or formula) and make sure your baby has tears when crying, a moist mouth, and regular wet diapers. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Alcohol baths or wipes to lower fevers aren’t recommended and can be harmful. In: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. You need an accurate digital thermometer reading to determine fever. Being prepared will save you and your baby's doctor time during a phone call, office visit or emergency situation. Schmitt BD. Dehydration is a possible complication of fever. A slightly elevated temperature in an infant older than 3 months may not require a trip to the doctor. All rights reserved. Infants under 3 months old with a fever require immediate medical attention to diagnose the underlying cause and treat it if necessary. These aren’t considered accurate for infants and young children. Here’s how to take your infant’s temperature rectally: Other devices may provide accurate temperature readings for your infant if you use them according to their instructions. Remove any clothing or diaper from your infant’s bottom. Here’s what you need to know. It may be that your teething infant has another underlying condition causing the fever. Emergencies. Prepare for emergencies in advance by asking your baby's doctor during a checkup what to do and where to go if your baby needs emergency care. This can help prevent them from overheating. When to call the baby's doctor: Print-and-go guide. Newborn poop can vary greatly from one baby to another. Doses are usually based on weight. If your baby also has other signs or symptoms — such as a cold, cough or diarrhea — you might contact the doctor sooner based on their severity. (Water temperature should feel warm, but not hot, to the touch on your inner arm.) FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter, Any change in consciousness, confusion, a bad headache or vomiting several times after a head injury, Unconsciousness, acting strangely or becoming more withdrawn and less alert, Large or deep cuts or burns or smoke inhalation, Skin or lips that look blue, purple or gray. Always check with your doctor before giving any medication to your infant, and see a doctor if your child develops a high fever or if the fever lasts longer than a day or two. This content does not have an Arabic version. Body temperatures are generally lower when you wake up and higher in the afternoon and evening. Here’s a look at the symptoms and best ways to treat your little one. If your baby is 6 to 24 months old and has a temperature higher than 102 F (38.9 C) that lasts longer than one day but shows no other signs or symptoms, contact the doctor. Here's when to contact the doctor — and when to seek emergency care — for a sick baby. Read the manufacturer’s instructions initially and set the measurements to either Fahrenheit or Celsius (in order to report the temperature correctly). Newborns must be seen by a doctor immediately if they develop a fever, while older infants may be treated at home if they develop a mild fever. If your baby has a fever that lasts for more than 3 days, contact the doctor. Pull out the thermometer carefully and read the temperature. Have your pharmacy's contact information ready, too. Taking care of a baby with a fever is stressful for any parent. Treating a fever in an infant will vary based on the age of the child and the symptoms surrounding the fever. A fever is the body's way of battling an illness. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. © 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Dress your infant in lightweight clothing and use just a sheet or light blanket to keep them comfortable and cool. Try sponging your baby down with lukewarm water. In: Pediatric Telephone Protocols. See our safe care and visitor guidelines, plus trusted coronavirus information. Tympanic thermometers read the temperature from a baby’s ear and should only be used in infants 6 months and older. But even parents who have experience with sick babies can have trouble distinguishing normal fussiness and mild illnesses from serious problems. Designate your digital multiuse thermometer for rectal use only and label it to avoid confusion. Accessed Aug. 24, 2016. Look for these signs and symptoms: Fever. These temperatures can be common, but not necessarily worrisome. your infant between 3–6 months old has a rectal temperature of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher your 6- to 24-month-old has a fever above 102°F (38.9°C) for more than a … Young infants are more likely than older children to have a cause for their fever that requires treatment. If you think you should contact the doctor, go ahead. There are many reasons why your little one might develop a fever. If your baby isn’t uncomfortable or fussy from their fever, you may not need to give them any medication. Infant formula: Is tap or bottled water better? Newborn congestion is usually treated at home or resolves without treatment within a couple of days…. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Infants with persistent or high fevers should be assessed by a doctor. Don’t let them move or wiggle during the process to avoid the thermometer moving further into your infant’s rectum. BABYBETTERLIFE.COM, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Normal Baby Temperature And Baby Fever Temperature, How to Reduce Fever in Child Naturally – The Ultimate Guide, When Can Baby Use Bouncer: The Perfect Baby Bouncer Age Range, Best Breast Pump Reviews & Buying Guide 2019, Hospital Bag Checklist (Your Ultimate Guide To Hospital), Best Pregnancy Books (Recommended For Every Mom To Be). 15th ed. New York, N.Y.: Bantam; 2014. your infant under 3 months old develops any elevation in temperature, your infant between 3–6 months old has a rectal temperature of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher, your 6- to 24-month-old has a fever above 102°F (38.9°C) for more than a day or two with no other symptoms, they have a fever that has lasted longer than 24 hours or that occurs regularly, they’re irritable (very fussy) or lethargic (weak or more sleepy than usual), your infant’s temperature doesn’t lower within an hour or so after taking an appropriate dose of medication, they develop other symptoms like a rash, poor feeding, or vomiting, they’re dehydrated (not producing tears, spit, or the usual amount of wet diapers). Newborns — ages 3 months and younger — should be seen by a doctor immediately for any fever. Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.
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