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When taking your baby’s temperature, use a digital thermometer rather than touch alone, as touch can alert you to a high temperature but isn’t fully accurate.
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Signs of a fever include a back or chest that feels hotter than usual, sweating, flushed cheeks, and behaviours that seem out of character for your baby.
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Fever is the body's natural response to fighting infection, and common causes include colds, ear and respiratory infections, flu, chickenpox, tonsillitis, and vaccinations.
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Most fevers can be managed at home and settle within three or four days. Keep your baby hydrated, comfortable and lightly dressed, and check on them throughout the night.
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Never give aspirin to under-16s, never give paracetamol to a baby under two months, and don't undress or sponge your baby down with cold water to try to cool them.
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Seek medical advice immediately if your baby is under three months with a temperature of 38°C or above, if symptoms aren't improving, or if you're worried for any reason.
First things first, although having a baby with a fever can be worrying and stressful, it's important to note that all little ones get a high temperature from time to time. According to NCT, among parents with children aged between six months and five years, over 60% say their child has had at least one.
Fevers in young children usually subside within three or four days. But for your reassurance and their safety, it's important that you know what a normal baby temperature is, and that you can identify a fever to know if your little one is unwell.
Let's run through what a baby's normal temperature should be, cover the causes and signs of fevers in babies, and learn what you should do if your baby has a fever.
What is a baby's normal body temperature?
The normal average body temperature for a baby is around 36.4 - 37.4°C, depending on the part of their body that you're checking.
You can use a digital thermometer to check your baby's temperature if you suspect they have a fever. A high temperature or fever is usually considered to be anything above 37.5°C.
A baby's body temperature is considered low if it goes below 35°C. A temperature this low can potentially cause a sickness known as hypothermia. You should seek urgent medical attention if you're worried that your baby's temperature is dangerously low.
Signs of a fever in a baby
Your little one may have a high temperature or fever if:
- their back or chest feels hotter than usual when you touch them with the back of your hand
- they feel sweaty
- they have flushed cheeks
- they look unwell or are acting out of character
You may also notice that they shiver or have chills when their temperature is on the rise. When it's falling back to normal, you may see them sweating.
What causes fever in a baby?
A high temperature or fever is a natural response that's triggered by the body fighting against an infection.
Little ones sometimes get a high temperature after having their vaccinations. This is normal and means that their vaccination is working. This type of fever commonly goes away quite quickly, usually within two or three days.
Other causes of a high temperature in babies, children and toddlers include common childhood illnesses like:
- ear and respiratory tract infections
- colds
- influenza
- chickenpox
- tonsillitis
Sometimes, a high temperature in babies is associated with more serious illnesses like meningitis, septicaemia, and pneumonia. If you're worried about your little one's health, you should seek medical advice immediately.
What to do if your child has a fever
In most cases, babies with a high temperature can be cared for at home, and their symptoms usually improve over three or four days.
To help you know how to look after your baby when they have a fever, let's cover what you should and shouldn't do...
| DO'S | DON'TS |
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