5 Ways To Quickly Identify Fever In Your Baby And What To Do
Wondering how to know if your newborn has a high fever? Read on for all the ways to tell if your baby has a fever and what to do about it.
As a first-time mom, it was a complete shock to me the first time my baby had a fever.
Nothing had prepared me for this.
I don’t like being unprepared, and I don’t enjoy not knowing what to do. So I jumped into research mode and asked every doctor questions when I had the chance.
If you’re like me and want to prepare as much as possible, this article is for you.
Fever can be dangerous and, if not treated, can cause serious harm to your baby.
How To Know If Your Baby Has A Fever
Here’s a guide to knowing if your baby has a fever.
1. Raised Temperature
The most typical fever symptom is a high temperature.
You can, of course, measure this with a thermometer, but there are other ways to tell as well:
- Place your hand on your baby’s forehead. It should be immediately apparent that they’re feeling hotter than usual.
- Your baby’s back and stomach could have a higher temperature. Remove their clothing and wait 30 minutes, then check with a touch whether the tummy or back is hotter than usual.
Keep reading for more information on thermometers and what is considered a high temperature.
2. Flushed Cheeks
A fever can cause your baby to have flushed cheeks.
3. Less Active Or Lethargic
If your baby is just lying there, not really moving or responding to stimulation, it could be a sign of a fever.
Older babies may not be interested in playing and will likely be more sleepy.
4. Poor Appetite
When your baby has a fever and is feeling ill, they will likely not be eating very well.
5. Convulsions Or Seizures
Febrile convulsions — also referred to as febrile seizures — are usually caused by a viral infection. If this happens to your baby, they will lose consciousness and shake or jerk their arms and legs.
This sounds scary, but it’s usually harmless. However, because it shows an underlying illness, take your baby to the doctor to get checked out.
Normal Temperature Range
If you’re like me when I first had my baby, you have no idea what the normal temperature range is for your baby.
A baby’s temperature should be between 36 C (97 F) and 37.9 C (100.3 F).
If your baby’s temperature is less than 36 C (97 F), your baby is heading for hypothermia. Dress him warmly and contact your baby’s doctor.
If your baby’s temperature is higher than 37.9 C (100.3 F), your baby has a fever. There are more details below to determine when to worry based on your baby’s months of age.
If your baby has a fever of 40 C (103 F) or higher, they have a high fever and should receive immediate medical attention.
Call Your Baby’s Doctor When…
Fever is the body’s way of fighting an illness, so it isn’t in itself necessarily cause for alarm.
But under certain circumstances, especially for babies, you must seek medical help as soon as possible. Refer to the information below for details based on your baby’s age.
If your baby’s doctor is not available, go to the emergency department at your nearest hospital for medical care.
Younger Than 3 Months Old
- Temperature of 38 C (100.4 F) or higher.
Between 3 And 6 Months Old
- Temperature of 38 C (100.4 F) or higher and is acting lethargic or sluggish.
- Temperature of 38.9 C (102 F) or higher.
Between 7 And 24 Months Old
- Temperature of 38.9 C (102 F) or higher with other symptoms such as a rash, runny nose, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Temperature of 38.9 C (102 F) or higher for longer than a day.
If your baby has a fever of 40 C (103 F) or higher, they have a high fever and should receive immediate medical attention.
Fever For More Than A Week
If your baby has been struggling with a fever that comes and goes for more than a week, it likely indicates some underlying serious illness.
Take your baby to the doctor to determine what could be wrong.
PS: Read on for access to a FREE fever chart to quickly check whether your newborn has a fever.
Causes Of Fever
There are a lot of different issues that can cause your baby to have a fever. But the most common cause of fever is an infection of some sort.
Infections can come in many forms. To name a few:
- Bacterial infection — such as urinary tract infections (UTI), ear infections, throat infections, or bacterial meningitis.
- Viral infections — such as colds, the flu, norovirus, and herpes.
Other causes may be:
- Heat stroke — from spending too much time in a very hot place or being dressed too warmly.
- Inflammation
- A side effect of a vaccination
If your baby falls ill with a fever, you will have to address the cause of the fever as well as the fever symptoms.
That’s why, if you’re unsure or you can’t get the fever to break, it’s best to take your baby to a doctor.
What To Do When Your Baby Has A Fever
- Bathe Or Sponge Bath In Lukewarm Water
Bathing your baby in lukewarm water will help decrease their temperature. It’s important NOT to bathe your baby in cold water, as that could shock their bodies since they are so warm.
So avoid cold baths, and use lukewarm water instead.
2. Give Plenty Of Fluids
One of the most significant risks of fever is dehydration. So you need to ensure you give your baby enough fluids.
You can tell your baby suffers from dehydration if they have fewer wet diapers or don’t shed tears when crying. Take them to the emergency room immediately.
Otherwise, keep giving your baby lots of fluids in the form of breastmilk, formula or water if your baby is older than six months.
3. Dress In Lightweight Clothing
Dress your baby in light clothes, or only leave them in their diapers if the weather permits. This will help their bodies to cool down.
4. Give Fever-Reducing Medicine
There are medicines you can give your baby to reduce their fever but only do this based on the medical advice of your baby’s doctor.
How To Measure Fever With A Thermometer
There are different types of thermometers, and you use each differently.
Digital Thermometer
These are the best way to measure your child’s temperature as they give a fast and accurate reading.
Place the thermometer in the baby’s armpit. Firmly hold their arm against their body for however long it takes the thermometer to give a reading. It’s usually around 15 seconds.
Ear Thermometer
You place these ear thermometers in the baby’s ear for a temperature reading. They are fast but can be pretty expensive. It’s also hard to get an accurate reading if you do not correctly place them in the ear.
Pull your baby’s ear back and up, and insert the thermometer until the ear canal is entirely sealed off. Squeeze the button and hold for 1 second. You can then read the temperature.
Rectal Thermometer
These thermometers are placed in the baby’s rectum to take a rectal temperature reading.
Switch the thermometer on and lubricate the tip with petroleum jelly. Lay your baby on her back, lift her thighs and place the thermometer 1.3 to 2.5 cm (0,5 to 1 inch) in the rectum. Hold the thermometer in place for as long as necessary to read your baby’s temperature.
Strip-Type Thermometers
These are held against the forehead but are not accurate.
Mercury Thermometer
Mercury thermometers are those old-fashioned glass thermometers. They should no longer be used and should no longer be sold in stores.
They are dangerous because they can break and expose your child to splinters of glass and very poisonous mercury.
Fever Is Scary, But You Can Do It, Mommy
The first time your baby has a fever will likely be a shock. It’s scary to know there’s something wrong with your baby, and you don’t know what.
But follow these guidelines, and you should be fine, mama.
And whenever you are in doubt, take your baby to the doctor. Rather safe than sorry, and don’t worry about people telling you you’re overreacting. Put your baby’s needs first.
You got this.
Download your FREE fever chart here.
