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The first time that your baby gets sick with a temperature can be just as upsetting for you as it is for your baby.
Being in the know about what is considered normal, when to be concerned and how you can lower their temperature – can help you in times of stress.
Here are some of the most common questions I get asked, about baby temperatures.
Q 1: What is considered the normal temperature range for a baby?
A: The normal temperature for a baby is between 36°C and 37.5°C degrees, although this can vary according to the time it is taken, the method of checking and the device used. As doctors, while very high temperatures are definitely concerning, we pay more attention to the ‘trend’ of medium-high temperatures as opposed to the absolute number.
Q2: What is considered a high temperature for a baby?
A: Babies under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C are considered to have a fever. A temperature of 38.5°C indicates a fever in older babies and toddlers. A baby’s history, signs and symptoms will often dictate whether a high temperature is of concern, for example, they may have a high temperature because of excess clothing, wraps or blankets. For newborns, sometimes just temperature instability can be a sign of infection.
Q3: What is the best way to take a baby’s temperature?
A: The most accurate measurement of body temperature is with a rectal thermometer, this can be uncomfortable for bub and potentially dangerous to use; I don’t recommend these. For parents, the least distressing are those thermometers that are placed in the ear, rubbed across the forehead, or modern ones that use infrared technology and can be taken from a distance.
Q4: What can be some of the common reasons for a raised temperature in a baby?
A: The most common cause for a short-lived, mild fever is a viral infection, and the slight jump in temperature is a good sign that your child’s immune system is fighting strong. It’s important to note that fever is not an illness, but rather a symptom of the presence of an illness or inflammation. Therefore, it’s important to not only treat the illness symptoms but also the underlying cause, if known.
Common causes of fever include:
- Mild chest colds, ear and throat infections should be of less concern if they are occurring infrequently – up to once per month – and lasting no longer than 48 hours in duration.
- While teething can also be a very common cause of raised temperatures in babies and can occur as early as a few months of age, it’s unusual for this to cause a temperature over 38°C.
- Other causes of raised temperature are chronic disease or overheating caused by sunburn or heat stroke.
- Serious causes of fever include bacterial infection, for example of the urine, lungs (pneumonia), blood or brain (meningitis).
Q5: Are there signs – other than taking a child’s temperature – that can indicate a raised temperature?
A: Having a raised temperature can cause children to be uncomfortable and irritable, and they may complain of feeling cold when they are hot to touch, a raised temperature can also cause flushed cheeks, painful muscles and joints, lack of appetite and sleepiness.
Q6: At what temperature is there cause for concern and what should a parent do?
A: The degree of a fever isn’t necessarily related to the severity of the underlying cause, a fever in a baby under three months should always be reviewed by a doctor to determine the cause. Parents should be more concerned if their child show signs of neck stiffness or is bothered by light in their eyes, as these are possible signs of meningitis. Other signs to be concerned about are excessive vomiting, as this poses a risk of dehydration, the presence of a rash, breathing difficulties or excessive sleepiness.
Should the above symptoms appear in your baby, or if you are simply worried that the fever may represent something more serious, I always recommend going to a doctor.
Q7: What are the ways in which a parent can reduce a baby’s temperature?
A: Small sips of clear fluid will help prevent dehydration and simple paracetamol or ibuprofen will help alleviate some of the symptoms. Removing excessive clothing while being careful not to make a child too cold, and using a damp cloth to pat their forehead and neck can also help. However, reducing the temperature will not help your child fight an infection – it will only make them more comfortable. It is not recommended to put a child in a cold bath, sponge them down or fan them in any way
DISCLAIMER: As always, this advice is general in nature and if you are worried always consult your child’s doctor.
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