Your baby’s warm forehead or red cheeks signaled a fever, and your thermometer just confirmed it. Does that mean you should immediately call the doctor? Not necessarily.
A temperature at or above 100.4°F is considered a fever. The good news is that most fevers can be treated at home, but it depends on your baby’s age, how high their fever is and what other symptoms they have.
Read on for guidelines on what to do if your baby has a fever.
Baby fever treatment recommendations by age and symptom severity
In most cases, a fever is your baby’s natural immune response to fighting an infection. Your baby’s body is doing its job! But there may be times when a trip to the doctor is best.
A normal temperature for a baby can range from 97°-100.3°F. So if it’s higher than that, here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know.
What to do if your newborn has a fever (less than 3 months old)
Anytime your newborn to 3-month-old has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, it should be taken seriously. Here’s what you should do:
- If your baby is less than 2 months old, go to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible. That’s because young babies can get very sick, very quickly and it’s important to identify the cause and start treatment as soon as possible. Do not give your child any fever reducers like acetaminophen as it can mask the fever and make it more difficult for doctors to assess their illness.
- If your child is between 2 and 3 months old, call their doctor right away. Depending on how high your baby’s temperature is and any other symptoms they may be experiencing, your doctor may suggest monitoring at home or recommend for your baby to be seen.
Also, make sure you use a digital rectal thermometer to take your child’s temperature. This is the best thermometer for a newborn baby as it will give you the most accurate reading.
You can help your baby feel more comfortable by keeping them in lightweight clothing and not over-bundling with blankets. Also, try to increase the frequency of breastfeeding or bottle feeding to prevent dehydration.
What to do if your 3 to 6-month-old baby has a fever
The best way to treat a fever in 3 to 6-month-olds will depend on the severity of their fever and other symptoms.
Keep your 3 to 6-month-old comfortable if they have a mild fever
If your 3 to 6-month-old baby has a fever between 100.4°-101.9°F, but they’re acting normally, you may not need to see a doctor. Usually, the best course of action is keeping your baby comfortable by dressing them in light clothing and making sure they’re getting enough to drink.
Also, you’ll probably start to see more crying, crankiness and mild fevers when your baby starts teething, which usually happens at around 6 months. Teething time can be a challenge, so try out different ways to make your baby more comfortable and teething easier, including a solid teething ring, a wet washcloth or a refrigerated pacifier.
Call your 3 to 6-month-old’s doctor if they have a moderate fever
If your baby’s temperature is between 102°-103.9°F, call their doctor or nurse line for treatment advice. The doctor or nurse will want to know any other symptoms your baby is experiencing, such as not eating or sleeping well, coughing or extra fussiness. Using this information, the nurse or doctor will provide a recommendation on what to do next, which may include giving your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help with comfort.
Seek care immediately if your 3 to 6-month-old has a high fever
If your baby’s fever is 104°F or higher, go to urgent care or an emergency room right away. If you’ve given your child acetaminophen before, give them an appropriate dose before heading out. This can help lower their temperature by a degree or two and keep them comfortable while you wait to be seen by a doctor.
High fevers are not abnormal, but they can lead to other issues, such as elevated heart rate and difficulty breathing. In rare instances, a fast-rising, high temperature can lead to a febrile seizure.
What to do if your 6 to 24-month-old baby has a fever
For babies 6 months old and older, chances are you’ll be able to treat mild and moderate fevers at home. If they’re acting normally, keeping them hydrated is still one of the best things you can do.
If they’re fussier than usual or appear uncomfortable, you can consider giving them an appropriate dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen (Motrin) if they’ve had these medications before. If they haven’t had these medicines before, call their doctor or a nurse line for advice.
However, if your little one’s symptoms begin to worsen or their fever lasts for longer than three days, it’s time for a doctor’s visit. Give your doctor or provider’s nurse line a call if you’d like help determining if you should schedule an appointment.
What to do when your baby’s fever won’t go down
Fevers typically last 3-5 days, with your baby’s temperature gradually going down during that time. If you have a newborn, remember to call your baby’s doctor or nurse line anytime they have a fever. If your older baby’s temperature is not decreasing after three days, make an appointment with their doctor or head to urgent care.
If you’ve given your child a fever reducer like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, it typically takes 30-60 minutes to take effect. If after 60 minutes the medication has not lowered your child’s temp by one or two degrees, call your child’s doctor or nurse line. Depending on their age, temperature and other symptoms, the doctor or nurse may recommend additional medications or that you seek care.
If you’ve given your child a fever reducer and it’s wearing off before the next dosing window, call your doctor or nurse line. It’s possible that your child is not receiving the appropriate amount of medication for their weight and age.
When babies of any age should get immediate treatment for a fever
Call your baby’s doctor or go to urgent care or the emergency room right away if your baby:
- Is unvaccinated and has a fever
- Is crying nonstop or cries when touched or moved
- Is having difficulty breathing
- Is struggling to swallow fluids
- Is shaking or has chills that last more than 30 minutes
- Keeps vomiting
- Has an unusual skin rash that worsens
- Stops peeing
Call 911 for immediate emergency care if your baby:
- Isn’t moving
- Can’t wake up
- Has severe trouble breathing, such as struggling for breath or can barely cry or speak
- Has purple or blood-colored spots or dots on their skin