When your baby or infant has a fever
Fever - infant; Fever - baby
What to Expect at Home
The first fever a baby or infant has is often scary for parents. Most fevers are harmless and are caused by mild infections. Overdressing a child may even cause a rise in temperature.
Regardless, you should report any fever in a newborn that is higher than 100.4°F (38°C) (taken rectally) to the child's health care provider.
Fever
Fever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...
Fever is an important part of the body's defense against infection. Many older infants develop high fevers with even minor illnesses.
Febrile seizures occur in some children and can be scary to parents. However, most febrile seizures are over quickly. These seizures do not mean your child has epilepsy, and do not cause any lasting harm.
Febrile seizures
A febrile seizure is a convulsion in a child triggered by a fever.
Eating and Drinking
Your child should drink plenty of fluids.
- DO NOT give your child too much fruit or apple juice. Dilute these drinks by making them half water and half juice.
- Popsicles or gelatin (Jell-O) are good choices, especially if the child is vomiting.
Children can eat foods when they have a fever. But DO NOT force them to eat.
Children who are ill often tolerate bland foods better. A bland diet includes foods that are soft, not very spicy, and low in fiber. You may try:
- Breads, crackers, and pastas made with refined white flour
- Refined hot cereals, such as oatmeal or cream of wheat
Treating Your Child's Fever
DO NOT bundle up a child with blankets or extra clothes, even if the child has the chills. This may keep the fever from coming down, or make it go higher.
- Try one layer of lightweight clothing, and one lightweight blanket for sleep.
- The room should be comfortable, not too hot or too cool. If the room is hot or stuffy, a fan may help.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) help lower fever in children. Your child's doctor may tell you to use both types of medicine.
- In children under 3 months of age, call your child's provider first before giving them medicines.
- Know how much your child weighs. Then always check the instructions on the package.
- Take acetaminophen every 4 to 6 hours.
- Take ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours. DO NOT use ibuprofen in children younger than 6 months old.
- DO NOT give aspirin to children unless your child's provider tells you it is OK.
A fever does not need to come all the way down to normal. Most children will feel better when their temperature drops by even one degree.
A lukewarm bath or sponge bath may help cool a fever.
- Lukewarm baths work better if the child also gets medicine. Otherwise, the temperature might bounce right back up.
- DO NOT use cold baths, ice, or alcohol rubs. These often make the situation worse by causing shivering.
When to Call the Doctor
Talk to your child's health care provider or go to the emergency room when:
- Your child does not act alert or more comfortable when their fever goes down
- Fever symptoms come back after they had gone away
- The child does not make tears when crying
- Your child does not have wet diapers or has not urinated in the past 8 hours
Also, talk to your child's provider or go to the emergency room if your child:
- Is younger than age 3 months and has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Is 3 to 12 months old and has a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher
- Is under age 2 and has a fever that lasts longer than 48 hours
- Has a fever over 105°F (40.5°C), unless the fever comes down readily with treatment and the child is comfortable
- Has had fevers come and go for up to a week or more, even if they are not very high.
- Has other symptoms that suggest an illness may need to be treated, such as a sore throat, earache, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, or a cough.
- Has a serious medical illness, such as a heart problem, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, or cystic fibrosis
- Recently had an immunization
Call 9-1-1 if your child has a fever and:
- Is crying and cannot be calmed down
- Cannot be awakened easily or at all
- Seems confused
- Cannot walk
-
Has
difficulty breathing
, even after their nose is cleared
Difficulty breathing
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathingUncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
-
Has
blue lips, tongue, or nails
Blue lips, tongue, or nails
Cyanosis is a bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane that is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.
- Has a very bad headache
- Has a stiff neck
- Refuses to move an arm or leg
- Has a seizure
-
Has a new
rash
or bruises appear
Rash
A rash is a change in the color or texture of the skin. A skin rash can be BumpyFlatRed, skin-colored, or slightly lighter or darker than skin color...
References
Mick NW. Pediatric fever. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 167.
Nield LS, Kamat D. Fever. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St Geme JW, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 176.
Review Date: 11/19/2015
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.