What to Do If Your Baby Has a Fever

It's not uncommon for babies to get sick, but a fever is one of those symptoms that can send parents into a panic. These elevated temperatures can pop up suddenly out of the blue, go away and come back again, or even appear halfway through another illness, turning a mild cold into a more severe one. They may even show up when a baby is teething.

However the fever manifests, it's a surefire way to catch a parent’s attention and ignite a flurry of anxiety—especially if your child is still fairly young. Because babies can’t tell you how they’re feeling, discovering your baby has a fever can feel overwhelming.

Consequently, it's helpful to discover what may be at the root as well as what you can do to alleviate their discomfort. Here's what you need to know about fevers and what you can do to help.

Why Your Baby Has a Fever

First of all, it’s important to remember that fevers are not necessarily bad or harmful—they are not an illness, but rather a sign that your baby’s body is fighting some kind of infectious disease or pathogen.

Our bodies often turn up the heat when we’ve been exposed to an infectious disease—it’s the body’s way of responding to foreign intruders, and can even be a sign that it's busy making antibodies to attack whatever germ has slipped through the immune system cracks.

Most of the diseases that cause fevers are common childhood viruses or bacteria that are harmless and will resolve on their own. Some common reasons why babies get fevers include:

• Colds and influenza
• Croup
• Ear infections
• Routine immunizations

There are a few other reasons why babies get fevers, but these are much less common. If your baby develops a fever, it’s far more likely they have a typical childhood virus. That said, some serious conditions also can cause fever, such as:

• Autoimmune disorders
• Heat stroke
• Meningitis
• Pneumonia
• Urinary tract infection

As for teething, the research is mixed on whether or not teething causes a fever. There has been some evidence of fevers with a rectal thermometer in babies who are teething, but a 2017 meta-analysis found few suitable studies linking fever and teething.

Doctors warn that parents should rule out other illnesses like an ear infection or a urinary tract infection before just assuming their baby's fever is caused by teething.

Unless your baby is very young (under 3 months old) or you have noticed other worrying symptoms along with the fever, you don’t need to call the doctor right away. However, if your baby isn’t drinking or keeping down any fluids, is vomiting or having diarrhea, has a rash or bruising, or is under 3 months of age with a rectal fever over 100.4 degrees, you should contact your doctor right away.

Physical Signs

If you suspect your baby might have a fever but you’re unable to take their temperature, there are other physical signs of fever you might be able to observe. These include:

• Fatigue or lethargy
• Fussiness or irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Paleness or skin rash
• Pulling or tugging at the ear
• Skin that is hot to the touch, especially on the forehead or trunk

Keep in mind, some babies won’t show any outward signs of fever, while others will have physical reactions with even a low-grade temperature.

Taking Your Baby’s Temperature

There are several ways to take your baby’s temperature, including on the forehead or in the ear, orally, under the arm, and rectally. For young children, a rectal temperature is usually preferred because it’s more accurate. Use a digital thermometer for the best results.

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends avoiding taking your child’s temperature when they have been exposed to extreme temperatures, like right after a hot bath, after drinking hot or cold beverages, or after they have been dressed very warmly.

Types of Thermometers

Generally, the old-fashioned glass thermometers are no longer recommended due to safety concerns about breakage and mercury exposure. A newer digital thermometer will provide a more accurate—and safer—reading. But what kind should you buy? 

• Temporal, or forehead, thermometers are a non-invasive way to quickly check your baby’s temperature. They are considered fairly accurate for kids of all ages, including very young babies.
• Ear thermometers are also an easy way to take your baby’s temperature, but only if he or she is 6 months of age or older.
• Rectal, oral, and/or under arm thermometers can be useful for babies. Grab a three-in-one style that has interchangeable tips clearly marked for use.

Treatment: What You Can Do

Whether or not you treat your baby’s fever mostly depends on their other symptoms. Fevers under 102 aren't necessarily harmful in babies older than 3 months and don’t need to be treated unless your child seems uncomfortable or is uninterested in drinking.

If you want to treat your baby’s fever, however, there are some easy ways to tackle it at home. If your baby is older than 3 months, you can give them a dose of infant ibuprofen or acetaminophen to lower their temperature. Dosages depend on age and weight and are usually outlined on the medication package, but if you're still unsure, call your doctor to confirm.

Encourage your child to rest and eat or drink normally, though you may have to be more flexible about meals and snacks while your child has a fever. It’s more important to keep kids hydrated.

A breastfeeding baby should be allowed to nurse as often as they want. If you are formula feeding, make sure to offer regular bottles and be willing to feed in different places or positions if your baby is uncomfortable.

Children with high fevers who have not responded to fever-relieving medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may benefit from a 20 to 30 minute sponge bath. However, you should not use cold or ice water, or rubbing alcohol. If your child shows signs of being chilled, like shivering, stop the bath.

Finally, resist the temptation to under- or over-dress your child in response to a fever or chills. Lightweight clothing and blankets that can be easily removed are the best option to avoid overheating. Too many warm layers can trap heat within the body and raise your child’s temperature even more.

When to See a Doctor

Your baby’s age is a major factor in deciding whent to call your doctor, along with the severity of your child’s symptoms. Babies under 3 months old should be treated for fevers over 100.4 degrees right away.

If your baby is older than 3 months—and their temperature is less than 102 degrees—you can wait at least one day before calling your doctor, though you may want to call sooner if the fever is accompanied by other symptoms, like vomiting and diarrhea, rash, or severe cough.

Although fevers are relatively common in babies and usually a sign of mild illness, there are times when a fever can signal an emergency situation. Any fever persisting for more than three days—even if it’s not accompanied by other symptoms—should be reported to your doctor.

In some cases, a fever caused by illness can trigger a seizure in children between 6 months and 5 years of age. This phenomenon is called a febrile seizure, and it happens in 2% to 5% of American children, per the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Though frightening for parents, most febrile seizures don’t cause long-term health effects and aren't necessarily a sign that a child has epilepsy. If your child has a fever and also displays signs of a seizure—such as convulsions or loss of consciousness—make sure the area around the child does not pose a hazard, and call for emergency care immediately.

If Your Baby Still Has a Fever

If you’ve seen a doctor for your child’s fever, they should provide guidance on how to handle your child’s illness over the next several days. They may tell you to call back after a certain amount of time if the fever hasn’t resolved depending on what they suspect is the cause.

If your child seems to recover from a fever or illness only to end up with another fever, you should contact your doctor. You also should reach out if your child has had a lingering fever for more than a few days or has repeated bouts of fevers that come and go over the course of several weeks.

How to Prevent Future Fevers

You can’t prevent fevers, but you can prevent some of the illnesses that cause them. Practicing good hygiene—like washing your hands before handling your child and staying away from sick people—can help keep your baby from coming down with many common infectious diseases that cause fevers.

Because some vaccinations also may cause fevers, especially in younger babies, you may want to proactively give your child a dose of infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen after vaccination if they are prone to vaccine-related fevers. For most children, though, this isn’t necessary.

The younger your baby is, the more prone they may be to developing a fever. Again, this is normal—you can treat the fever per your doctor’s recommendations, only notifying your doctor if it doesn’t resolve in a day or two. 

A Word From Verywell

Sickness in babies is pretty common, which means fevers are, too. Although most fevers are not a major cause for concern, you should contact your doctor if your newborn has any kind of fever.

If your older baby has a fever along with other concerning symptoms or if your baby, regardless of age, has a fever for more than a few days, you also should contact your doctor. Otherwise, perform basic at-home comfort measures for your baby—and always feel free to call your doctor with any questions or concerns you have.