Fever

It's reassuring to know that fevers in healthy children usually are not a sign of anything serious. In fact, it's often the body's way of fighting infections. But you should still monitor a fever closely, especially a high fever, which can make your baby fussy and uncomfortable and lead to problems like dehydration.

Fevers: What You Need to Know

• A normal temperature is around 98.6°F. It's usually a little lower in the morning and a little higher in the evening.
• A fever is the body's way of raising its internal temperature to fight an infection or illness.
• To monitor your baby's temperature, you'll need to learn to use a thermometer.

Taking Your Baby's Temperature

Make sure you carefully read the instructions that came with your thermometer. For safety reasons and to make sure the thermometer stays in place, never leave your baby unattended while you're taking his or her temperature. The Mayo Clinic recommends the following steps:

Birth to 3 Months

Use a regular digital thermometer to take a rectal temperature.

• Turn on the digital thermometer and lubricate the tip of it with petroleum jelly.
• Lay your baby on his or her back, lift your baby's thighs, and insert the lubricated thermometer 1/2 to 1 inch into your baby's rectum. Stop if you feel any resistance.
• Hold the thermometer in place for about a minute or until the thermometer signals that it's done. Remove the thermometer and read the number.

3 Months to 4 Years

For older infants and toddlers, you can use a regular digital thermometer, digital ear thermometer, a digital pacifier thermometer or a temporal artery thermometer.

• Carefully follow the instructions that came with your thermometer.
• You can use a regular digital thermometer to take a rectal temperature or an armpit temperature.
  • To take an armpit temperature, first turn on the digital thermometer. When you place the thermometer under your child's armpit, make sure it touches skin, not clothing.
  • Hold the thermometer tightly in place for about a minute or until the thermometer signals that it's done. Remove the thermometer and read the number.

After each thermometer use, clean the tip of the thermometer thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or soap and lukewarm water.

Treating a Fever

If you decide to give your baby medication to treat a fever, use the following guidelines, or talk to your healthcare provider. In all cases, carefully read the dosage information on the label.

• Up to 6 months: use children's acetaminophen (like Tylenol).
• If your child is age 6 months or older, you may use either children's acetaminophen or children's ibuprofen (such as Advil, Motrin, others)
• Never use aspirin to treat a fever in anyone age 18 years or younger.

If your child is older than age 1 and is drinking plenty of fluids, sleeping well and acting normally, it is not usually necessary to treat a fever.

When to Call Your Healthcare Provider

Call your healthcare provider if your baby:

• Is younger than age 3 months and has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher
• Is older than age 3 months and:
• Has a temperature of up to 102°F and seems unusually irritable, lethargic or uncomfortable, or
• Has a temperature of 102°F or higher that doesn't respond to over-the-counter medication or lasts longer than one day