When your baby or infant has a fever: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P 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.
P 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.

T What to Expect at Home
P Fever is an important part of the body's defense against infection. Many older infants develop high fevers with even minor illnesses.
P 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.

T Eating and Drinking
P 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.
P Children can eat foods when they have a fever. But DO NOT force them to eat.
P 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

T Treating Your Child's Fever
P 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.
P 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.
P 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.
P 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.

T When to Call the Doctor
P 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
P 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
P 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
- Has blue lips, tongue, or nails
- 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

T Alternative Names
P Fever - infant; Fever - baby

T References
P Mick NW. Pediatric fever. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 166.
P Nield LS, Kamat D. Fever. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 176.

T Read More
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Cough
- Fever
- Flu
- H1N1 influenza (Swine flu)
- Immune response
- Pneumonia - adults (community acquired)
- Stuffy or runny nose - children

T Patient Instructions
- Colds and the flu - what to ask your doctor - child

T Review Date 10/18/2017
P Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

T Related MedlinePlus Health Topics
- Common Infant and Newborn Problems
- Fever

