Your little one's temperature will fluctuate from time to time, but on certain occasions, it may be higher than normal, and your baby or toddler may have a fever. This may cause worry, as it's your baby’s defence mechanism when fighting infection. It's therefore important to know what a normal temperature is for your baby and toddler and what is classed as a fever, so you know the steps to take to help them feel more comfortable.
What is a fever in babies and toddlers?
According to Dr Deborah Lee, of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, they say: "A fever in a baby or a toddler occurs when they have a body temperature of over 37.5C (99.5F).
When the baby’s body meets a foreign organism, and their immune system recognises this, the hypothalamus in the baby’s brain sends out signals to raise their body temperature as a form of self-defence. This is a way of making it harder for bacteria or viruses to multiply. It also stimulates the production of white blood cells needed to fight off the infection. Although it's worrying knowing your baby has a fever, to some extent, it should be viewed as a good thing, as they are showing they can mount their own immune response, says Dr. Lee.
Young babies under 3 months of age have an immature immune system. A fever in a baby under 3 months old is always a concern. Any young baby with a temperature over 38C (100.4F) needs immediate medical attention.
However, as babies grow, they inevitably have a temperature from time to time as their bodies deal with infections. Although rare, a high temperature in a baby could signify a serious infection such as sepsis and/or meningitis. It’s important to take note of a fever in a baby, monitor them closely and get medical advice and help without delay, if their temperature is not settling, says Dr. Lee.
Common infections include
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Bacterial infections - which cause sore throats, otitis media (ear infections), pneumonia and urinary tract infections.
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Viral infections - which cause the common cold, bronchiolitis, influenza and other respiratory viruses.
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Post vaccination - It’s common for a baby to have a temperature after a vaccination. Vaccines are carefully tested, safe and effective. Parents are urged to make sure their babies and small children are up to date with their vaccinations, says Dr. Lee.
What do fever symptoms look like?
A baby with a fever is likely to be unwell. A fever makes them -
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Look flushed/red in the face
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Feel hot to the touch
An unwell baby may have some or any of the following signs. Note that small babies don’t sweat easily, so this is not a common feature –
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Not feeding as they normally do
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Crying incessantly – it may not be a normal cry
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Be drowsy and hard to wake up
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Look flushed/red in the face. Or they may look pale, or have blue lips
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Feel hot to the touch
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Have rapid breathing – you can see them sucking in their tummy as they breathe in.
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Have cold, mottled hands and feet
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Dry nappies
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Vomiting
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Check for the presence of a skin rash. A meningitis rash will not blanch when you roll a glass over it, says Dr. Lee.
If you are concerned about your baby
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Monday to Friday 9 am - 5 pm - call your GP surgery
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Out of hours - call NHS 111 or take them to A&E
Phone 999 if this is an acute emergency. This could be because -
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Your baby is having trouble breathing
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Your baby won’t wake up
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Is floppy or unresponsive
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Has a skin rash
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Has a fever of 38C or above and is under 2 months old
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May be having an allergic reaction
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Is thrashing their arms and legs, and having a seizure
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Has had a serious injury from you or anyone else?" says Dr. Lee.
My toddler has a fever but no other symptoms
While your little one feels hot, it can immediately cause you to panic; remember, it is common and will usually clear up without any treatment. If your toddler feels warmer than usual, it could also be down to other environmental factors, such as wearing too many layers, too much bedding, just taking a bath, if they've been running around, or if they've had a vaccination (as their temperature will naturally rise). The best way to determine if your child actually has a fever is to take their temperature using a digital thermometer. Any child over the age of three months with a temperature of 39°C (102°F) or above should be taken to see the GP, or if they are closed, call 111.
What can you do?
A digital thermometer (available in pharmacies) will give an accurate temperature reading. Simply tuck it under their arm and it beeps when it’s ready to read. Ear thermometers are good but tend to be expensive, and strip thermometers are less successful because they read the skin, not the body temperature. Whichever thermometer you choose to get, it's an essential for any family medicine cabinet.
Don’t let them overheat – strip them off
If your baby is over two months, you can give them infant paracetamol, over three months, and they can have infant ibuprofen. Don’t let them overheat – strip them off to try and reduce the fever naturally. They should also offer plenty of fluid, regular breast/bottle feeds, and cooled boiled water to stop them from dehydrating.
When to see your GP about a fever
If your baby is under three months and has a temperature of 38 degrees or higher, or under six months and is suffering from a temperature of 39 degrees or more, then the NHS advises seeing your doctor, as it is unusual for children so young to get a temperature. Similarly, if your feverish baby has an unexplained rash or is particularly sleepy, both can be signs of a more serious problem. If a little one refuses fluid for more than eight hours or drinks less than half their usual amount in 24 hours, it could lead to dehydration.
Very occasionally a high temperature causes a febrile convulsion
Symptoms include sunken fontanelles (the soft spots on their head), dry lips, darker than normal urine and/or fewer wet nappies. Very occasionally, a high temperature causes a febrile convulsion. This kind of fit is scary but rarely causes any harm. Most children stop fitting within five minutes. You may want to take them to the doctor or A&E afterwards to get them checked and may even call 999 during it, especially if it’s gone on longer than five minutes or your child’s never had a fit before.