Parenting 101 - The Basics of Infant Fever

I know from experience, that new parenthood is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life, but it can also be one of the most frightening.  Of the many concerns I hear from new parents, one of the most frequent is that they do not know how to identify and treat their baby’s fever and when they should call a doctor.   While using your instincts is important, being informed about the causes and risks of your baby’s fever is a valuable tool for any new parent.

Temperatures vary throughout different parts of the body, even in babies.  So, depending on your chosen method of taking your babies’ temperature, different readings may or may not mean they have a fever.  If you take your baby’s temperature orally, anything higher than 100° is considered a true fever.  In the ear or rectally, fever is indicated by a temperature of 100.4° or higher.  Axillary temperatures, or those taken in the armpit, indicate fever over 99.1°.

If your child is less than 3 months old and has a fever for any length of time, take the child to the hospital immediately.  Infants of this age are particularly prone to illness, as their immune system is still immature.

In children over 3 months old, fever is not always cause for grave concern.  Unless there are additional symptoms, or the fever is higher than 102.2°, try to lower the child’s temperature with an age-appropriate children’s fever reducer.  Never give your baby aspirin.  This popular adult pain reliever has been found to make children more vulnerable to the rare, but sometimes fatal Reye’s Syndrome.  If the baby’s fever is over 102.2° or has persisted for longer than 72 hours, call your doctor.

If your baby has a fever, but no other symptoms of illness, ask your pediatrician about the use of acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce it. Typically, doctors do not recommend the use of ibuprofen for infants less than six months, because of concerns that the medicine’s strength may make it difficult for parents to detect how sick their child actually is.

While acetaminophen is usually safe for babies, it is important to follow your pediatrician’s suggestions and the medicine’s instructions.  Doses for infants are based on the child’s weight, so always use the measuring device that comes with the medicine to avoid too large or too small a dosage. Always talk to your doctor about combining acetaminophen or ibuprofen with any other medications.

Another factor to bear in mind is that every person, even your baby, has a naturally fluctuating temperature cycle that rises in the late afternoon and early evening and then falls during the night.

Fever in babies is usually caused by infection.  As in adults, fever in infants indicates that the immune system has detected a bacteria or virus and is making attempts to fight the infection off.  However, fever is not the only warning sign that something may be wrong with your baby.

If your child is excessively cranky, lethargic or has a persistent wheeze or cough, call your doctor.  These may be signs of illness not indicated by fever alone. When coupled with fever, red or purple blotches on your baby’s skin may indicate a severe bacterial infection and you should take your child to the hospital immediately.  Fever, combined with irregular breathing (wheezing, trouble breathing or fast breathing) could be symptomatic of pneumonia or bronchiolitis.  If your child has these symptoms, try clearing out his or her nose gently with a bulb syringe.

The Jackson Clinic Pediatricians are committed to serving the children of West Tennessee.  It is our goal to provide superior care that not only meets a child’s healthcare needs, but understands parents’ time constraints as well. Walk-Ins are available.