What is the normal temperature for a newborn baby

Fever (0-12 Months)

Is this your child's symptom?

An abnormal high body temperature
Fever is the only symptom. Your child has a true fever if:
Rectal (bottom), Ear or Forehead temperature: 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher
Under the arm (armpit) temperature: 99° F (37.2° C) or higher
Caution: Ear temperatures are not accurate before 6 months of age
Caution: Forehead temperatures must be digital. Forehead strips are not accurate.

Causes of Fever

Overview. Almost all fevers are caused by a new infection. Viruses cause 10 times more infections than bacteria. The number of germs that cause an infection are in the hundreds. Only a few common ones will be listed.
Viral Infections. Colds, flu and other viral infections are the most common cause. Fever may be the only symptom for the first 24 hours. The start of viral symptoms (runny nose, cough, loose stools) is often delayed. Roseola is the most extreme example. Fever may be the only symptom for 3 to 5 days. Then a rash appears.
Bacterial Infections. A bladder infection is the most common cause of silent fever in girls.
Vaccine Fever. Fever with most vaccines begins within 12 hours. It lasts 2 to 3 days. This is normal and harmless. It means the vaccine is working.
Newborn Fever (Serious). Fever that occurs during the first 3 months of life can be serious. All of these babies need to be seen as soon as possible. The fever may be due to sepsis (a bloodstream infection). Bacterial infections in this age group can get worse quickly. They need rapid treatment.
Meningitis (Very Serious). A bacterial infection of the membrane that covers the spinal cord and brain. The main symptoms are a stiff neck, headache and confusion. Younger children are lethargic or so irritable that they can't be consoled. If not treated early, can suffer brain damage.
Overheated. The fever is usually low grade. Can occur during heat waves or from being overdressed. The temp becomes normal in a few hours after moving to a cooler place. Fever goes away quickly with rest and drinking extra fluids.
Not Due to Teething. Research shows that "getting teeth" does not cause fevers.

Fever and Crying

Fever on its own shouldn't cause much crying.
Frequent crying in a child with fever is caused by pain until proven otherwise.
Hidden causes can be ear infections, kidney infections, sore throats and meningitis.

Normal Temperature Range

Rectal. A reading of 98.6° F (37° C) is just the average rectal temp. A normal low can be 96.8° F (36° C) in the morning. It can change to a high of 100.3° F (37.9° C) late in the day. This is a normal range.

When to Call for Fever (0-12 Months)

Call 911 Now

Not moving
Can't wake up
Severe trouble breathing (struggling for each breath; can barely speak or cry)
Purple or blood-colored spots or dots on skin
You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Trouble breathing, but not severe
Great trouble swallowing fluids or spit
Fever in baby less than 12 weeks old. Caution: Do NOT give your baby any fever medicine before being seen.
Fever over 104° F (40° C)
Shaking chills (shivering) lasting more than 30 minutes
Nonstop crying or cries when touched or moved
Won't move an arm or leg normally
Dehydration suspected. No urine in over 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth and no tears.
Weak immune system. Examples are sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids.
Your child looks or acts very sick
You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

Age 3-6 months old with fever
Age 6-12 months old with fever that lasts more than 24 hours. There are no other symptoms (such as cough or diarrhea).
Fever lasts more than 3 days
Fever returns after gone for more than 24 hours
You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Fever with no other symptoms and your child acts mildly ill

Seattle Children's Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Bellevue
Everett
Federal Way
Seattle
Virtual Urgent Care

Care Advice for Fever

What You Should Know About Fever:
- Having a fever means your child has a new infection.
- It's most likely caused by a virus.
- You may not know the cause of the fever until other symptoms develop. This may take 24 hours.
- For infants more than 3 months old, most fevers are good for sick children. They help the body fight infection.
- Use the ranges below to help put your child's level of fever into perspective:
- 100° - 102° F (37.8° - 39° C) Low grade fever: helpful, good range. Don't treat.
- 102° - 104° F (39 - 40° C) Average fever: helpful. Treat if causes discomfort.
- Over 104° F (40° C) High fever: causes discomfort, but harmless. Always treat.
- Over 106° F (41.1° C) Very high fever: important to bring it down. Rare to go this high.
- Over 108° F (42.3° C) Dangerous fever: fever itself can be harmful.
Treatment for All Fevers - Extra Fluids:
- Fluids alone can lower the fever. Reason: being well hydrated helps the body give off heat through the skin.
- For shivering (or the chills), give your child a blanket. Make them comfortable.
- Offer your child extra water or other fluids by mouth. Cold fluids are better. Until 6 months old, only give extra formula or breastmilk.
- For all children, dress in 1 layer of light weight clothing, unless shivering. Reason: also helps heat loss from the skin.
- For shivering (or the chills), give your child a blanket. Make them comfortable.
- Caution: if a baby under 1 year has a fever, never overdress or bundle up. Reason: Babies can get over-heated more easily than older children.
Fever Medicine:
- Caution: Do not give a baby under 3 months any fever medicine. Most of these babies will need to be seen.
- For fevers 100°-102° F (37.8° - 39°C), fever meds are not needed. Reason: fevers in this range help the body fight the infection. Fevers turn on the body's imune system. Fevers don't cause any discomfort.
Give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil) if over 6 months old.
Goal of treatment: keep the fever at a helpful level. Most often, the fever meds lower the fever by 2° to 3° F (1 - 1.5° C). They do not bring it down to normal. It takes 1 or 2 hours to see the effect.
Do not use aspirin. Reason: Risk of Reye syndrome, a rare but serious brain disease.
Do not use both acetaminophen and ibuprofen together. Reason: Not needed and a risk of giving too much.
Pain: fever does not cause pain. If your child also has pain, it's from the infection. It may be a sore throat or muscle pain. Treat the pain, if it's more than mild.
Return to Child Care:
- Your child can return to child care after the fever is gone. Your child should feel well enough to join in normal activities.
What to Expect:
- Most fevers with viral illnesses range between 101° and 104° F (38.4° and 40° C).
- They may last for 2 or 3 days.
- They are not harmful.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Your child looks or acts very sick
- Any serious symptoms occur such as trouble breathing
- Fever goes above 104° F (40° C)
- Any fever occurs if less than 12 weeks old
- Fever without other symptoms lasts more than 24 hours
- Fever lasts more than 3 days (72 hours)
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 04/11/2023

Last Revised: 12/30/2022

How to take a newborn’s temperature

Your best bet is to use a digital thermometer. These can be bought inexpensively in any supermarket or pharmacy and can be used to take rectal (in the bottom) or axillary (in the armpit) temperature readings.

Taking a rectal temperature gives the most accurate reading of body temperature in infants and young children. However, if the thought of doing this makes you squeamish, taking an axillary temperature is the next best choice.

Be aware that temperature strips, which are placed on someone's forehead for a reading, have been found to be poor indicators of true body temperature, especially in infants and children, and should be avoided. The digital thermometer is best for temperature taking at home.

Taking a rectal temperature

Lubricate the tip of the thermometer with a lubricating jelly. Check the manufacturer's directions to see whether water-soluble jelly or petroleum jelly is recommended.
Place your baby on a firm, flat surface such as a changing table.
Using your hand, insert the lubricated thermometer through the anal opening, about one-half to one inch or about 1.25 to 2.5 centimeters into the rectum. Stop at less than ½ inch or about 1.25 centimeters if you feel any resistance.
Steady the thermometer between your second and third fingers as you cup your hand against your baby's bottom. Soothe your baby and speak to him/her quietly as you hold the thermometer in place.
Wait until you hear the appropriate number of beeps or other signal that the temperature is ready to be read. Read and record the number on the screen, noting the time of day that the reading was taken.

Taking an axillary temperature

Remove your child's shirt and undershirt. The thermometer should touch skin only, not clothing.
Insert the thermometer in your child's armpit. Fold your child's arm across his chest to hold the thermometer in place.
Wait until you hear the appropriate number of beeps or other signal that the temperature is ready to be read. Read and record the number on the screen, noting the time of day that the reading was taken.

Additional tips

Never take your baby's temperature right after a bath or if he/she has been bundled tightly for a while — this can affect the temperature reading
Never leave a child unattended while taking his temperature
Temperature should be taken only if the baby feels hot or is lethargic
A baby's normal temperature range:
- Under the arm is 97.5 to 99.3 degrees Fahrenheit or 36.5 to 37.4 degrees Celsius
- Rectal is 100.2 degrees Fahrenheit or less, or 37. 9 degrees Celsius or less
These are the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended ranges. If you have questions or concerns, be sure to discuss them with your baby's healthcare provider

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Temperature in a newborn baby. How to bring down?

When the temperature rises in adults, the algorithm of actions is known. But here we have a newborn baby with a hot forehead - the concerns of parents are absolutely understandable: you should be especially courteous with babies. Yes, and such little ones are unable to either say, or show, or make it clear what specifically worries.

In this article, we will figure out what is the normal temperature of a newborn baby and how to measure it correctly, where it comes from and what to do in general for new moms and dads - when to sound the alarm.

What is the normal body temperature of a newborn baby?

The rise in temperature is the main indicator of the functioning of the immune system. And he does not always report the course of an infectious disease! The fact is that the thermoregulation of the body of a newborn is imperfect. It simply reacts to the general temperature of the room in which it is located.

In a child of the first year of life, the body temperature can be 36, and 36.8, and 37, and 37.5. And that's okay.

If the temperature in the room is above 25 degrees, the baby's body temperature can rise to 37. For the generally accepted 36.6 in the room where the small child is, it should not be higher than 22-23 degrees, and the baby should not be very warmly dressed.

What to do when a newborn has a temperature?

The very first thing is to undress the baby. Let it lie quietly for 15 minutes and measure the temperature again.

An increase in body temperature in a newborn baby up to 3 months is a reason to call a pediatrician ALWAYS.

From 3 months it is reasonable to assess the situation as a whole - look at the general condition of the baby. What can they be?

If the temperature is about 37 degrees, the child is cheerful and active, eats well, without unnecessary whims, then it is worth keeping calm.
If, even at a normal body temperature of 36.8-37, the child is apathetic, refuses to eat and is naughty a lot, or vice versa - he constantly sleeps - it is definitely worth calling a pediatrician. As well as when rising above 38-38.5, even without the slightest cold symptoms (runny nose, cough), or rash (by the way, we already wrote how to treat prickly heat). It is better to do this without delay - within the first two days!
Pay attention to the trembling of the limbs in the baby (febrile convulsions), or the rolling of the eyes at a temperature of 37.5-37.8! This is also a signal for an immediate call to the doctor.
If the temperature of a newborn child has risen, you take certain actions: for example, physical methods of cooling (undressing, airing the room) or giving antipyretics, but within 3-4 hours the temperature does not subside. Call the pediatrician!
Maintaining an even temperature, for example, 37.5, but for more than 5 days is another reason to consult a doctor.
Fever above 38-39 degrees. And she always has a reason. There are 2 types of fever: white and red type.

Consider the type of fever

White type - hot forehead, but cold hands and feet with a marble tint. Plus there may be chills. This is the reaction of the nervous system and blood vessels to intoxication. In this situation, it is worth giving an antipyretic, and simply rubbing the arms and legs (massage) - to restore blood supply, relieve spasm from small vessels, due to which the limbs turn pale or turn blue.
Red type - the child is all hot, wet from sweating. It is worth giving an antipyretic, wiping the baby with water, increasing heat transfer - offering more liquid.

!!! Children up to a year old cannot be rubbed with vinegar or alcohol solution, it is dangerous.

How to measure the temperature of a newborn baby?

The most famous thermometers are mercury and electronic. For all their convenience for kids, electronic thermometers are not very reliable.

A modern and safe analogue of a mercury thermometer - Galinstan. It looks the same, but instead of mercury, a mixture of liquid metals, harmless to humans. They are sold in pharmacies and you probably already have one at home. So Galinstan's thermometers, like mercury ones, are more accurate.

The common practice of measuring body temperature under the armpit is quite revealing. It is better to measure alternately in two armpits and in dynamics. A single measurement does not provide reliable information about the state of health of the child!

In our sanatorium there is a special children's health program "healthy baby". It is suitable for the smallest vacationers from the year! Strengthening the immune system at this age is building the basis for a person’s future longevity.

Before you say goodbye, be sure to read how to strengthen your baby's immunity - it will take 2 minutes! May everyone in your family be healthy!

October 22, 2021 | children's programs

The child has a temperature of 37°C and no other symptoms. what to do?

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Many mothers like to take their children's temperatures for no particular reason (just to be on the safe side). And they are horrified! On the thermometer they see 37-odd degrees! Of course, now their duty is to figure out what is wrong with the child. Although, in fact, everything is in order with the baby: he is just as cheerful and active. True, his activity and cheerfulness quickly disappear at the moment when he has to take a series of tests and go to the doctors endlessly.

The fact is that body temperature does not have to be exactly 36.6 ° C. This figure was taken from 19th century research! And, of course, long gone. Normal body temperature depends on where it is measured. So:

in the armpit, the normal temperature ranges from 34.7°C to 37.5°C
in the rectum - from 36.6°C to 38°C
in the mouth - 35.5°C to 37.5°C
in the ear - 35.8°C to 38°C

In addition, body temperature directly depends on the time of day (it is lower in the morning, and rises in the evening), as well as on the degree of activity and emotional state of the child.

If suddenly you accidentally measured the temperature of your perfectly healthy and active child, saw a figure from 37 ° C to 37.5 ° C, went to the doctor, who quite seriously diagnosed the child with “subfebrile condition” (it is this concept that is commonly called a slightly elevated temperature) - be prepared for endless tests that will show something (after all, absolutely every person has viruses and bacterial bacilli).