One of the scariest moments in new parent’s lives is the first fever. You have done everything right, kept people who are ill away, and then suddenly your baby gets a fever. Baby fever needs to be evaluated, and treated differently, depending on the age of your infant.
Baby fever in a newborn infant, up to three months of age, is cause for immediate attention. Take the baby’s temperature, preferably rectally. If the baby’s temperature is at 100.4 Degrees Fahrenheit, or higher, immediately contact your Doctor’s office. Do not give any medications without first having approval of your Doctor. If it is outside your Doctor’s normal office hours, either call his emergency number, or the emergency room at your local hospital.
Infants under three months of age are more vulnerable to infections due to their immature immune system. Your Doctor will want to evaluate any other symptoms you are noticing, so make sure you are prepared for his questions. He will likely ask about the baby’s skin appearance, recent urination and bowel movements, and how well the baby is eating.
Don’t panic, fever can also be caused by dehydration, over bundling, and many other more minor issues. This is the reason your Doctor will quiz you about eating and urination, to determine if dehydration could be the culprit.
For babies over three months of age, but less than 6 months, the magic number in a baby fever is 101 degrees. If the infant exceeds 101 degrees, call the Doctor or emergency room and explain the situation. Children in this age are able to start using acetaminophen (Children’s Tylenol) to bring down their fever. Don’t jump to using acetaminophen without consulting your Doctor. You want to minimize the use of medications in young children. For a low level fever, your Doctor may prefer it just follow its course.
After 6 months of age, the level of baby fever to watch for is 102 degrees. At this fever level, you need to call the Doctor, and inform him of all symptoms. Most likely you will be requested to bring your child in for an office visit. After 6 months of age, both acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be recommended to control fever, and aches associated with illness.
In all cases, avoid giving your infant aspirin. Aspirin can lead to Reye’s syndrome, a serious condition.
The recommended type of thermometer for all infants is a digital thermometer. You will have the most accurate readings when taken rectally. Make sure to clean the thermometer thoroughly with alcohol, or cool soapy water both before and after usage. There are also wonderful digital thermometers which work by reading temperatures in the ear, pacifier thermometers, and other fast working thermometers to make determining the severity of the baby fever very easy, and fast.
The most important portion of dealing with baby fever is to remain calm, and if you have concerns call your baby’s Doctor. They are happy to help you understand what is happening with your infant, and will quickly have you on the right track.