Baby care

Baby fevers: what to do, and when to worry

4 min read · MyBloomingBelly editorial

Memorise one rule above all: a baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher needs a doctor the same day — even if they seem okay. Tiny babies can’t localise infections, so young-infant fevers are always checked properly. This is the single most important sentence in this article.

Measure with a digital thermometer — under the armpit is the practical home method (add roughly half a degree to estimate core temperature), and never rely on a hand on the forehead. Note the number and the time; doctors love a log.