According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, normal baby temperature ranges from 97-100.3 degrees Fahrenheit. To qualify as fever, your baby’s temperature must register 100.4 degrees, or higher, on a rectal thermometer.
So, that’s the “technical” definition of a fever. In terms of “what is a normal baby temperature?”, discomfort, sweats, and chills as we know can be all over the board. Let’s focus on what’s really being asked here, what to look for, when to be concerned, and also what to do.
When to Worry
Perhaps, we should amend that to “when to worry-less”. Moms are naturally concerned when their little one demonstrates with flushed cheeks and crankiness. However, babies can develop two different types of fevers.
The worry-less type is a viral fever, which should subside within three days. This is the type fever that appears when the body attempts to stave off a viral illness, such as the common cold or influenza. Antibiotics are useless for the viral fever.
The worrying kind of fever is bacterial. Here, the body is fighting off bacterial-driven illness, such as bacterial pneumonia or ear infection. Viral type infections should be treated with antibiotics, as they can result in serious diseases.
Fevers that hang-on longer than three days require medical intervention.
Normal Baby Temperature 1-3 Months Old
The caveat is in babies younger than three months, ALL fever is serious. A temperature including or more than 100.4 could constitute an emergency.
First, consult your baby’s pediatrician. Remind him of your baby’s age. Outside business hours, take your baby to the nearest emergency room. They will run tests to differentiate between viral and bacterial fever.
Signs of Fever in Babies
A warm forehead is the classic sign of fever in babies. Occasionally your baby’s forehead remains cool, yet he’s really tired and fussy.
She may have lost her appetite or doesn’t want to play. He may be lethargic.
Observe Your Baby, Not Numbers
This goes against everything we thought we knew about fever. Old thought was: higher fever = sicker baby. Now, medical practitioners are focusing on comforting baby rather than eyeing the thermometer.
Because fever fights illness, we should let fever run its course, unless it gets abnormally high.
Don’t panic when the thermometer reads above the normal baby temperature. Instead, reach for the Ouchie Cap. Frozen gel packs help reduce the fever naturally and comfortably, without the sting of ice packs or condensation. Use the gel packs warm to help fight chills that may accompany fever.
Okay so…you’ve identified the fever and now you want to treat it holistically. Check out our post: How to Treat A Low Grade Fever Holistically
Or, click to see how the Ouchie Cap is a cozy Natural Fever Reducer. 🙂
