How to care for a baby's fever
A doctor explains baby fever symptoms and treatment.
Fevers happen to all of us. But in newborn babies, especially babies under the age of one month, fevers could mean a dangerous infection.
Dr. Alok Patel, paediatrician at Stanford Children's Hospital, explains how to look after your baby at home and when you should call a doctor.
Watch the video or read the tips below.
Ask a Doctor
Ask a doctor: Baby fever
Fevers happen to all of us. When a bug or a germ invades our body. A fever is a normal response from our body's defense system, the immune system.
But in newborn babies, especially babies under the age of one month, fevers could mean a dangerous infection. This is why it's so important, first and foremost, that anyone who is sick stays away from your newborn baby - no hugging, no kissing, come back when you feel better!
What is a fever for a baby
The most accurate way to check a temperature in a newborn baby is with a rectal thermometer. If the thermometer reads higher than 100.4 Fahrenheit or 38°C, this is generally considered a fever, and you want to talk to your doctor right away.
Fever symptoms in babies
Sometimes symptoms of a fever in young babies can be very subtle, maybe even mild. Sometimes babies seem really irritable. They're sleeping too much or too little, or they don't want to eat.
How to comfort a baby or child with fever at home
There are some ways you can comfort a baby or a child with a fever at home, including giving them lukewarm baths or using a lukewarm washcloth. Just don't make the water too cold because you don't want them to shiver.
You can also try dressing them in lighter clothing, depending on the temperature of your home or the outside environment. And as always, hydration is extremely important.
It's also an option if you talk to your doctor to give young babies or toddlers acetaminophen, paracetamol or ibuprofen to bring their fever down [Caution: Medicine should only be used if prescribed by a doctor]. But you want to make sure you avoid aspirin in all children, as it's not safe. And oftentimes other medications like herbal remedies are not tested or safe in children either.
When to speak to a doctor
And even if you're taking all the necessary steps, but your parental instinct is going off. You are like: "You know what? Something is not right about this fever." Talk to a doctor. Whether it is something serious or not, we welcome all parenting questions.
Dr. Alok Patel is a father, paediatrician at Stanford Children's hospital, producer and ABC News correspondent.
