When Your Infant Has a Fever

Your baby is cranky, doesn't want to eat, and feels unusually warm to the touch. You suspect your infant has a fever. What should you do?

Check your baby's temperature to determine if there is a fever. A rectal temperature reading, which is most frequently used for infants, is the most accurate since it is taken close to body's core. Normal rectal temperature is 99.6° F. According to MedlinePlus, what constitutes a fever for an infant is a rectal temperature of 100.4° F or higher, or a temperature of 99.5° F or above taken orally.

Here's the method I found worked best when my children were infants: Lubricate the bulb end of clean and sterilized thermometer with petroleum jelly. Place the infant on her stomach in your lap or on the bed. Distract the baby by placing a toy in her vision, singing a favorite song, or talking soothingly to her. Spread the buttocks with one hand until the rectal opening is exposed. With your free hand, gently insert the thermometer about an inch into the rectum. Hold it between your middle and index fingers and use the rest of your hand to press the buttocks together to keep the thermometer in place. Keep it there for approximately 2 minutes to get an accurate reading.

Tip: If possible, try to keep the infant calm for about 20 minutes prior to taking his or her temperature, because fussing and crying may slightly elevate the results.

What should you do if your baby does have a fever?

Seek medical attention right away if:
-Your infant is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4° F or more.
-The fever for a baby 3 to 12 months old is 102.2° F or higher.
-The baby is having convulsions (arms and legs flail, body stiffens, and eyes roll back).
-The infant acts like she's in severe pain, cries inconsolably, or is unresponsive or limp.
-There are purple spots anywhere on the baby's skin.
-The infant is having trouble breathing.
-The baby has a fever after being exposed to extreme heat, such as being in the sun for a long time or sitting in a hot vehicle.
-The infant has recently received immunizations.

How to treat your infant's fever at home:

Keep your infant cool. Try to maintain the room temperature at about 68° to 70° F. Dress the child in light clothing or just a diaper if the weather is hot. This will allow the body heat to escape.

Give the baby a lukewarm bath or sponge bath. A lukewarm bath - never give a cold one - may help cool and soothe the baby. Do not use ice or alcohol rubs. Those methods may cool the infant's skin but can make the fever worse by causing shivering, which actually raises the core body temperature.

Keep the infant hydrated. Fever increases the amount of water lost through the skin, so your baby needs to have more liquids to avoid dehydration. Encourage your baby to drink by offering more frequent feedings of breast milk or formula. If the infant refuses to drink for several hours, contact your doctor.

You may choose to use medicine to lower your baby's temperature. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are both helpful in reducing a fever. Be sure you know how much your baby weighs so you know how much medication to give him, and read and follow the instructions on the package carefully. If your baby is under 6 months, do not use the ibuprofen. Also, do not give your infant aspirin. Contact your pediatrician before giving medicine to your infant if he's under 3 months old.

Don't panic. Most fevers are not cause for concern unless coupled with the symptoms listed above. A fever is your baby's immune system working to fight off disease or infection and is a natural reaction.

More by this author:
Six Ways to Boost Your Child's Immunity
Establishing a Bedtime Routine for a Baby

Resources:
"Fever," MedlinePlus.
"A Child's Temperature Is 103.6: What to Do?" LiveStrong.com.
"Fever," Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Greg Germain, MD, "Your Child Has a Fever, Now What?" Babyzone.