How to take her temperature, which numbers mean an emergency at each age, how to care for her at home, and the signs that need help now.
In short
- A high temperature is 38C or more.
- Under 3 months, 38C or more is an emergency.
- Use a digital thermometer under her armpit.
How to take her temperature
A normal temperature for a baby is about 36.4C. A high temperature is 38C or more. She may feel hotter than usual on her back or chest. She may feel sweaty or have flushed cheeks.
Use a digital thermometer. For babies, always use it under the armpit.
- Hold her on your knee.
- Put the thermometer in her armpit.
- Hold her arm gently against her side.
- Wait as long as the instructions say, usually about 15 seconds.
- Read the number on the screen.
A bath, a warm room or tight wrapping can raise the reading for a short time. Let her cool down for a few minutes, then check again. Strip thermometers on the forehead are not accurate.
What the number means
If she is under 3 months and her temperature is 38C or more, call your emergency number now.
If she is 3 to 6 months and her temperature is 39C or more, call your emergency number now. If she had a vaccine in the last 2 days, call your doctor now instead.
If she is 3 months or older and her temperature is 38C or more, call your doctor today.
A temperature below 36C is also an emergency. Check it 2 more times within 10 minutes to be sure.
Some babies get a high temperature after their vaccinations. It should go away quite quickly.
Caring for her at home
- Give her plenty of feeds. If you breastfeed, keep going as normal.
- Look out for signs of dehydration, like fewer wet nappies. If she shows signs of dehydration, call your doctor today.
- Check on her often, including during the night.
- Do not undress her or sponge her with water to cool her.
- Do not wrap her in too many clothes or blankets.
- Never give her aspirin.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before giving any medicine.
A high temperature can sometimes cause a fit. She may go stiff, twitch or shake, and not respond to you. Call your emergency number now. Note the time it starts. Move hard or sharp things away and protect her head. Do not hold her down. Do not put anything in her mouth.
Other signs she may be seriously ill
- Light bothers her: call your emergency number now
- Her hands and feet are unusually cold: call your emergency number now
- She is not feeding at all: call your emergency number now
- She has had no wet nappy for 12 hours: call your emergency number now
- Her cry is weak, high-pitched, continuous or not like her normal cry: call your emergency number now
