Baby’s temperature: when to worry?

From what temperature does the baby have a fever?

A normal body temperature is between 36.6 and 38 ° C. It is generally lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon. We speak of fever if the body temperature exceeds 38 ° C when it is taken in a child normally covered and not having done an intense activity before the temperature measurement.
Fever is a common symptom in children. It is a sign that the body is defending itself against an infection, a teething, an inflammation or a recent vaccination. It can occur in many common diseases in children such as nasopharyngitis, chickenpox, angina, otitis … More rarely, fever can start in the event of a serious or progressive disease (pneumonia, meningitis), but in this case it is most often accompanied by other symptoms. Flare-ups usually last less than 3 days and are mild.

Baby has a fever: what to do?

“It is only from 38.5 ° C that it may be useful to undertake a treatment ”, indicates the High Authority of Health (HAS) in a report published in 2016. In the event of moderate fever, if your child supports it well, smiles, eats and drinks, it is not in danger. No need to treat fever, monitor its temperature regularly.
On the other hand, fever must be treated in certain cases:

• if it lasts more than two days;
• if it exceeds 38.5 ° C;
• if the child is less than 3 months old;
• if the child does not seem to be able to cope with the fever: irritability, loss of appetite, lack of tone, headache;
• if the child has a health problem that requires regular body temperature measurements.

Paracetamol is the most common antipyretic drug prescribed to treat fever in children. The dose to be given depends on the baby’s weight. You have to wait 6 hours between taking paracetamol. This time can be shortened in case of high fever. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If the fever persists, make sure the baby does not become dehydrated, especially if he is less than 3 months old. Dehydration is a medical emergency in toddlers.

How to relieve baby?

Simple actions can stabilize a child’s temperature, help them feel better and stay well hydrated. First thing to do: place baby in a cool and ventilated room with an ambient temperature between 18 and 20 ° C. Avoid overheated rooms. Make sure it is not overly covered. Do not undress him completely so that he does not get cold, but remove layers of clothing so that body heat can evaporate. For example, if he’s in pajamas, put him in a bodysuit. Also, do not hesitate to often offer him water or a drink that he likes to prevent him from becoming dehydrated because of the fever. However, a lukewarm bath should be avoided because water that is less hot than his body temperature may make him shiver and aggravate his discomfort.

How to take baby’s temperature?

If you suspect your baby has a fever or is not in his usual condition, take his temperature, preferably between meals and after 20 minutes of rest.
Before taking his temperature, clean the thermometer with soap and water and then rinse it.
The rectal route is the most precise for a baby and it does not require an increase in temperature unlike the others.
The auricular pathway (in the ear) is also precise but the temperature measurement is more delicate in children because they can move, the ear canal is narrow and the measurement can be biased by a plug of earwax. This method is not recommended before 2 years.
The oral route is suitable for children over 5 years old. Note that the temperature must be increased by 0.5 ° C with this method.
The axillary approach (under the armpit) is useful to check if the child has a fever. But it is better to confirm the measurement with a rectal plug. With this method, the temperature must be increased by 0.6 ° C.

Easy and practical, the forehead thermometer is however not recommended for children because the measurements obtained are less reliable than those taken by rectal, oral, axillary and auricular routes. To obtain a reliable result, it is better to follow the precautions for use to the letter. In addition, the risk of a false result is significant because the forehead is not an area that reflects body temperature well and the measurement may be hampered by external or physiological factors like sweat, hair, flow of blood. air or vasoconstriction.

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From what temperature should you worry?

If the baby has a high fever, i.e. over 40 ° C, see a doctor urgently. Other situations should prompt to consult a doctor quickly in case of fever:

• baby is less than 3 months old.
• his general condition is deteriorating: he refuses to eat and drink, he is drowsy, his skin is mottled and his cries are weak.
• his neck is stiff.
• baby is throwing up.
• baby is dehydrated (less frequent urination, dry mouth and tongue).
• baby has diarrhea.
• his breathing is difficult.
• baby is suffering from chronic illness.
• baby often has a fever.
• her fever has lasted for more than two days.
• his fever does not go down despite the prescribed treatment.
• his fever is accompanied by other disturbing symptoms.
• baby has febrile convulsions (spectacular, usually not serious).
• her fever reappears after having disappeared for more than 24 hours.

Annabelle iglesias

Every day, aufeminin’s editorial staff addresses millions of women and supports them in all stages of their lives. The aufeminin editorial staff is made up of committed editors and …