How to Reduce Body Temperature of a Baby

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Normal body temperature of a baby would be around 36-37℃ (96.8 - 98.6℉). If your baby has a higher temperature than this, you should try to cool your baby. If the high temperature persists, seek professional medical advice.


Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

When to see the doctor

PDF download Download Article
  1. [1]
    • If the baby has a temperature of 37-37.5℃ (98.6 - 99.5℉), then it isn't regarded as fever. Remove some layers of clothing and, if appropriate, bedding. This can cool your baby down, particularly in warm weather. If the temperature comes down just from altering baby's clothing or bedding, there's no need to do anything further. If the baby is still hot, strip them down to their singlet, vest or a short-sleeved baby grow with no leggings section and a nappy or diaper. Cover him or her with a light, preferably cotton, sheet.
    • If the temperature is 37.5-38℃ (99.5 - 100.4℉), then he or she isn't experiencing a fever either. A bath or shower with lukewarm (not cool) water can lower body temperature. Keep bedding and clothing light.
    • When the temperature is about 38-38.5℃ (100.4 - 101.3℉) then the baby is having a fever. Baby will need some medical attention in this case. Usually prescribed medicine can work. Go to doctor for a check up.
    • If the temperature is about 38.5-39℃ (101.3 - 102.2℉) then they will definitely need medication (such as infant paracetamol) to reduce their temperature. You can strip your baby down, and possibly give them a tepid bath for some improvement however medical attention is needed.
    • If your baby has 39-40℃ (102.2 - 104℉) then it needs immediate medical attention. The baby may be in danger of experiencing a 'fit' or a 'febrile convulsion'. Contact a doctor immediately! Infant febrile convulsions can be terrifying for a parent to witness. Try not to panic and remember that the fit is due to your baby being too warm and not any other more worrying illnesses or conditions.
  2. This is especially critical if they have trouble breathing, become drowsy, refuse to drink, or are not peeing as often as usual. Other signs that you should seek urgent medical attention include baby appearing to have a stiff neck or a head ache, being sensitive to light or persistent vomiting. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. Again, this is especially critical if the baby's temperature reaches above 40°C (104℉). [3]
  4. [4]
    • In children under 12 months, fever might be a sign of a more significant illness, and you should definitely seek medical advice.
    • Babies under three months of age who develop a fever must be seen by a doctor immediately, because it’s harder to tell if they have a serious underlying illness.
    5. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Reducing the temperature

PDF download Download Article
  1. As usual make them wear light clothes. [5]
  2. You can give them water. Don't allow a child to become dehydrated, offer fluid time to time. Water is best. [6]
  3. Give liquid paracetamol in the correct and recommended dose. Giving more doses can damage a child's liver. [7]
  4. Turn on the fan give them a cool bath.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Trusts your instincts. Call an ambulance if you are really worried. Professional paramedics will tell you that a call out to a child is never a waste of time. It is better to be safe than sorry. Only call an ambulance if you are sure your child is too sick to be driven to your usual GP.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • Don't risk your baby's life, early intervention can improve the success in treating a number of illnesses.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Don't give your child aspirin for any reason. Aspirin can make your child susceptible to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal illness. It can also cause serious illness or even death in children with chickenpox or flu symptoms. [8]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Reduce a Fever
      How to
      Reduce a Fever Without Medication
      9 Ways to Tell if Someone Has a Fever Without a Thermometer
      How to
      Take a Temperature with a Thermometer
      How to
      Treat Neck Rashes for Your Baby
      How to
      Stop Hiccups in Babies and Newborns
      How to
      Assess the Safe Firmness of an Infant Mattress to Prevent Asphyxiation
      How to
      Clean a Circumcision
      How to
      Treat Ringworm in Babies
      How to
      Treat Acid Reflux in Newborns
      How to
      Lift and Carry a Baby
      How to
      Help Relieve Gas in Babies
      How to
      Perform the Heimlich Maneuver on a Baby
      How to
      Clear a Baby's Stuffy Nose
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about parenting, check out our in-depth interview with Joel Warsh, MD .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/fever/fever-children
      2. ↑ http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/fever_a.html
      3. ↑ https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/documents/fever.pdf
      4. ↑ http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/fever_a.html
      5. ↑ https://www.redcross.org.uk/first-aid/learn-first-aid-for-babies-and-children/fever
      6. ↑ https://www.redcross.org.uk/first-aid/learn-first-aid-for-babies-and-children/fever
      7. ↑ https://www.redcross.org.uk/first-aid/learn-first-aid-for-babies-and-children/fever
      8. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/reyes-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20377255

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If your baby’s body temperature is above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, you should take steps to cool them down. Try removing your baby’s bedding and clothing and covering them with a light sheet instead. You should also give them extra fluids to help them stay hydrated. If they’re still too warm, turn on a fan or give them a lukewarm bath. If your baby’s temperature is over 100.4 or it doesn’t drop below 98.6 within 48 hours, take them to a doctor, since they probably have a fever. Your doctor will prescribe medication, like liquid paracetamol, to help bring your baby’s temperature down. For more tips, including how to identify other signs of fever or illness in your baby, read on.

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 70,854 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement