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My baby has a fever or high temperature

If a baby is less than 3 months old and has a fever, it’s more likely to be from a serious infection than if an older child had a fever. So, if your baby under 3 months has a temperature higher than 38°C (100.4°F), you should take them to see a healthcare professional straight away. The only time you don't need to do this is if they get a fever within 48 hours after their vaccinations. In that case, you can give them paracetamol if they seem fine otherwise, without needing to see a doctor.

How to take your baby’s temperature:

To check your baby’s temperature, place the thermometer under their armpit. Hold their arm close to their body to keep the thermometer in place for as long as the instructions say—usually about 15 seconds. Some digital thermometers will beep when they’re done. Don’t check their temperature on the forehead or in the ear, as it won’t be accurate for young children.

 

How to take a temperature

Click here to watch this video in Bengali

Click here to watch this video in Gujrati

Click here to watch this video in Polish

Click here to watch this video in Punjabi

Click here to watch this video in Urdu

When should you worry?

If your child has any of the following:

  • Temperature more than 38°C or under 36°C (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red features)

  • Breathing very fast, too breathless to feed

  • Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs, or noisy breathing (grunting)

  • Breathing that stops or pauses

  • Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch

  • Difficult to wake up or very sleepy

  • Weak, high-pitched cry or can’t be settled

  • Has a fit (seizure)

  • Has a rash that does not go away with pressure (the ‘Glass Test’

     

You need urgent help

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999

If your child has any of the following:

  • Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe

  • Dry skin, lips or tongue

  • Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours

  • Poor feeding (less than half of their usual amount)

  • Irritable (Unable to settle them with cuddles, toys or feeding)

  • Getting worse and I am still worried

You need to contact a doctor or nurse today

Please call your GP surgery or contact NHS 111 - call 111.

If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.

If none of the above features are present 

  • Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms

  • If your child has any other symptoms associated with their fever, you may want to look at the information on sore throat, cough, earache, diarrhoea and vomiting or tummy ache or our other pathways.

  • Additional advice is also available to young families for coping with crying of well babies – click here.

  • If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.

Self care

Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your baby, speak to your health visitor or local pharmacist

What should you do?

You can give paracetamol to children who are two months old or older for pain or fever (but only give ibuprofen if they are over three months old). However, if a baby under 3 months has a fever, it could mean they have a serious infection, so they should see a health care professional right away. The only time you don’t need to do this is if they get a fever within 48 hours after their vaccinations. In that case, it’s OK to give them paracetamol if they seem fine otherwise.

If your baby gets a rash, do the glass test to check it.

A visual depiction of the glass test, a glass pressed on a rash

Where should you seek help?

For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between

Self-care

You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.

Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.

Sound advice

Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.

Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.

Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.

Sound advice

Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:

  • Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
  • Exercise, hygiene and safety
  • Your child’s growth and development
  • Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
  • Safety in the home
  • Stopping smoking
  • Contraception and sexual health
  • Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
  • Toilet training
  • Minor illnesses

For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?

Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.

Sound advice

  • Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP
  • Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately
  • Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.

Sound advice

You have a choice of service:

  • Doctors or GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to A&E
  • Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about visiting the GP or going to a walk in centre

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, you can call 111 or use 111 online.

Please note that 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.

An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.

Sound advice

Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.

Sound advice

  • Many visits to A&E and calls to 999 could be resolved by any other NHS services
  • If your child's condition is not critical, choose another service to get them the best possible treatment
  • Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about going to A&E or riding in an ambulance
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