Fever

Fevers and Illness

Children are expected to get at least 6 febrile illnesses a year for the first 2-4 years of life. That’s a lot! In reality, babies in daycare often have at least 1 illness per month. Babies who are home with a sitter or family member tend to have fewer illnesses, but spending time with other children in school or daycare will still expose them to some germs.

  • A fever is a temperature over 100.4. Fever feels scary to parents, partly because doctors put so much emphasis on it. Let’s break a fever down by age to decide what’s most important. 

    Fever in a newborn - a baby younger than 4 weeks - truly is scary. Babies don’t show illness the way older babies and children will show it: instead of getting hot with a fever, they might get cold or change their temperature really quickly. If a newborn is sick enough to have a temperature of 100.4 or higher, they should be seen by a doctor immediately.

  • Under 2 Months: see a doctor immediately

    2-4 Months: see a doctor within 24 hours

    4-6 Months: offer water and rest, use Tylenol to help them feel better

  • Tylenol is a brand name for Acetaminophen; this should be given every 5-6 hours

    Motrin and Advil are brand names for Ibuprofen; this should be given every 6-8 hours

    Alternating medicine means you switch between the two meds so your child gets a medicine every 3-4 hours.