Baby body temperature may indicate fever in infants. Baby fever occurs when the body temperature rises above the normal range which is about 37°C or 98.6°F. However, when the temperature is taken from the armpit, mothers may expect a little lower baby body temperature. There are different methods of taking baby body temperature such as electronic thermometer placed on the armpit, fever strips on the forehead or infrared ear thermometers. Baby fever may be expected from time to time as the baby grows though it does not necessarily mean that the baby has a serious illness. However, if there are other signs or symptoms that can be observed, the baby may be brought to the doctor for proper diagnosis.
A higher baby body temperature may indicate some viral or bacterial infection. The fever stimulates the body to fight the infection and it also creates an environment that will weaken the microorganisms that have invaded the body. There are times when a baby does not have any infection but may have a higher baby body temperature than normal. Parents especially mothers have to know that babies have not yet fully developed their systems including those that are used to control baby body temperature. Thus, when mothers over wrap their babies or when the temperature in the house is very warm, their body temperature rises.
Mothers may also observe other symptoms aside from the baby body temperature that indicate baby fever. The baby may appear flushed and may not have the appetite to suck milk or eat food. The baby may also cry incessantly. If there are other signs such as vomiting or diarrhoea as well as difficulty in breathing, mothers will have to bring their babies to the hospital or call for emergency help. The baby may also need medical attention if the baby body temperature or fever does not go down within 24 hours or if it shoots up to 39°C or 103°F.
When a mother feels that the baby body temperature is higher than normal, she may give some safe medication to the baby. She has to give the baby lots of fluid intake to prevent dehydration from occurring. The mother should also be very observant as there are a few cases when a baby fever may cause febrile convulsion or seizure. When this happens, it is necessary to bring the baby to a doctor to determine possible causes of the seizure. The best thing that a mother can do at this time is not to panic and to call for immediate help.
