It can feel like a lifetime goes by while you’re waiting for that thermometer to beep. What can you do to make your little one feel better? Luckily, infant fever symptoms can usually be managed in the comfort of your home with a handful of ways to help lower your baby’s high temperature.
When is a fever too high for a baby?
Regularly measuring your child’s temperature is important to monitor their progress. Call the doctor if:
Your infant is younger than 3 months old with a fever above 100.4° F.
Your child's fever repeatedly rises to above 104° F.
Your child has high fever symptoms such as severe headache, severe sore throat, severe ear pain, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, an unexplained rash or a stiff neck.
Your child is younger than 2 years old, and the fever lasts more than 24 hours.
Your child is more than 2 years old, and the fever lasts more than 72 hours.
Other symptoms alongside fever can be cause for concern. Learn more about other fever warning signs here.
How to reduce your baby’s fever
Reducing your child’s fever can take time. If your little one is experiencing symptoms, try these home remedies to help bring down your baby’s temperature:
Give them a lukewarm sponge bath (but be sure to stop if your child starts to shiver).
Ensure they’re drinking lots of liquids so that they stay hydrated.
Dress them in lightweight clothing and lower room temperatures.
Allow them to rest – in most cases, you shouldn't wake a sleeping child to give them fever medicine.
Patience - typically, your child’s fever will go away on its own in 2 or 3 days.
When to give your baby medicine to treat fever symptoms
If your little one has a fever and is uncomfortable, you can consider using fever reducers such as acetaminophen (found in Infants' & Children's TYLENOL® products) or ibuprofen (found in Infants' and MOTRIN® products).
If your child is under 2 years of age, be sure to ask your doctor before giving your child Infants' TYLENOL®.
