Fever / High Temperature (Babies aged under 3 months)

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Fever in babies less than 3 months of age is much more likely to be due to a serious infection that needs urgent treatment than a fever in an older child. All children under 3 months of age with a temperature above 38°C (100.4°F) should be seen by a healthcare professional. The only time your baby doesn't need to see a doctor with their fever is if they have had their vaccines in the last 48 hours (given from 8 weeks of age) .

If your baby has had their vaccinations in the last 48 hours follow the advice given by your community nurse at their vaccination appointment.

How to take your baby’s temperature:
You should measure your baby’s temperature under their armpit. Hold their arm against their body to keep the thermometer in place for however long it says in the manufacturer's instructions – usually about 15 seconds; some digital thermometers beep when they're ready. You should not measure their temperature on the forehead or in their ear – it will not be accurate in young children.
How to take a temperature

When should I get help?


If your child has any of the following: Is pale, mottled (blotchy rash) and feels abnormally cold to touch Has blue lips lips Has a fit/ seizure Is very agitated (crying inconsolably despite distraction), confused or very difficult to wake Has a rash that does not go away when you press on it (the ‘Glass Test’) Has a hot chest, face or back and is sweaty or clammy (a temperature of 38°C / 100.4°F or higher) unless this is within two days of vaccinations and there are no other signs from this box or the AMBER box below Is getting worse or if you are worried	You need help now Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency Department or phone 999

If your child has any of the following:

Is pale, mottled (blotchy rash) and feels abnormally cold to touch
Has blue lips lips
Has a fit/ seizure
Is very agitated (crying inconsolably despite distraction), confused or very difficult to wake
Has a rash that does not go away when you press on it (the ‘Glass Test’)
Has a hot chest, face or back and is sweaty or clammy (a temperature of 38°C / 100.4°F or higher) unless this is within two days of vaccinations and there are no other signs from this box or the AMBER box below
Is getting worse or if you are worried

You need help now

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency Department or phone 999


If your child has any of the following: Is finding it hard to breathe Seems dehydrated (dry mouth, sunken eyes, no tears, drowsy or less wet nappies) Is becoming very sleepy or irritable (you are unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or by picking up) – especially if they are still drowsy or irritable after their fever has come down Has extreme shivering Has a fever higher than 39°C/102.2°F within 48 hours after vaccinations Is getting worse or if you are worried	You need to see a doctor or nurse today. Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 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, then consider taking them to your nearest ED.

If your child has any of the following:

Is finding it hard to breathe
Seems dehydrated (dry mouth, sunken eyes, no tears, drowsy or less wet nappies)
Is becoming very sleepy or irritable (you are unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or by picking up) – especially if they are still drowsy or irritable after their fever has come down
Has extreme shivering
Has a fever higher than 39°C/102.2°F within 48 hours after vaccinations
Is getting worse or if you are worried

You need to see a doctor or nurse today.

Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 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, then consider taking them to your nearest ED.


If your baby DOESN’T have any signs from the RED or AMBER boxes, the following are normal: Your baby is less than two weeks old (or three weeks old and breastfed) and looks slightly yellow, mainly on the face. (This may slowly increase over a day or two but will then start to fade). Has four to six wet nappies a day. Has green, brown, orange, yellow or black poo. (The poo of breastfed babies is usually yellow and can often look ‘seedy’ – it’s a sign your baby is healthy). Keeps feeding well with breast or formula milk. Baby wakes up often and cries to be fed.	Self care You can keep lookig after your baby at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 – dial 111

If your baby DOESN’T have any signs from the RED or AMBER boxes, the following are normal:

Your baby is less than two weeks old (or three weeks old and breastfed) and looks slightly yellow, mainly on the face. (This may slowly increase over a day or two but will then start to fade).

Has four to six wet nappies a day.
Has green, brown, orange, yellow or black poo. (The poo of breastfed babies is usually yellow and can often look ‘seedy’ – it’s a sign your baby is healthy).
Keeps feeding well with breast or formula milk.
Baby wakes up often and cries to be fed.

Self care

You can keep lookig after your baby at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 – dial 111