Ladies..what is considered as fever in babies

Hi HopeN! I actually am a Nurse and I work in the Nursery alot and for newborns, 100.4 or greater is considered a fever and you should definately get your little one checked out. Looking at the numbers above, it seems like those temps are fine, but if the directions say to add one degree, then I would go by that. However, usually on a regular thermometer that you place under the armpit (in infants, this is how we check at work, unless a problem, then we check rectal), the temp should be accurate and you don't need to add a degree. The digital ones may be more fancy.

But anything 100.4 or greater is a concern.

Good luck and hope this helps!

Oh- and one more thing....alot of moms I notice wrap their babies up in double blankets, hats, booties, thick clothing, etc...and I've had an infant's temp be like 99.4 to almost 100 degrees and was like, whoah, that's high! But then after I unwrapped the infant and let them in normal clothing, rechecked after 30minutes, it came down to 98.8 or so... lots of mom's don't realize they are keeping their infant too wrapped, causing them to be warmer than they really are. So if you ever get a temp that is high, make sure they are dressed appropriately and not all bundled up, then recheck in 30 minutes or so. That's what we do :o) And I'm sure you already know this, but just wanted to throw that out there!

Hi AKT, it must be awsome working in a nursery..I wish tat was my job!!

Its a digital one and the intsructions does not say anything to add or not add. The Dr did the rectal one last Friday and it was 97.9 F. She wears really light thin cotton clothing doesnt even coverherself but the AC is off in her room.

I did mine and hers just now. Hers was 97.9 and mine was 96.9. I dont know what to take and obvly cant sleep

I read the reviews for this and they all say its awful :( now im so confused if it gave an acccurate reading or if it coiuld be higher. This is wat I use

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2792507

Hi dear keep us posted on what is going on with the lil mini you. Very helpful to have AKT on this site!!!! Just a thought what about giving her a cool bath...would that help AKT?

WELL I KNOW THAT IF A BABY/CHILD DOES HAVE A FEVER U DONT WANT TO GIVE THEM A "COOL" BATH B/C U DONT WANT THEIR TEMP TO DROP TOO FAST. THE DOC TOLD ME U BASICALLY DONT WANT IT SO COOL THAT THE BABY/CHILD STARTS TO SHIVER

Hi HopeN , how is Ella doing today? We always used a digital thermometer and my doctor said under the arm or rectal temps were accurate- but if under the arm then add a degree.. 97.9 is not high at all, and as I read back in my baby notes ours also says a temp of 100.4 is when to call the peditrician.. I hope she is feeling better :)

Thanks a bunch ladies. I was worried coz shes been so cranky the last 2 days needs to be held 24/7. So, last night at 2 AM it was 98.4 underarm, so the act temp is 99.4 so, I guess Id wait and watch and also turn the AC on today in her room.

Hey ladies, about the cool bath thing, here at work we just recommend warm water, like how you would like it if you were in a bath, but definatley not cool water, as like Chrissy said they would shiver. Immediately after the bath you want to keep them covered and dress them as soon as possible so they don't loose alot of body heat.

As for the underarm temp and adding a degree, I guess if your doctor says to do that, then do so. But I will say that we do mostly underarm temps here at the nursery at the hospital and we don't add a degree. Just make sure you hold the baby's arm firmly when the temp probe is under the arm as baby's definately wiggle alot when they get thier temp taken, which is normal.

I hope this helps! However if you do start to get a consistently high temp (even after unwrapping and rechecking) then I would let your Pediatrician know. Also, don't check the infant's temp after a bath. All babies drop their temp after a bath, so that wouldn't be accurate. Check the temp about 30minutes to an hour after, once the baby is dryed and dressed :o)

Love you ladies!! And good luck :)