what is a high temp in a baby?

I took DS temperature (under the arm) and it was 38.2. I've given him some nurofen and he's having a BF right now. Earlier this evening his temp was up but the nurofen brought it down - its been 8 hours since his last dose. His urine smells quite strong and he was off his food this afternoon. He is teething, his top two teeth are coming through. I just don't know if he's picked up something in childcare.

What is a high temp in a baby?

Last te we took DD to GP casualty with a fever they said anything over 39 should be checked out by a medical professional.

I think it's actually best to go on how they seem though, if they seem sick I.e. listless etc or if the temp doesn't come down with nurofen/panadol I think they need medical attention.

Oops, meant to say good luck too and tapatalk isn't letting me edit!

my DD had temps of between 38.5 and 39.5 during the week so we got her checked out. the GP said the number isn't so much an indicator, it's the child themselves. yes, it can help to know whether you should be administering medication to help keep the temp under control, but if they are hot , it's generally a sign they are fighting the bug, so as long as they are keeping up fluids (BF is a great thing from both a comfort and fluids perspective) and not getting TOO hot (he was talking 40+ as too hot), then go with it. if they are hot, cranky and irritable, it gels as just fighting a bug. if they are hot or clammy, complaining of being cold/shivering it may need to be checked out as more serious.

if you are at all concerned though, get some advice. that's what i did. DD wasn't herself, she appeared to be in pain, clingy, she'd been shivering when she woke but was hot to touch. the GP said both her throat and ears were pink to red, and probably sore, but she seemed in ok spirits. took three nights of fevers but she has come good so looks like controlling the fever and letting her fight the bug has worked

Bella was crook a few weeks back and the nurse on call told me that if she reached a temp of over 41 then to seek medical attention - he said anything under that is the body fighting off the bug or infection.

He also told me not to put her in a luke warm bath as they do not recomend that anymore. He said to just try and get her to drink - not to worry about foods and just strip her down and use a washer on her head.

HTH

With young children i tend to go on the side of caution anything above 38.5 that isn't comming down with panadol, or a cool bath then I would be getting them checked by my Gp when I could. Tempreture hitting 39.5/40's I would be seeking medical professional Asap...

But as all the girls have said also taking in to what the child is doing, look like etcetc

RCH say 42 but I don't know many people who will let their kids get close to 40 without worrying and understandably so. I agree with a PP that it is more likely what the child is like with the fever, if they are floppy and unresponsive at 38 then I would be going to the GP but they might be over 39 and happy as larry (mine had this a few weeks ago) and were actually fighting a virus but happy in themselves. I would watch and wait and see how they are responding. Iz hit 40.6 had soem panadol and one hour later was still at 40.3 and pretty lethargic so we went to the clinic. Virus and nothing they could do but once we were there she all of a sudden perked up again, kids are so resilient. :hug: Hope he gets better soon. xoxox

I would send home a kid from childcare if it got past 38. But, as PPs have said, that's a sign that kid is fighting an infection, so for me, it's about getting that infection out of the centre. I'd say if you can't get it down over 24 hours, or if it gets past 39, I'd see someone.

I consider anything over 38 to be a decent temp, but I don't worry too much until it gets closer to 39.5.

As many PPs have said, it's more about the child themselves & how they seem, our worst scare was with Bubble who had a temp over 39 all day & was sleepy, unresponsive, wouldn't wake properly. Took him to the ER, they gave him nurofen & half an hour later he was sitting up on the bed singing songs :rolleyes: the nurse actually called another nurse to 'come & look at this child now!'

If you're worried, it can't hurt to get it checked. :hug: hope he's feeling better soon.

Thank-you everyone for your replies :) I took bubs to the clinic and got him checked out. The doc said that his throat was a little bit red but his ears were nice and clear. He also said that he could see four more teeth about to erupt! He said to keep up the fluids and don't worry if he won't take "food" - thank goodness he's still Bfed, a great comforter for him and a food/fluid source! Ah thank-you mother nature :)

The doc also said to give him nurofen to bring down his temp and to rub some bonjella on his gums.