Ritu Patel Ritu Patel Asked 9 months ago

How can you tell if a newborn has a fever?

My baby is just 2 months old, and I'm always worried about her health, especially with all the cough and cold around. Sometimes she feels a bit warm, but I'm not sure if it's a fever or just normal. What are the reliable ways to tell if a newborn actually has a fever, apart from just touching their forehead?

10

10 answers

Rohan Mehra Rohan Mehra Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago
Most liked

Don't just rely on touching the baby's forehead with your hand, as their skin temperature can fluctuate easily. Use a digital thermometer under the armpit or a rectal one for an accurate reading. Any temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit in a newborn requires immediate pediatric consultation.

Saraswathi Iyer Saraswathi Iyer Joined Feb 2026 9 months ago

You can check by touching the baby's chest or back, which are better indicators than cold hands or feet. Keeping them in cotton clothes can help, but for newborns, a fever is a serious matter. Please take them to a doctor immediately to ensure their safety.

Vikram Solanki Vikram Solanki Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

Please don't trust random WhatsApp forwards or home remedies like cold water sponges for a newborn's fever, as it can cause sudden temperature drops. Use a thermometer to verify, and if the reading is high, call your pediatrician immediately. Let the professionals handle it.

Gurbachan Singh Gurbachan Singh Joined Mar 2026 8 months ago

In our time, we used to get anxious seeing a little baby warm, but our family doctors always taught us that newborns need very careful attention. If they are refusing milk and feel hot, a thermometer reading will tell you the truth. Take them to the clinic without delay.

Powered by

Consult a internal medicine specialist

Aditi Deshpande Aditi Deshpande Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

Actually, newborns are super delicate, yaar. If they feel hot or are crying continuously, just use a digital thermometer to get the exact reading. Don't try home remedies or wait for the morning, just call your pediatrician immediately.

Karan Malhotra Karan Malhotra Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

With newborns, you cannot take any chances or wait. If you notice they are unusually hot to touch, extremely lethargic, or refusing to breastfeed, check their temperature with a thermometer. If it is high, skip the internet advice and go straight to the hospital.

Nikhil Kamath Nikhil Kamath Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

When my son was a newborn, we kept a digital thermometer in his baby kit at all times. If the device shows 100.4 F or higher, don't wait or monitor, just go directly to the emergency room or call your doctor. It's always better to be safe.

Related reads

All articles
Manju Sharma Manju Sharma Joined May 2026 5 months ago

A fever in a newborn is often accompanied by rapid breathing, constant crying, or sudden loss of interest in feeding. Keep a reliable digital thermometer at home and measure the temperature properly. Please don't give any baby crocin or paracetamol without asking your doctor first.

Sneha Roy Sneha Roy Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

Always use a digital thermometer to check a baby's temperature. If it is 100.4 F or more, please see a pediatrician immediately.

Harmeet Singh Harmeet Singh Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

Haan, touching the back of the neck or tummy is a good way to feel if they are unusually warm, na. But to be 100 percent sure, always keep a digital thermometer handy. If the baby is less than 3 months old and has a fever, see the doctor right away.

Evidence-based health, reviewed by clinicians. Free, weekly.