🩺 Health · From birth to 3 years
🌡️ Baby fever: when to worry and what to do
A temperature of 38°C or higher is a fever. A baby under three months with this temperature needs urgent medical assessment, even if they otherwise seem well. At any age, look at breathing, alertness, feeding and hydration as well as the number.
The fever toolkit
- A digital thermometer suitable for your child's age; ask your clinic to demonstrate underarm measurement.
- Your child's health record and clinic contact details; save 112 for emergencies in Nigeria. Emergency routing coverage and response times vary, so keep hospital contacts and a backup transport plan.
- If advised, age-appropriate medicine with its measuring syringe and a written dose log.
What to do
1. Measure and record
Follow the thermometer instructions and note the reading, method and time. Ear or forehead readings can be unreliable in young babies; do not let a reassuring reading delay care if baby looks unwell.
2. Under three months: get urgent assessment
For 38°C or higher, go promptly to a hospital emergency department or a clinician able to assess baby immediately. Do not wait overnight or for fever medicine to work.
3. Check emergency signs at any age
Call 112 for breathing difficulty, blue colour, floppiness, unresponsiveness or a seizure. A rash that does not fade with pressure, especially with fever or an unwell child, needs emergency assessment. If emergency help cannot be reached promptly, contact the nearest hospital and use your backup transport plan without delaying care.
4. Seek advice for other concerns
Poor feeding, fewer wet nappies, repeated vomiting, unusual persistent crying or worsening illness need prompt clinical advice. For older babies, contact your local primary healthcare centre or your child's clinician if fever persists or you are worried.
5. Use medicine for discomfort, with advice
Ask a clinician or pharmacist in Nigeria about suitability, dose and frequency using the child's weight, age and the exact product concentration. Do not combine products containing paracetamol or alternate medicines without advice. Do not give aspirin; check before using ibuprofen.
6. Keep baby comfortable
Use comfortable light clothing without over-wrapping or chilling. Offer breast milk or usual-strength formula frequently; offer age-appropriate fluids to older children. Never dilute formula. Keep a shared record of feeds, wet nappies and medicines.
Classic mistakes
- ❌ Trying to force the temperature down Do not use ice, cold baths, alcohol rubs or sponging to treat fever. Focus on comfort and getting appropriate assessment.
- ❌ Sweating the fever out Extra blankets trap heat. Keep clothing comfortable, and place baby on their back in a separate, flat, firm sleep space with no blankets, pillows or toys.
- ❌ Assuming medicine proves baby is fine A lower temperature after medicine does not rule out serious illness. Continue watching breathing, responsiveness and hydration.
A local detail, or your own experience with this guide? Write to the team
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When in doubt, contact your doctor or midwife. For a life-threatening emergency, call 112.