Does my 2mnth old baby have a fever?

Question

My 2 month old baby felt warm so I took her temp. Her temp was taken under the arm and it was 100.3.????

Answer 1

101.3 is a low grade fever in a newborn. She's at a transitional time. From birth to 3 months they dont regulate their temperatures well, so anything over 100 is considered a fever. From 3 months through the toddler years its not a fever until you reach 102.

You have to add a degree for under the arm, thats why you get 101.3 instead of 100.3.

I would take a layer of clothes off her, make sure she's alert and responsive, and check it again in 10 minutes. If its still high call your doctor.

Answer 2

Axillary temperatures are basically useless. They can vary up or down several degrees (not just tenths). I won't allow them in my ER for anybody whose temperature I want to know, and I think you'll find that's true of all doctors. That "add a degree" stuff is just garbage.
Moreover, depending on the exact age of your child and whether she has any worrisome predispositions like premature birth, a fever could be really important still at this age. Take a rectal temperature, and if it's 100.4 or more, treat it as urgent, requiring an exam and a few tests today, even if that takes a trip to the ER. Chances are she's just a bit flushed and her core temperature will be normal, but kids under three months' age need special precautions.

Answer 3

With what kind of thermometer? If old-fashioned kind, we don't know if it's accurate reading under arm. Although close, 100 is within tollerence for a baby. In other words, we still don't know answer. Rectal temp is accurate if s/he can hold still for 3 minutes but be very careful, the thermometer is longer than the space inside,.

There are new thermometers at drug store one just brushes across forehead, don't think they are expensive.

Is baby acting normally otherwise? 100 is not at all dangerous, 102 isn't terrible but if higher you need to keep baby cool (water) and get expert help, not to mention finding cause.

Answer 4

Newborn temperatures need to be taken rectally. This is because a tenth of a degree could mean the difference between waiting and seeing with Tylenol or a trip to the Emergency Room. Technically 100.4 and above is considered a fever. I can't remember what temp. needs immediate assessment in a newborn (mommy brain!), but I'd retake it rectally and call your pedi. to see what s/he says.

Answer 5

YES! If that was under the arm then I would suggest taking him to the doctors. That high of a temputure for a baby a 2 months old can be dangerous. CALL THE DOCTOR!!!

Answer 6

My Doc always said to call when there temp reached 100.4 rectally. Underarm is not very accurate for Baby's

Answer 7

that's not high for a baby. just make sure she is not lethargic or acting strange. it could be she is starting to teeth. although you may not see any teeth for a while she could be having what i call symptoms. i would be too concerned until her temp is above 103.

i took my baby to the emergency room for a fever of 104 and they told me i shouldn't be concerned until it reaches 105. of course any mother is not going to let her baby suffer and i told them they were ridiculous for telling me that.

Answer 8

yes because you add a degree