Wondertime: Child Stages: Body Temperature, Fever and Illness - and More Joys of Parenting Young Children

Body Temperature, Fever, and Illness

Newborn to 1 month
Young infants do not control their body temperatures as well as adults do. Their hands and feet can quickly become mottled or even bluish when they are cold, and they may feel excessively warm after only a short time if bundled too snugly or after being out in warm weather. Quite often, simply unbundling or warming them up will bring an otherwise healthy baby's body temperature back to normal.

When fever is a concern in a newborn, it is important to take the temperature with a thermometer — preferably a rectal one — and discuss the situation with a doctor.

3 to 6 months
By this stage, the infection-fighting antibodies with which babies are born begin to diminish. At the same time, a baby's own immune system starts to produce its own antibodies but is not yet working at full capacity. Combine this with the fact that many babies have older siblings or are exposed to other children in day care, and it makes sense that many babies are more likely to catch colds at this age.

Attempting to keep your baby's hands and toys clean and out of direct contact with others who are sick may be a losing battle, but it may be worth making some degree of effort whenever possible.

Babies who are breastfed still get the benefit of their mother's antibodies through the breast milk and may get fewer colds or milder symptoms than they would otherwise.

While many doctors are less concerned about fever in babies after they reach 3 or 4 months of age, it is still important for parents to take the baby's temperature with a rectal thermometer and discuss any fevers with a health care professional.

6 to 9 months
By this stage, your baby's immune system is becoming more skilled at producing its own infection-fighting antibodies. But because of most infants' increased interactions with other children and adults at this age, they are nonetheless likely to be exposed to and catch their share of colds.

Attempting to keep your baby's hands and toys clean and out of direct contact with others who are sick may be a losing battle, but it may be worth making some degree of effort when possible.

Like 3- to 6-month-olds, babies who are breastfed at this age still get the benefit of their mothers' antibodies through the breast milk and may get fewer colds or milder symptoms than they would otherwise.

You should also continue to check the baby's temperature with a rectal thermometer and discuss any fevers with a health care professional.

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