Babies have relatively weak immunity, and fever is a common occurrence, so monitoring a child’s body temperature is particularly important. The normal temperature range is as follows: rectal temperature between 36.5℃ and 37.5℃; oral temperature between 36.2℃ and 37.3℃; axillary temperature between 35.9℃ and 37.2℃. A temperature exceeding these ranges by more than 0.5℃ is considered a fever. Especially for infants under one year old, their temperature regulation center is not yet mature and is easily influenced by external temperatures, so a temperature below 37.5℃ is usually considered normal. High temperatures in summer or excessive wrapping can raise an infant’s body temperature, but adjusting the environment and providing appropriate care can rapidly return it to normal.
To determine whether an infant has a fever, the axillary temperature is usually used as a reference, with normal values between 36℃ and 37℃; exceeding 37.5℃ is considered low-grade fever, while reaching 39℃ is classified as high fever. It is worth noting that infants generally have a slightly higher body temperature than adults, and there are fluctuations throughout the day, which is normal. If an infant’s temperature is slightly low but stable, there is generally no need for concern; the key is to ensure they are warm enough to prevent a cold.
When dealing with infant fever, if the temperature does not reach 38.5℃, it can be managed by increasing fluid intake and using physical cooling methods; once it exceeds 38.5℃, it is recommended to use antipyretics under medical guidance, such as paracetamol, infant Tylenol, or Melatonin.
Paying attention to and correctly understanding the fluctuations in an infant’s body temperature is crucial for timely responses to fever, ensuring the child’s health is not compromised.
