Baby Temperature: What's Normal and When It's a Fever
The short version
A normal baby temperature is roughly 36.5–37.5°C. A reading of 38°C or higher counts as a fever. The exact “normal” range shifts a little depending on where you measure — ear and rectal readings run higher than armpit or forehead. Any fever in a baby under three months needs prompt medical advice. For older babies, keep them comfortable, offer plenty of fluids, and call your GP or 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) if you are worried.
Babies and young children run fevers from time to time, and it is rarely a sign of anything serious. Still, when your infant feels warm, knowing what a normal baby temperature looks like takes a lot of the worry away.
This guide covers what a normal baby temperature is, how the normal range changes with each type of reading, how to check your baby's temperature, what counts as a fever, and when a temperature needs a GP.
In this guide
What is a normal baby temperature?
A normal baby temperature is generally between 36.5 and 37.5°C. A temperature of 38°C or higher is considered a fever. A newborn's temperature sits in the same range, though newborns gain and lose heat quickly, so a reading can be affected by how warmly they are dressed. A baby's temperature naturally rises and falls a little across the day, and can lift after a warm bath, a feed, crying, or being dressed too warmly — so one slightly high reading on its own is not always a fever. Common signs that go with a fever include a flushed or pale face, a warmer forehead and back, being unsettled or sleepy, and feeding less than usual.
Baby temperature by reading: ear, armpit, oral, rectal
What counts as “normal” depends on where you take the reading. Internal readings (ear, rectal) sit higher than surface readings (armpit, forehead). Use the ranges in the baby temperature chart below as a general guide, and follow the instructions for your own device.
| Reading | Normal range | Fever from |
|---|---|---|
| Armpit (underarm) | 34.7–37.3°C | 37.4°C |
| Ear | 35.8–38.0°C | 38.0°C |
| Oral (mouth) | 35.5–37.8°C | 37.8°C |
| Rectal | 36.6–38.0°C | 38.0°C |
Once your baby grows into the toddler years, the ranges shift slightly — see our guide to toddler fever and temperature.
How to check your baby's temperature
There are a few ways to measure a baby's temperature, and the right one depends on the device you have and your baby's age:
- Digital thermometer (underarm) — a common choice for babies. Tuck the tip into the armpit and hold the arm gently against the body until it reads.
- Ear thermometer — quick, but position matters; follow the instructions to get a reliable reading.
- Forehead (infrared) thermometer — a fast, non-invasive option you can use without disturbing a sleeping baby, such as a forehead infrared thermometer.
Whichever you use, take the reading when your baby is settled rather than straight after crying or a warm bath, and check the same way each time so you can compare. For how the methods stack up, see choosing a thermometer for monitoring a fever.
A simple way to keep watch
The FeverMates forehead infrared thermometer gives a fast, non-invasive reading with one button — handy when you would rather not wake a sleeping baby. Designed in Australia.
What should a baby's temperature be?
A baby's temperature should sit roughly between 36.5 and 37.5°C when measured at the armpit or forehead. Anything from 38°C is a fever. More important than the exact figure is how your baby is feeding, settling and behaving: a baby who is feeding and content with a mild temperature is usually managing well, while a baby who is hard to rouse, refusing feeds or breathing quickly needs attention regardless of the number. When you are unsure, a quick call to your GP or 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) is always reasonable.
When a baby's temperature needs a doctor
See a doctor promptly — or call 000 in an emergency — if your baby:
- is under three months and has any fever (38°C or higher)
- is hard to wake, floppy or unusually drowsy
- is breathing quickly or with difficulty
- has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
- is refusing feeds, has far fewer wet nappies, or is hard to settle for hours
- has a fever lasting more than 24 hours in a young baby, or that keeps climbing
For the full picture on warning signs, read our guide to when to take your child to hospital for a fever.
While you watch and wait at home, keep your baby comfortable: offer feeds or fluids often, dress them in one light layer, keep the room comfortable, and let them rest. A damp cloth or a fever cooling patch (trimmed to fit a small forehead) can give a cooling sensation that many babies find comforting. A cooling patch is for comfort only — it does not lower a temperature, so keep checking with a thermometer.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal temperature for a baby?
What temperature is a fever in a baby?
How do I check my baby's temperature?
How often should I check my baby's temperature when they have a fever?
Staying calm
Most babies come through a fever in a few days. Keep them comfortable, keep fluids up, and trust your instinct — if you are worried, contact your GP, call 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84), or in an emergency dial 000.
See the full range, including thermometers and cooling patches, on the FeverMates range page.
Sources and further reading
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network — Fever fact sheet — schn.health.nsw.gov.au
- Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne — Kids Health Info — rch.org.au/kidsinfo
- Raising Children Network (Australian Government) — raisingchildren.net.au