A child's fever can be frightening, especially when the thermometer shows a high number. Parents often immediately wonder whether they should give medicine, use a cold bath, or try to bring the temperature down as quickly as possible.
The good news is that many childhood fevers can be safely managed at home when the child is otherwise alert, drinking fluids, breathing normally, and not showing signs of serious illness.
A fever is generally considered a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher. It is usually the body's natural response to an infection.
The goal of home care is not necessarily to eliminate the fever completely. It is to keep your child comfortable, prevent dehydration, monitor symptoms, and recognize when medical care is needed.
1. Check the Temperature Correctly
Use a reliable digital thermometer and follow its instructions.
For young children, an armpit measurement is commonly used. If your child has just had a bath or has been wrapped in blankets, wait a few minutes before checking again because the temperature may temporarily be higher.
Don't rely only on how hot your child's forehead feels. A thermometer gives you a more useful measurement.
2. Give Plenty of Fluids
One of the most important things you can do is prevent dehydration.
Offer your child fluids regularly. Depending on their age, this may include:
- Water
- Breast milk
- Formula
- Suitable fluids recommended by their healthcare professional
If your child does not want a large drink, try offering small amounts more frequently.
Watch for signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth, fewer tears, unusually dark urine, or fewer wet diapers.
3. Continue Breastfeeding
If your baby is breastfed, continue breastfeeding as usual.
Breast milk provides both nutrition and fluid, which can be especially helpful when a baby is unwell.
If your baby is feeding significantly less than usual or is difficult to wake for feeds, contact a healthcare professional.
4. Dress Your Child Comfortably
Avoid wrapping a feverish child in multiple layers of clothing or heavy blankets.
Light, comfortable clothing is generally appropriate. If your child has chills or is shivering, provide a light blanket for comfort rather than overheating them.
The goal is comfort—not forcing the temperature down through excessive cooling.
5. Give Fever Medicine Only When Appropriate
Fever-reducing medicines can help when a child is distressed or uncomfortable.
Common medicines include:
- Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
- Ibuprofen
Always check the product label and use the dose appropriate for your child's age and weight. If you are unsure about the correct dose, ask a doctor or pharmacist.
These medicines help with comfort and can lower the temperature, but they do not treat the underlying cause of the infection.
Important medication precautions
Do not give aspirin to children under 16 because of the risk of serious complications.
Ibuprofen may not be suitable for very young babies or children who are dehydrated, have chickenpox, or have certain medical conditions. Check with a healthcare professional if you are unsure.
Do not routinely alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen unless a healthcare professional has specifically advised you to do so.
6. Don't Force Your Child to Eat
When children have a fever, their appetite may decrease.
If your child wants food, offer normal nutritious foods that they tolerate. But don't force them to eat.
Fluids are especially important.
Once your child feels better, appetite usually improves.
7. Let Your Child Rest
Fever can make children tired and sleepy.
Allow your child to rest and sleep as needed. Continue checking on them regularly, including during the night, particularly if they are very young or seem more unwell than usual.
8. Avoid Ice-Cold Baths
Cold baths, ice packs, and very cold water can make a child shiver and become uncomfortable.
They are not recommended as routine methods for treating fever.
Similarly, never use rubbing alcohol on a child's skin to try to lower a fever.
9. Don't Sponge Your Child to Force the Fever Down
Traditional advice sometimes recommends sponging a feverish child with water.
Current NHS guidance advises not to sponge children down to cool them. The priority should be keeping the child comfortable, hydrated, and appropriately dressed.
10. Focus on Your Child, Not Just the Thermometer
The temperature number is only one part of the picture.
A child with a fever who is drinking, responding normally, and becoming more comfortable may be less concerning than a child with a lower temperature who is extremely sleepy, confused, struggling to breathe, or difficult to wake.
Pay attention to your child's:
- Alertness
- Breathing
- Hydration
- Feeding and drinking
- Urination
- Skin color
- Behavior
- Other symptoms
The child's overall condition is important when deciding how urgently they need medical assessment.
When Should You Seek Medical Help?
Some children with fever need medical assessment rather than home treatment.
Babies Under 3 Months
A baby under 3 months old with a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher needs urgent medical assessment.
Do not simply treat the fever at home and wait to see what happens.
Children Aged 3 to 6 Months
For children aged 3–6 months, a temperature of 39°C (102.2°F) or higher requires prompt medical advice according to NHS guidance.
Seek Urgent Medical Care If Your Child:
- Is difficult to wake
- Is unusually confused or unresponsive
- Has difficulty breathing or is breathing very fast
- Has a stiff neck
- Has a seizure
- Has a rash that does not fade when pressed
- Has blue, grey, very pale, or blotchy skin
- Is repeatedly vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
- Shows signs of significant dehydration
- Is becoming increasingly unwell
- Has severe or worsening pain
A non-blanching rash—one that does not fade when you press a clear glass against it—can be a sign of serious infection and requires urgent assessment.
What If the Fever Lasts Several Days?
Many childhood fevers improve within a few days.
If the fever lasts 5 days or more, or your child is getting worse at any point, seek medical advice.
You should also seek advice sooner if you are worried, even if the fever has not lasted that long.
What Parents Should NOT Do
Avoid these common mistakes:
❌ Do not give aspirin to a child under 16.
❌ Do not use alcohol on the skin.
❌ Do not use ice baths or very cold water.
❌ Do not overdress the child.
❌ Do not force food.
❌ Do not give medicines simply because the thermometer shows a number if your child is comfortable and your healthcare professional has not advised it.
❌ Do not give adult medicines unless they are specifically appropriate and correctly dosed for your child.
❌ Do not rely on fever medicine to hide symptoms that are getting worse.
A Simple Fever Care Routine
When your child has a fever, use this simple checklist:
1. Check the temperature.
2. Look at your child's overall condition.
3. Offer fluids frequently.
4. Continue breastfeeding if applicable.
5. Dress your child comfortably.
6. Allow plenty of rest.
7. Use paracetamol or ibuprofen when appropriate for discomfort and according to age/weight and product instructions.
8. Monitor for dehydration and other symptoms.
9. Check your child regularly.
10. Seek medical care if warning signs appear.
Can Fever Be Prevented?
Not every fever can be prevented because fever is often part of the body's response to infection.
However, good hand hygiene, staying up to date with recommended vaccinations, avoiding close contact with people who are sick when possible, and following general infection-prevention measures can reduce the risk of some infections.
Final Thoughts
A fever can look alarming, but the fever itself is often the body's natural response to an infection.
The safest approach is not to try to make the thermometer show a normal number as quickly as possible. Instead, focus on comfort, hydration, appropriate clothing, correct medication when needed, and careful observation.
Most importantly, know the warning signs.
If your child is very unwell, difficult to wake, struggling to breathe, dehydrated, having a seizure, or has a concerning non-fading rash, seek urgent medical care rather than trying to manage the fever at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature is considered a fever in children?
A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher is generally considered a fever.
Should I always give medicine for a child's fever?
Not necessarily. Fever-reducing medicine is mainly used when the child is distressed or uncomfortable. Follow the medicine's age and weight instructions and ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure.
Can I give paracetamol and ibuprofen together?
Do not routinely give or alternate them together unless a healthcare professional has advised you to do so.
Can I use a cold bath to lower my child's fever?
Cold baths and ice-based cooling methods are not recommended. They can cause shivering and discomfort.
Should I use a wet cloth or sponge to lower a fever?
Routine sponging is not recommended by NHS guidance. Focus instead on fluids, comfortable clothing, rest, and appropriate medical advice.
When is a fever dangerous for a baby?
A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher requires urgent medical assessment.
How long does a typical childhood fever last?
Many uncomplicated childhood fevers improve within a few days. If the fever lasts 5 days or more, or the child becomes more unwell, seek medical advice.
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