DS (7 weeks on monday) had his first shots yesterday. Apart from being a bit more sleepy and a bit less hungry, he has been fine. This morning his temp is 37.7, and it has been far too long since I had a little baby so I have no clue at what point you treat a fever in a baby his age. With DD I don't treat anything under 39 unless she is in pain, but she is 7 so obviously completely different.

Any advice would be great, thanks!

ETA: I use an underarm thermometer.

I was taught at uni- between 38.5-39 degrees and if the child is distressed. Fever is the bodies way of fighting illness.

Hi, below is a link to the Aus Govt parenting website concerning fever in babies and also I've linked a pinned topic in this forum with details of access 24 hour health advice via phone (if you needed it later).
If you are in Vic you can also call the MCHN 24 help line.
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/fev...tml/context/645
http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/forums/ind...howtopic=896134
All the best.

Yeah I've looked at all the websites, they all say to see a doctor in babies under 3mths as it can be a sign of serious illness. It doesn't really say what to do for a normal raised temp from vaccinations...or at what temp to give anything. Maybe I should just give the phone number a call!

I would feel the baby's forehead, and if they feel hot, I would give a bit of panadol. Go with your gut instinct.

At 37.7 after shots I would just strip his clothes of as much as necessary. And make him comfy. It will pass soon enough. If it doesn't see a doctor.

With his 4 month shots he will be able to have panadol, a dose before his shots and then one 4 hours later should stop a fever.



I didn't think you could administer panadol until after 2 months?

You can give panadol after one month.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/b...munisation?open
You probably have seen this one as well (Victorian health).
At 37.7 with minimal or no misery then it would usually be case of "monitor" and no treatment except for extra cuddles, feeding, comfort etc.
FWIW, I only treated a fever with panadol or nurofen if my dd was really miserble, I'd take misery (for both of us!) as a sign we both needed help rather than the fever.
But having said that I didn't usually take a temp, just used my hand and misery level or feeding/sleeping behaviour as a guide.
Give someone a call, it can be easier to talk through concerns and options.
All the best.

Mmm, I'd go by how he is in himself - is he restless/irritable, whingy or otherwise acting as if he's in pain or uncomfortable as well as the temp? Otherwise if it was just a slight fever (I tend to use either my hand on his head or my cheek against his skin as a test) I'd just go with offering more, small feeds and keeping an eye on him with plenty of cuddles.

Thank you for all the replies. I was told to give him panadol above 38.5. Either way, I have given it to him twice today as he became extremely miserable, his temp wasn't overly high though. Anyway, it helped!

You think I wouldn't have to ask after having a daughter who had almost 20 febrile convulsions, but I'm still getting the hang of having a newborn again after 7 years lol.

Oh and just an FYI, the lady on the phone said they no longer recommend panadol prior to a vaccination as it can lower the immune response/efficacy of them. Learn something new every day!