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How To Check Your Baby's Temperature

•Last updated: October 22, 2025•3 min read
Chetan Meena
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Every parent should know how to check their baby's temperature. Here's why:

  1. "Does my baby have a fever?" Kids develop fever from time to time. You should know when to visit a doctor. And for this, you need to check and note your baby's temperature – it also helps the doctor to identify your baby's illness.

  2. Newborn babies are very sensitive to cold. You need to check your baby's temperature regularly to make sure your baby is well protected from cold.

How to Check Baby's Temperature​

1. With your hands​

  • Make sure your hands are clean, dry and warm.
  • Feel your baby's temperature with the back of your hand.
  • Check over your baby's belly and palms and soles. All three places should feel warm.
  • Regularly check your baby's temperature with hands.
  • Check the temperature with a thermometer as well if your baby feels cold or too hot.

2. With a thermometer​

Using thermometer

  • A digital thermometer can give a more accurate temperature.
  • Turn on the thermometer. Place its sensor in your baby's armpit. Gently hold baby's arm against the body.
  • Check the reading when the thermometer beeps, usually in about 1-2 minutes.
  • Normal temperature is between 36.5 and 37.5°C (97.7 to 99.5°F).

What to do if your baby has a fever?​

  • Your baby has a fever if her/his temperature is 37.7°C (100°F) or more.
  • Consult a pediatrician if your baby has a fever. The doctor will assess your baby's clinical condition and start treatment.
  • For babies under 3 months old with fever, seek immediate medical attention as this could indicate a serious infection.

What to do if the baby feels cold?​

  • Act immediately if the palms and soles of your newborn baby feel cold to touch.
  • Remove wet clothes.
  • Increase room temperature to 28°C or more. Make sure there is no airflow in baby's room.
  • Check baby's temperature with a digital thermometer.
  • If baby's temperature is slightly below normal (36°C to 36.5°C - mild cold stress):
  • Immediately consult your baby's doctor if:
    • Baby's temperature is less than 36°C (hypothermia), or
    • Baby is not breastfeeding well, or
    • Baby's temperature does not improve after 30 minutes of skin-to-skin contact

Learn the art of Kangaroo Care to maintain your baby's temperature along with a lot of bonus benefits.

Learn how to dress your baby to ensure proper warmth.

Baby care tips for your newborn baby.

Check how to take baby's temperature on NHS website.

Monitoring your baby's temperature is an essential parenting skill. With practice, you'll become confident in assessing your baby's health. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact us or consult your pediatrician.