Baby has a high temperature: when to get help
The NHS says to get medical help urgently if your baby is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38°C or higher, or is 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39°C or higher. If you are worried about a baby of any age, trust that and call.
This page is deliberately short. If you are reading it with a hot baby in your arms, the numbers are in the first table.
The thresholds
| Baby’s age | Get urgent medical help if temperature is |
|---|---|
| Under 3 months | 38°C or higher |
| 3 to 6 months | 39°C or higher |
These are the NHS thresholds for getting medical help urgently.
Call anyway if you are worried
You know your baby. If something feels wrong, that is a reason to call, whatever the thermometer says. In the UK that means 111 or your GP for urgent advice and 999 in an emergency.
What to have ready when you call
- The temperature and when you took it.
- When your baby last fed and how well.
- When the last wet nappy was.
- Any medicine given, with the name, dose and time.
A log makes this easy; memory at 4am does not. See what to track for a newborn.
Jaundice
Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes is common in newborns and usually harmless. The NHS advice is that if your baby is over 24 hours old and you think they have jaundice, you should get an urgent GP or midwife appointment or call 111.
This page is general information. It does not replace advice from a health professional who can see your baby.
Questions, answered
What temperature is a fever in a baby?
The NHS thresholds for urgent help are 38°C or higher under 3 months, and 39°C or higher at 3 to 6 months.
Who do I call?
In the UK, call 111 or your GP for urgent advice and 999 in an emergency. Elsewhere, use your local urgent care line or emergency number.
Should I write the temperature down?
Yes. Note the reading, the time and any medicine given, with the dose as written on the label. It is the first thing a doctor will ask.
Is jaundice in a newborn an emergency?
Jaundice in babies is common and usually harmless, but if your baby is over 24 hours old and you think they have jaundice, the NHS advises an urgent GP or midwife appointment or calling 111.
Sources
Sources last checked on 4 November 2026.
This guide is educational and does not replace advice from your midwife, health visitor or doctor. If you are worried about yourself or your baby, contact them, or your local emergency number in an emergency.