A healthy baby’s temperature is usually around 36.4 °C (97.5 °F), with a normal range of about 36.5–37.5 °C (97.7–99.5 °F) depending on age and how you measure it.

Normal baby temperature

  • For most babies and children, a normal body temperature is about 36.4 °C, but some are naturally a little higher or lower.
  • Many paediatric and newborn sources describe a normal range of roughly 36.5–37.5 °C, especially in the first days of life.

When it counts as a fever

  • A temperature of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or above is usually considered a fever in babies and children.
  • Below about 36 °C (96.8 °F) can be too low for a newborn and may need medical attention, especially right after birth.

How to check it

  • Use a proper digital thermometer and follow local health guidance; some services recommend under‑arm readings for babies, as they are safer and easier.
  • Take the temperature when your baby is calm and not wrapped in heavy clothes, as over‑bundling or recent activity can make readings higher.

When to seek urgent help

  • Get same‑day or urgent medical help if your baby under 3 months has a temperature of 38 °C or higher, or if any baby is very sleepy, hard to wake, breathing fast, not feeding, or seems seriously unwell, regardless of the number.
  • Also seek help if your baby’s temperature is below 36 °C and does not quickly improve with skin‑to‑skin contact and warming, or if hands and feet stay cold and your baby looks unwell.

If you are worried about your baby’s temperature or behaviour at any point, it is safest to contact a doctor or emergency service, even if the thermometer reading seems “normal.”

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.