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What is a normal temerature for my baby?

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Host: What is a normal temperature for my baby?

Dr. Ann Kellams: So there is a range for normal temperatures. Generally, we don't recommend randomly checking the baby's temperatures unless they are acting funny. So if they are doing something that's going to cause concern or make you want to call the baby's doctor then it is a good idea to check their temperature. Rectal temperatures are the gold standard and really the only reliable way of checking that baby's core temperature. So you got to have a rectal thermometer, a little bit of lubrication either, K-Y jelly or Vaseline is fine, insert it just past the tip and anything that's either less than 98 or greater than 100 could potentially be a red flag for an issue and we would like to know about that. So that would mean a call to the doctor.

Expert: Dr. Ann Kellams

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Dr. Ann Lenox Kellams, assistant professor of clinical pediatrics in the Division of General Pediatrics and medical director of the newborn nursery at the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital, is an expert in newborn care and breastfeeding. Kellams teaches pediatric clinical skills to students and residents and authored the Newborn Nursery Resident and Student Curriculum and Orientation Manual for UVA More »