When should I get help for a newborn fever?
The NHS urgent help page says a baby under three months with a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher needs immediate medical help. Local routes can differ.
The short answer
NHS urgent help guidance says a baby under three months with a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher needs immediate medical help. The cited page directs readers to call 999 or go to A&E. Use local urgent care guidance where services differ.
Follow the urgent route for a young baby
The NHS urgent help page for babies and children under five says a baby under three months with a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher needs immediate medical help. The page directs readers to call 999 or go to A&E.
This article follows the route listed on that NHS page. Service names and phone numbers can differ by country, so use the urgent route advised by your local health service. Don’t wait for a general article or an app to check your baby.
Get help if your baby seems seriously unwell
A temperature is only one part of the picture. The NHS says to trust your instincts and get immediate help if you think something is seriously wrong. If your baby is difficult to wake or has difficulty breathing, use your local emergency route now.
If you’re worried or don’t know what to do, contact the urgent health service where you live. Follow the advice given by a doctor who can check your baby.
A record cannot check a fever
If a doctor asks you to note readings, write down the temperature, when it was taken and how it was measured. A record can’t identify the cause of a fever, tell you whether a baby is safe or replace immediate medical help.
Advice and phone numbers differ between countries, so use your local urgent help service if you live outside the UK.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked 12 October 2026. This page doesn’t replace advice from your own doctor.