A child’s fever usually responds well to basic care at home: the right dose of fever-reducing medication, plenty of fluids, and light clothing. A temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) is generally considered a fever in children, regardless of how it’s measured. The goal isn’t to eliminate the fever entirely but to bring it down enough that your child feels more comfortable.
What Counts as a Fever
A normal temperature in children can range from 97°F to 100.4°F depending on the time of day, activity level, and where on the body you measure. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers anything above 100.4°F a possible fever. Rectal thermometers give the most accurate reading in babies and toddlers, while oral thermometers work well for older children who can keep their mouth closed around the probe.
Fever-Reducing Medication
Two over-the-counter medications are the standard options for bringing down a child’s fever: acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Both are similarly effective at lowering temperature and reducing discomfort. The key differences are age limits and timing.
Acetaminophen can be given to children of any age. For kids under 12, you can give a dose every 4 hours as needed, up to 5 doses in 24 hours. Ibuprofen should not be used in babies younger than 6 months. For children 6 months and older, it can be given every 6 to 8 hours. Both medications are dosed by weight, not age, so check the packaging or your pediatrician’s dosing chart and use your child’s current weight to determine the correct amount.
These medications typically start working within about 30 minutes. Two hours after a dose, you can expect the fever to drop by 2°F to 3°F. That means a fever of 103°F might come down to around 100°F or 101°F, not all the way to normal. That’s a realistic result and usually enough to help your child feel noticeably better.
Alternating Medications
Some parents alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen to keep the fever down more consistently. A large review of 31 clinical trials involving 5,000 children found that alternating or combining the two medications was more effective at reducing fever at the 6-hour mark than using acetaminophen alone. The rate of side effects was similar across all approaches in the short term.
There’s an important caveat, though. That research only measured outcomes at 6 hours. Most febrile illnesses last longer, meaning children end up taking multiple doses of both drugs over several days. Longer use raises the chance of side effects, and juggling two medications with different dosing schedules makes errors more likely. If you do alternate, write down every dose with the time and drug name so you don’t accidentally double up.
Fluids and Hydration
Fever increases your child’s fluid needs because their body is burning through water faster than usual. Offer small, frequent sips rather than pushing large amounts at once. Water and an oral electrolyte solution (like Pedialyte) are the best choices for younger children. For breastfed babies, continue nursing on demand.
Avoid using clear sodas or fruit juice as a hydration source during illness. These can actually worsen electrolyte imbalances because of their high sugar content and low sodium. Older kids can have water, diluted broth, or ice pops in addition to electrolyte drinks.
Clothing, Blankets, and Room Temperature
Dress your child in a single light layer. Bundling a feverish child in heavy blankets or extra clothing traps heat and can push the temperature higher. If your child is shivering, a light blanket is fine, but remove it once the shivering stops. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature, neither too warm nor too cold.
Lukewarm Sponge Baths
A sponge bath can help bring a fever down, especially while you’re waiting for medication to kick in. Use lukewarm water between 90°F and 95°F (32°C to 35°C). Place your child in a few inches of water and gently sponge it over their arms, legs, and torso for 10 to 15 minutes.
Never use cold water, ice, or rubbing alcohol. Cold water causes shivering, which actually raises the body’s core temperature. Rubbing alcohol can be absorbed through the skin and is toxic. Lukewarm water works by allowing gentle evaporation from the skin’s surface, pulling heat away gradually.
When a Fever Needs Immediate Attention
Age matters more than the number on the thermometer. Any fever above 100.4°F in a baby younger than 3 months old requires prompt medical evaluation, even if the baby looks well. Infants this young have immature immune systems, and a fever can be the only sign of a serious bacterial infection. Babies under 3 weeks old with a fever are typically hospitalized for testing and observation regardless of how they appear.
For older infants and children, the fever itself is less concerning than how your child is acting. Signs that warrant a call or visit include:
- Persistent lethargy or difficulty waking. A feverish child who is drowsy but responds to you is different from one who is limp or unresponsive.
- Refusal to drink fluids for several hours, or signs of dehydration like no tears when crying, a dry mouth, or significantly fewer wet diapers.
- A fever lasting more than 3 to 5 days, even if your child seems otherwise okay.
- A temperature above 104°F that doesn’t respond to medication.
- New rash, stiff neck, or difficulty breathing alongside the fever.
What Not to Do
Don’t give aspirin to anyone under 18. Aspirin use during viral illness is linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition affecting the liver and brain. Don’t give any fever-reducing medication to a baby under 3 months without calling your pediatrician first. And don’t wake a sleeping child just to give fever medicine. Sleep is one of the best things for recovery, and a child who is resting comfortably doesn’t need their fever treated at that moment.
It’s also worth resisting the urge to check the thermometer constantly. If your child took a dose of medication 30 minutes ago and still registers 102°F, that’s normal. Give it the full two hours before expecting a meaningful drop. Treating a fever is about comfort, not chasing a specific number on the thermometer.