A newborn fever is one of the few baby symptoms that Singapore’s health authorities treat as urgent in itself. If your baby is under three months old and has a temperature of 38°C or more, the official advice is to get medical attention immediately, even if your baby otherwise seems well. This guide explains what a normal temperature looks like, how to take your baby’s temperature, the warning signs that need emergency care, and what to do while you get help.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about your baby, trust your instincts and see a doctor. If your baby is struggling to breathe, turning blue or grey, or is unresponsive, call 995 now.
We have based this guide on HealthHub, the Ministry of Health’s public health portal, and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), and we link to each page so you can read the original guidance.
What is a normal temperature for newborn babies?
HealthHub’s page on fever in children says normal body temperature is around 37°C, and that a temperature above 38°C is considered a fever. HealthHub’s guide to common infant conditions puts it simply: a baby has a fever at a temperature of 38°C and above.
A few things affect the number you see:
- Where you measure. HealthHub notes that armpit, forehead and mouth readings may be slightly lower than ear or rectal readings.
- Overwrapping. Babies can warm up if they are bundled in thick layers or blankets, especially in a warm room.
- The thermometer itself. Use a digital thermometer and follow its instructions.
HealthHub describes fever as a symptom of an infection rather than a disease in itself. For babies under three months, though, official guidance treats a fever as a reason for immediate medical attention, as the next sections explain.
How to take your baby’s temperature
HealthHub gives this guidance on which method to use by age:
- Under 4 weeks old: use an armpit (axillary) thermometer.
- 4 weeks and older: an armpit or ear (tympanic) thermometer can be used.
- Rectal readings are the most accurate, but are invasive and less convenient. HealthHub’s general fever page notes rectal measurement is recommended for infants 6 months and below.
Because the advice varies by method, the simplest step is to ask your baby’s doctor or the nurse at your polyclinic or birth hospital which method they want you to use, and to show you how before you need it.
Taking an armpit temperature, step by step
- Make sure your baby has not just come out of a bath or from under a heavy blanket.
- Switch on the digital thermometer and place the tip in the centre of the armpit, against bare skin.
- Hold your baby’s arm gently against their side to keep the thermometer in place.
- Wait for the beep, then read and write down the temperature and the time.
- Clean the thermometer according to its instructions. If your doctor showed you a different technique, follow theirs.
Keeping a written note of readings, feeds and wet nappies helps a doctor understand what has been happening. It is also useful when a helper or grandparent is caring for the baby.
When a newborn fever is an emergency
For babies under three months, the threshold is clear. HealthHub advises going to the Children’s Emergency immediately if a baby under three months has a temperature of 38.0°C or above. KKH’s list of emergency situations in infants and children includes fever or illness in an infant less than three months old.
Do not wait to see if the fever settles, and do not give any medicine unless a doctor has told you to.
Other warning signs that need the Children’s Emergency
HealthHub and KKH list these signs, at any age, as reasons to seek emergency care straight away:
- Difficult to wake, very drowsy or very lethargic
- Crying constantly and cannot be settled, or unusually irritable
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing or noisy breathing
- Pale, grey, ashen or blue skin
- Bruise-like spots or a rash
- A fit, also called a seizure or convulsion
- Poor feeding, or persistent vomiting so they cannot keep fluids down
- Drinking much less and passing much less urine than usual
KKH makes an important point: how high a fever is does not necessarily show how serious the illness is. Doctors look at the baby’s age, how long the fever has lasted and the other signs together.
When to call 995
HealthHub’s guide on when to take your child to the emergency department advises calling 995 for an ambulance when a baby needs urgent, critical care. Signs include breathing that has stopped or is a struggle, blue, purple or grey skin or lips, and a baby who is unresponsive or unconscious. If you see any of these, call 995 for an ambulance.
Older babies: when to see a doctor
Once your baby is past three months, the rules relax a little, but fever still needs attention. HealthHub advises taking a baby to the doctor if they are under one year old and have had a fever for more than 24 hours, or if they seem unwell, lethargic or are not feeding well. HealthHub’s childhood fever page also lists a temperature above 41°C as a reason to go to the Children’s Emergency at any age.
For babies of any age, if you are concerned or your baby seems to be getting worse, HealthHub’s advice is to seek medical attention and trust your instincts. You know your baby best.
What to do while you get help
These steps from HealthHub are about keeping your baby comfortable. They are not a substitute for seeing a doctor when the rules above apply.
- Dress your baby in thin clothing and cool the room. HealthHub warns against wrapping a baby in thick blankets to “sweat it out”, because it stops them losing heat.
- Keep feeding. Offer breast milk or formula in small, frequent amounts to prevent dehydration.
- Do not give any medicine without a doctor’s advice. HealthHub’s advice is not to give your baby any medication without first talking to a doctor, who will decide whether a fever medicine is suitable for your baby’s age and weight.
- Never use cold water or ice to cool a baby. HealthHub specifically advises against sponging with ice water or cold water.
- Bring the essentials: your baby’s health booklet, your note of temperatures and feeds, and a change of nappies and clothes.
Feeding well matters when a baby is unwell, so keep bottles and pump parts clean. Our guide to sterilising baby bottles covers the routine, and if you are expressing milk, our guide to expressing breast milk covers hygiene and storage.
Preparing your household, including your helper
Fever often appears at night or when a parent is at work, so everyone who cares for your baby should know what to do. Before you need it:
- Keep a digital thermometer in a fixed, known place, with spare batteries.
- Write down the rules on a card near the baby’s things: under three months and 38°C or above means the Children’s Emergency now; difficulty breathing, blue or grey colour, or no response means call 995.
- Agree who goes and how. Decide in advance who takes the baby to hospital, how they will get there, and who calls the parents.
- Save key numbers, including your baby’s doctor and the nearest children’s emergency department.
- Practise taking a temperature together, so your helper or grandparent is confident with the method your doctor recommends.
A helper with newborn experience can be a great support here, provided she knows the rules and has your permission to act quickly. Our guide to hiring a maid for newborn care covers what to look for, and our page on live-in help for newborn and confinement care explains how we place helpers with infant experience. Disturbed nights are common when a baby is unwell, and our newborn sleep guide covers safe sleep basics.
Related guides: Nanny or Babysitter in Singapore? Why Families Pick a Helper and Helper Childcare Routine: How Your Maid Can Help Your Family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature is a fever in a newborn?
HealthHub says a baby has a fever at a temperature of 38°C and above, and that normal body temperature is around 37°C. For a baby under three months old, a temperature of 38.0°C or more means you should take them to the Children’s Emergency immediately, even if they otherwise seem well.
Should I give paracetamol to my newborn with a fever?
Not without a doctor’s advice. HealthHub advises against giving a baby any medication without first consulting a doctor, and fever medicines for infants should only be used as a doctor directs. For a baby under three months with a fever of 38°C or more, go to the Children’s Emergency rather than treating at home.
Which thermometer is best for a newborn?
HealthHub suggests an armpit thermometer for babies under four weeks, and an armpit or ear thermometer from four weeks. Rectal readings are the most accurate but more invasive. Ask your baby’s doctor or nurse which method they prefer and to show you how to do it.
Can overdressing cause a high temperature in a baby?
HealthHub warns that thick blankets stop a baby losing heat, so dress your baby in thin clothing and keep the room cool. Do not assume a high reading is just from overdressing, though. In a baby under three months, a temperature of 38°C or more needs immediate medical attention whatever you think the cause might be.
When should I call 995 for my baby?
Call 995 if your baby is struggling to breathe or has stopped breathing, has blue, purple or grey skin or lips, or is unresponsive or unconscious. These signs need an ambulance rather than a car journey. For a fever without these signs in a baby under three months, go to the Children’s Emergency immediately.
Conclusion
Fever in an older child is often managed at home, but a young baby is different. If your baby is under three months and their temperature is 38°C or above, go to the Children’s Emergency straight away. At any age, difficulty breathing, unusual drowsiness, poor feeding, a rash or a fit need urgent care, and breathing trouble, blue or grey colour or no response mean calling 995.
Know the normal temperature for your baby, have a thermometer ready, and make sure everyone who cares for your baby knows the rules. Health guidance can change, so check the latest advice on HealthHub and with your baby’s doctor.
If you would like a helper with newborn experience to support your family through these early months, we are here to help. You can get in touch with the Femme5 team to discuss your family’s needs, read more about how we work with employers, or explore what a good placement looks like.
The Femme5 Team
Maid placement specialists, Femme5 Maid Agency
Our consultants work with Singaporean and expatriate families on helper matching, contracts and MOM compliance, and we verify the regulatory guidance in our articles directly against the Ministry of Manpower’s published requirements.
