Why babies get gas Gas in babies has two main sources: swallowed air and gas produced within the intestine. Swallowed air during feeding is common because infants are still learning to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing. Crying can also increase…

Why babies become dehydrated more quickly Dehydration means the body has lost more fluid than it has taken in, often with an imbalance of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. In babies, this can happen after gastrointestinal illness, fever, reduced…

What counts as a fever in a baby? For infants and children, many clinicians define fever as a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, especially when measured rectally. Rectal measurement is often considered the most accurate route for young babies, though…

What counts as diarrhea in a baby? Diarrhea is usually defined as a sudden increase in stool water content, stool frequency, or stool volume compared with that baby’s baseline. This distinction matters because normal infant stool can look surprisingly loose.…

First, confirm the temperature accurately For babies, accuracy matters. A rectal temperature is often considered the most reliable method in infants, especially when a precise reading is important. A fever is commonly defined as 100.4°F or 38°C or higher. Temporal,…

What a typical baby cold can look like A common cold in a baby usually begins with nasal congestion, sneezing, clear or thickening nasal discharge, mild cough, and irritability. Some babies have a low-grade fever, watery eyes, or reduced appetite.…

What counts as a fever in babies Fever is usually defined as a body temperature of 100.4°F or 38°C or higher. In infants, especially those under 3 months, a rectal temperature is often considered the most accurate home measurement. Temporal,…

Why accurate temperature measurement matters A baby’s temperature helps clinicians assess whether the body may be responding to infection, inflammation, overheating, immunization response, or another stressor. It does not identify the cause by itself. Two babies with the same temperature…

The immune system begins developing before birth Immune development starts in fetal life. During pregnancy, the fetus develops immune organs and cells, including lymphocytes, antigen-presenting cells, and components of innate immunity. However, the intrauterine environment is specialized: the fetal immune…

What temperature is normal for a baby? A normal baby temperature is best understood as a range rather than one perfect number. The commonly quoted 98.6°F, or 37°C, is only an average. Many healthy infants run a little warmer or…