My Baby's Fever Won't Go Down with Medicine
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Okonkwo, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Neonatologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, Mayo Clinic, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
If your baby has been diagnosed with or you suspect fever won't go down with medicine, here is what the evidence says.
The short answer
Fever-reducing medicine does not always bring the temperature back to normal, and that is okay. The goal is to improve your baby's comfort, not to reach a specific number. A temperature drop of 1-2 degrees after medication is considered a response. If your baby remains uncomfortable and the fever stays above 104°F despite proper dosing, contact your pediatrician.
Key takeaways
- Fever-reducing medicine does not always bring the temperature back to normal, and that is okay. The goal is to improve your baby's comfort, not to reach a specific number. A temperature drop of 1-2 degrees after medication is considered a response. If your baby remains uncomfortable and the fever stays above 104°F despite proper dosing, contact your pediatrician.
- Usually normal when: The fever drops by 1-2 degrees after medication even if it does not return to normal
- Call your doctor if: Your baby's fever stays above 104°F (40°C) despite proper medication dosing and comfort measures, or your baby under 3 months has any fever
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Fever itself is not an illness — rather, it is a sign or symptom that the body is fighting an infection. Fever stimulates certain defenses, such as the white blood cells, which attack and destroy invading bacteria.”
Thousands of parents search for this exact thing. You are not alone.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, Mayo Clinic, NIH guidelines, fever-reducing medicine does not always bring the temperature back to normal, and that is okay. The goal is to improve your baby's comfort, not to reach a specific number. A temperature drop of 1-2 degrees after medication is considered a response. If your baby remains uncomfortable and the fever stays above 104°F despite proper dosing, contact your pediatrician. At 0-3 months, any fever in a baby under 3 months that does not respond to a single dose of acetaminophen should be evaluated immediately. At this age, fever management at home is not the priority; identifying the cause of the fever is. Call your pediatrician or go to the emergency room if your newborn has a fever of 100.4°F or higher. It is generally considered normal when the fever drops by 1-2 degrees after medication even if it does not return to normal. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby's fever stays above 104°F (40°C) despite proper medication dosing and comfort measures, or your baby under 3 months has any fever.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-3 months
Any fever in a baby under 3 months that does not respond to a single dose of acetaminophen should be evaluated immediately. At this age, fever management at home is not the priority; identifying the cause of the fever is. Call your pediatrician or go to the emergency room if your newborn has a fever of 100.4°F or higher.
3-6 months
If acetaminophen does not bring your baby's fever down at all within 60-90 minutes, ensure you gave the correct weight-based dose using the included measuring device. A partial response (fever drops but does not return to normal) is expected and acceptable. Contact your pediatrician if the fever persists above 102°F despite medication or your baby seems very unwell.
6-12 months
With both acetaminophen and ibuprofen available, you have more options. If one medication does not provide adequate relief, your pediatrician may suggest trying the other or alternating. Make sure you are waiting appropriate intervals between doses (4-6 hours for acetaminophen, 6-8 hours for ibuprofen). Tepid sponge baths and light clothing can also help.
12-24 months
Toddlers with viral illnesses may have fevers that persist for 3-5 days and may not always respond dramatically to medication. Focus on your child's behavior rather than the thermometer number. A toddler who still plays, drinks fluids, and engages with you despite a fever is generally doing okay. A toddler who is listless, refuses all fluids, or seems unusually ill needs medical evaluation.
2-3 years
Stubborn fevers in older toddlers are common with certain viral infections. Roseola, for example, can cause high fevers for 3-5 days that may be hard to control with medication. Continue to offer fluids, keep your child comfortable, and watch for warning signs. If the fever lasts more than 5 days or new concerning symptoms develop, see your pediatrician.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed fever won't go down with medicine and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if the fever has persisted for more than 3 days without improvement.
- Mention if your baby's fever does not drop at all after a properly dosed medication.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- The fever drops by 1-2 degrees after medication even if it does not return to normal
- Your baby seems more comfortable and active after medication even if still slightly warm
- The fever returns when the medication wears off but responds again to the next dose
- A viral illness causes fever for 3-5 days that improves with medication even if not completely resolved
- The fever has persisted for more than 3 days without improvement
- Your baby's fever does not drop at all after a properly dosed medication
- You are unsure if you are dosing the medication correctly by weight
- Your baby's fever stays above 104°F (40°C) despite proper medication dosing and comfort measures, or your baby under 3 months has any fever
- Your baby is extremely lethargic, difficult to wake, refusing all fluids, has a rash, difficulty breathing, or shows signs of dehydration alongside the unresponsive fever
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice fever won't go down with medicine — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that the fever drops by 1-2 degrees after medication even if it does not return to normal — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-3 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Follow any care instructions from your pediatrician. Keep a written log of symptoms to bring to appointments.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby's fever stays above 104°F (40°C) despite proper medication dosing and comfort measures, or your baby under 3 months has any fever.
Related Conditions
Should I Give Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen for Fever?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used from birth (with doctor guidance for babies under 3 months), while ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) is only safe after 6 months of age. Both are effective fever reducers. Acetaminophen works for about 4-6 hours and ibuprofen for 6-8 hours. Always dose by weight, not age, and use the measuring device that comes with the medicine.
Can I Alternate Tylenol and Motrin for My Baby's Fever?
Alternating acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin) is sometimes recommended by pediatricians for stubborn fevers in babies over 6 months, but it carries a risk of accidental overdosing. If your doctor recommends alternating, give one medication, wait 3 hours, then give the other, and keep a written log of every dose to avoid confusion.
Baby Has a High Fever Over 104 Degrees F
A fever above 104 degrees F (40 degrees C) in a baby or toddler can be alarming, but the height of the fever alone does not necessarily indicate a more serious illness. Many common childhood viral infections (like roseola) can cause high fevers. What matters more than the number is how your child looks and behaves. A child with a 104 degree F fever who is still alert, making eye contact, and drinking fluids is less concerning than a child with a 102 degree F fever who is limp and unresponsive. However, fevers above 104 degrees F should always be discussed with your pediatrician.
My Baby Has a Fever That Won't Go Away
Most fevers in babies and toddlers are caused by viral infections and resolve within 3-5 days. A fever that lasts longer than 3 days, returns after seeming to resolve, or is accompanied by worsening symptoms warrants medical evaluation. The most important thing is how your baby looks and acts - a child who is alert and drinking well with a fever is generally less concerning than one who is listless, regardless of the temperature.
Related Resources
Fever Decision Tree
Step-by-step guidance for evaluating your baby's fever by age and temperature.
Medicine Dosage Calculator
Calculate correct Tylenol and Motrin doses by your baby's weight.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is fever won't go down with medicine normal?
When should I call the doctor about fever won't go down with medicine?
When is fever won't go down with medicine normal?
What causes fever won't go down with medicine?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about fever won't go down with medicine?
Is fever won't go down with medicine normal at 0-3 months?
Is fever won't go down with medicine normal at 3-6 months?
Should I go to the ER for fever won't go down with medicine?
Does fever won't go down with medicine go away on its own?
References
- [1]American Academy of Pediatrics. Fever Without Fear. HealthyChildren.org. AAP
- [2]Mayo Clinic. Fever: First aid. When to seek emergency help. Mayo Clinic
- [3]National Library of Medicine. Fever in Infants and Children. American Family Physician. NIH
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby's Fever Won't Go Down with Medicine.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed fever won't go down with medicine and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if the fever has persisted for more than 3 days without improvement.
- Mention if your baby's fever does not drop at all after a properly dosed medication.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- The fever has persisted for more than 3 days without improvement
- Your baby's fever does not drop at all after a properly dosed medication
- You are unsure if you are dosing the medication correctly by weight
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby's fever stays above 104°F (40°C) despite proper medication dosing and comfort measures, or your baby under 3 months has any fever
- Your baby is extremely lethargic, difficult to wake, refusing all fluids, has a rash, difficulty breathing, or shows signs of dehydration alongside the unresponsive fever
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of fever won't go down with medicine are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby's fever stays above 104°f (40°c) despite proper medication dosing and comfort measures, or your baby under 3 months has any fever.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Medical Concerns
Should I Give Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen for Fever?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used from birth (with doctor guidance for babies under 3 months), while ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) is only safe after 6 months of age. Both are effective fever reducers. Acetaminophen works for about 4-6 hours and ibuprofen for 6-8 hours. Always dose by weight, not age, and use the measuring device that comes with the medicine.
Can I Alternate Tylenol and Motrin for My Baby's Fever?
Alternating acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin) is sometimes recommended by pediatricians for stubborn fevers in babies over 6 months, but it carries a risk of accidental overdosing. If your doctor recommends alternating, give one medication, wait 3 hours, then give the other, and keep a written log of every dose to avoid confusion.
Baby Has a High Fever Over 104 Degrees F
A fever above 104 degrees F (40 degrees C) in a baby or toddler can be alarming, but the height of the fever alone does not necessarily indicate a more serious illness. Many common childhood viral infections (like roseola) can cause high fevers. What matters more than the number is how your child looks and behaves. A child with a 104 degree F fever who is still alert, making eye contact, and drinking fluids is less concerning than a child with a 102 degree F fever who is limp and unresponsive. However, fevers above 104 degrees F should always be discussed with your pediatrician.
My Baby Has a Fever That Won't Go Away
Most fevers in babies and toddlers are caused by viral infections and resolve within 3-5 days. A fever that lasts longer than 3 days, returns after seeming to resolve, or is accompanied by worsening symptoms warrants medical evaluation. The most important thing is how your baby looks and acts - a child who is alert and drinking well with a fever is generally less concerning than one who is listless, regardless of the temperature.
My Baby's Head Shape Looks Abnormal
Many babies develop temporary head shape irregularities that are completely normal. A cone-shaped head from vaginal delivery reshapes within days. Mild positional flattening (plagiocephaly) from sleeping on the back is very common and usually improves with repositioning and tummy time. However, head shape changes involving ridges, a persistently bulging fontanelle, or rapid head growth changes should be evaluated to rule out craniosynostosis.
Achondroplasia (Dwarfism) in Babies
Achondroplasia is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism, affecting about 1 in 15,000 to 40,000 births. It is caused by a mutation in the FGFR3 gene and is usually apparent at birth with characteristic features including short limbs, a larger head, and a prominent forehead. Intelligence is normal. With monitoring for specific complications and supportive care, children with achondroplasia lead full, active, and independent lives.