My Baby's Temperature Is Too Low
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Okonkwo, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Neonatologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, WHO, AAP guidelines
Last reviewed:
If your baby has been diagnosed with or you suspect temperature is too low, here is what the evidence says.
The short answer
A normal body temperature for a baby is between 97.5°F and 99.5°F (36.4°C to 37.5°C) when taken rectally. Cool hands and feet are normal in babies due to immature circulation. However, a core body temperature below 97°F (36.1°C) is considered hypothermia and can be a sign of illness, especially in newborns where it may be more significant than fever as a warning sign of infection.
Key takeaways
- A normal body temperature for a baby is between 97.5°F and 99.5°F (36.4°C to 37.5°C) when taken rectally. Cool hands and feet are normal in babies due to immature circulation. However, a core body temperature below 97°F (36.1°C) is considered hypothermia and can be a sign of illness, especially in newborns where it may be more significant than fever as a warning sign of infection.
- Usually normal when: Cool hands and feet with a warm trunk - this is normal immature circulation, not hypothermia
- Call your doctor if: A newborn under 1 month has a rectal temperature below 97°F (36.1°C) despite being properly dressed and in a warm room - this can indicate serious infection or illness and requires immediate medical evaluation
- 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.”
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, WHO guidelines, a normal body temperature for a baby is between 97.5°F and 99.5°F (36.4°C to 37.5°C) when taken rectally. Cool hands and feet are normal in babies due to immature circulation. However, a core body temperature below 97°F (36.1°C) is considered hypothermia and can be a sign of illness, especially in newborns where it may be more significant than fever as a warning sign of infection. At 0-1 month, newborns are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia because they have a large body surface area relative to their weight, limited fat stores, and an immature ability to regulate temperature. Low temperature in a newborn can be caused by a cold environment, but it can also be an important sign of serious infection (sepsis), metabolic problems, or other illness. In fact, newborns with sepsis may present with low temperature rather than fever. If your newborn's rectal temperature is below 97°F (36.1°C) despite being appropriately dressed and in a warm environment, contact your pediatrician immediately. It is generally considered normal when cool hands and feet with a warm trunk - this is normal immature circulation, not hypothermia. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if a newborn under 1 month has a rectal temperature below 97°F (36.1°C) despite being properly dressed and in a warm room - this can indicate serious infection or illness and requires immediate medical evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-1 month
Newborns are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia because they have a large body surface area relative to their weight, limited fat stores, and an immature ability to regulate temperature. Low temperature in a newborn can be caused by a cold environment, but it can also be an important sign of serious infection (sepsis), metabolic problems, or other illness. In fact, newborns with sepsis may present with low temperature rather than fever. If your newborn's rectal temperature is below 97°F (36.1°C) despite being appropriately dressed and in a warm environment, contact your pediatrician immediately.
1-3 months
By 1-2 months, babies have improved temperature regulation but are still more susceptible to environmental cooling than older infants. A persistently low temperature in a young infant, especially if accompanied by poor feeding, lethargy, or mottled skin, is a concerning sign that warrants medical evaluation. Premature infants remain at higher risk for temperature instability for longer. Skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo care) is an effective way to warm a slightly cool baby.
3-12 months
Older infants have better thermoregulation, and true hypothermia from normal indoor exposure is uncommon. Cool hands and feet remain normal at any age and do not indicate the baby is cold - feel the chest or back of the neck to assess core temperature. If your baby feels cool to the touch on the trunk and a rectal temperature is below 97°F, ensure the room is warm enough (68-72°F for sleeping), add a layer of clothing, and recheck. If the temperature does not normalize, or the baby seems unwell, call your doctor.
1-3 years
Toddlers regulate their temperature well and are unlikely to become hypothermic indoors. Low readings on thermometers are more often due to improper technique (axillary or temporal readings can run lower than rectal). If you get an unexpectedly low reading, retake the temperature rectally or with an ear thermometer for accuracy. True hypothermia in a toddler is most likely from environmental exposure (cold weather) or could indicate a serious illness requiring evaluation.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed temperature is too low and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby consistently feels cool to the touch on the trunk and temperatures are persistently at the lower end of normal despite appropriate clothing.
- Mention if you are using a thermometer and repeatedly getting readings below 97.5°F (36.4°C) rectally.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Cool hands and feet with a warm trunk - this is normal immature circulation, not hypothermia
- A slightly low reading on a forehead or armpit thermometer that reads normally when checked rectally
- A mildly cool baby who warms up quickly after adding a layer of clothing or holding skin-to-skin
- Temperature within 97.5°F-99.5°F (36.4°C-37.5°C) rectally
- Your baby consistently feels cool to the touch on the trunk and temperatures are persistently at the lower end of normal despite appropriate clothing
- You are using a thermometer and repeatedly getting readings below 97.5°F (36.4°C) rectally
- Your baby seems less active or feeds less well when their temperature is on the low side
- A newborn under 1 month has a rectal temperature below 97°F (36.1°C) despite being properly dressed and in a warm room - this can indicate serious infection or illness and requires immediate medical evaluation
- Any baby has a low temperature along with poor feeding, lethargy, mottled or blue skin, weak cry, or floppy muscle tone - these are signs of a potentially serious condition requiring emergency care
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice temperature is too low — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that cool hands and feet with a warm trunk - this is normal immature circulation, not hypothermia — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-1 month, 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 a newborn under 1 month has a rectal temperature below 97°F (36.1°C) despite being properly dressed and in a warm room - this can indicate serious infection or illness and requires immediate medical evaluation.
Related Resources
Frequently asked questions
Is temperature is too low normal?
When should I call the doctor about temperature is too low?
When is temperature is too low normal?
What causes temperature is too low?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about temperature is too low?
Is temperature is too low normal at 0-1 month?
Is temperature is too low normal at 1-3 months?
Should I go to the ER for temperature is too low?
Does temperature is too low go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby's Temperature Is Too Low.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed temperature is too low and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby consistently feels cool to the touch on the trunk and temperatures are persistently at the lower end of normal despite appropriate clothing.
- Mention if you are using a thermometer and repeatedly getting readings below 97.5°F (36.4°C) rectally.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby consistently feels cool to the touch on the trunk and temperatures are persistently at the lower end of normal despite appropriate clothing
- You are using a thermometer and repeatedly getting readings below 97.5°F (36.4°C) rectally
- Your baby seems less active or feeds less well when their temperature is on the low side
Urgent signs to report immediately
- A newborn under 1 month has a rectal temperature below 97°F (36.1°C) despite being properly dressed and in a warm room - this can indicate serious infection or illness and requires immediate medical evaluation
- Any baby has a low temperature along with poor feeding, lethargy, mottled or blue skin, weak cry, or floppy muscle tone - these are signs of a potentially serious condition requiring emergency care
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 temperature is too low are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if a newborn under 1 month has a rectal temperature below 97°f (36.1°c) despite being properly dressed and in a warm room - this can indicate serious infection or illness and requires immediate medical evaluation.
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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