Infant
1–12 months
Is this fever dangerous? She's 4 months old.
Highlighted answer — most-read this week
A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 3 months requires an immediate call — no exceptions. For babies 3–6 months, a fever above 102°F (38.9°C) that doesn't come down with acetaminophen or is accompanied by unusual fussiness, difficulty breathing, or a rash warrants a same-day visit. Between 6–12 months, fever alone without other concerning signs can often be managed at home for 24–48 hours. How your baby acts matters as much as the number.
When to call us
Under 3 months: call us for ANY fever. 3–6 months: call for fever above 102°F. 6–12 months: call if fever persists over 48 hours or baby seems very unwell.
When do we start solids? And what do we start with?
Most babies are ready to start solid foods around 6 months — not before 4 months, and ideally not past 7 months. Look for these readiness signs: good head control, sitting with minimal support, showing interest in food, and the tongue-thrust reflex fading. Start with single-ingredient purees or appropriately soft foods. Current evidence supports introducing common allergens (peanut products, eggs, tree nuts) early — around 6 months — to reduce allergy risk. Baby-led weaning and purees are both valid approaches.
When to call us
Call us if your baby shows signs of an allergic reaction after trying a new food: hives, swelling, vomiting within 2 hours, or difficulty breathing (call 911 for breathing difficulty).
Does my baby actually need all these vaccines?
Yes — and the schedule is designed around when your baby is most vulnerable. Vaccines like the Hib vaccine protect against bacterial meningitis that can kill or cause deafness in babies under 12 months. The DTaP schedule starts at 2 months because whooping cough is most deadly in young infants. Each vaccine is timed to build immunity before your child faces the highest risk. The schedule has been studied in millions of children and is updated annually based on safety and efficacy data. Delaying vaccines delays protection.
When to call us
Call us within 48 hours if your baby has a fever above 105°F after vaccination, unusual prolonged crying, or any concerning reaction.
Download Your Free Age Guide
A stage-specific wellness packet written by our doctors — milestones, vaccine schedules, and what to watch for.
Our Practice
Medicine that meets you where you are — not where a textbook says you should be.
Dr. Sarah Okonkwo and her team have been caring for children in this community since 2007. We see every family as a partnership — you know your child best, and we bring the clinical framework to help you make sense of what you're seeing.
Our office is designed for children: exam chairs shaped like animals, a waiting room that doesn't feel like waiting, and a staff that actually remembers your kid's name.
Dr. Sarah Okonkwo, MD FAAP
Board Certified Pediatrician · ABP Member since 2007
18+
Years serving families
4,200+
Active patient families
4.9/5
Patient satisfaction score
Same-day
Sick visit availability
Clinical Guidance
When to call us — and when to call 911
Clear thresholds so you're never guessing at 2 a.m.
Call 911 Now
- Difficulty breathing, blue lips, or skin
- Seizure lasting more than 5 minutes
- Unresponsive or won't wake up
- Severe allergic reaction (throat swelling, hives + vomiting)
- Head injury with loss of consciousness
Call Us Immediately
- Fever over 100.4°F in babies under 3 months
- Fever over 105°F at any age
- Stiff neck with fever and headache
- Rash that looks like small red dots (petechiae)
- Severe dehydration: no wet diaper in 8+ hours, no tears
Same-Day Visit
- Ear pain with fever
- Strep throat symptoms (sore throat + fever, no cough)
- Suspected urinary tract infection
- Eye discharge or pink eye
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea in a young child
After-hours line available 24/7
Our after-hours nurse line connects you with a triage nurse every evening and weekend. You'll speak with a real person — not a recording — within 15 minutes.
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After-hours nurse line available 24/7 · Most insurance accepted