Newborn baby…

[CurlewKate]

My DD’s friend and her newborn are being kept in hospital because the baby had a temperature. Is that a usual thing? I’ve never heard of that before….? Absolutely no complications up to this point.,…

It's not at all unusual. I'm surprised that you're surprised.

Actually very common, baby is in the right place and will be receiving treatment. You do know that any baby under 12 weeks with a temperature is a red flag?

Happened to a friend of mine a couple of weeks ago. All absolutely fine and normal.

If the baby has a temperature, they have probably been started on IV antibiotics. Potential infections in the neonatal period are taken extremely seriously.

thank you. Not something I’ve heard of before. Apologies for my ignorance!

To further clarify, it is a medical emergency in NB's up to 3 month old. Their weak immune systems mean they are susceptible to infections, could have sepsis or meningitis.

I have experience here! My 1st dc had a serious infection, likely from a scratch at birth, that landed us in NICU at 7d old for 4 days.
Then my 2nd dc caught RSV from us and we were admitted at 28d old for 3 days.

Both incidents were terrifying (lumbar puncture in particular on my tiny baby and their screams) and, quite honestly, left me somewhat paranoid about getting sick and fastidious about keeping sickness away from my family.

This was me - all absolutely fine in our case in the end (although as has already been described, it isnt always) the hospital just wanted to keep us for a second night as my baby had a temperature and tbh as first time parents we were thankful of the fact we didnt have to care for him "alone" yet.

Why would you think it wouldnt be normal? It isnt as though the NHS will be keeping them out of the goodness of their hearts - they dont have enough beds!

Please take her some food and drink when you go to visit. Hope temp comes down soon.

Thank you. Of course I understand that a temperature can be serious in a tiny baby. I have just never heard of a baby having a temperature at birth. And yes, I have made sure dd will take the right things with her when she visits today!

Seems reasonable, baby could have an infection

Sometimes, if the waters have been broken for a while, the baby can pick up an infection.
They can also get them via the birth canal anyway.

I hope your DD and the baby come home soon.

Yes it's very common. They won't discharge them until the temperature comes down.
My nieces baby had an infection at birth and had to have antibiotics and wasn't discharged until it had cleared up