A fever is a common problem many new moms have to deal with. The best way to confirm if your baby actually has a fever is to take their temperature with a thermometer.
You may want to do this if you notice your baby has flushed cheeks or feels warm to the touch, sweaty, and clammy. If your baby’s temperature is greater than 100.4°F (38°C), then they may just have a fever.
But what thermometers should you use? How do you make sure your reading is accurate? Keep reading to find out!
There are different types of thermometers available today. Most of them are easy to use and provide quick and accurate results. However, we will talk about the best options for taking your baby’s temperature.
This is one of the most recent and accurate ways to measure your baby’s temperature. It is also easier to use and causes less discomfort than using a rectal or armpit thermometer.
This new thermometer measures the body’s temperature through the blood flowing through the temporal artery on the forehead.
This is a digital thermometer that can measure your baby’s body temperature through the anus. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this thermometer for babies and toddlers below three years of age. It is accurate, quick, and easy to use.
Word of Caution: Please note that a rectal thermometer is different from an oral one. Both have different designs and purposes and can not be used in place of the other. An oral thermometer can injure your baby’s anus if used rectally.
First, confirm that what you have is a rectal thermometer and not an oral one. Rectal thermometers are designed with a safety bulb to protect your baby while taking a temperature reading. Once you have your rectal thermometer, follow these simple steps:
A digital thermometer can be used to take your baby’s axillary (armpit) temperature. Simply follow these steps:
Your baby is said to have a fever if you get a rectal or temporal artery temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or an armpit temperature greater than 99°F (37.22°C).
The mercury-in-glass thermometer is one of the oldest and most accurate thermometers available. However, these thermometers are very dangerous for babies. They can break, releasing tiny splinters of glass and highly poisonous mercury.
Take your child to the doctor right away if your baby is exposed to mercury.
The best way to ensure you get an accurate reading is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. You should also watch out for things that could alter your baby’s temperature like:
If you suspect your baby’s body is warm due to any of these, give them some time to cool down, then take your reading again.
If your baby’s temperature readings are still high after repeated measurements, then your baby could actually have a fever. However, do not panic as a fever is a common occurrence in babies. For more information on when to start worrying about your baby’s fever, click here.
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