What Is the Normal Baby Temperature?
The average temperature is 36.4°C in infants and children. Any temperature above 38°C is considered a fever or high temperature.
What Physical Signs Do Indicate a Fever?
The following signs are indicative of fever:
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When your baby's forehead, stomach, or back is hot to touch.
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Flushed cheeks.
If you experience any of the above signs, check your baby's temperature with the help of a thermometer. Confused about how to take the temperature of a newborn? Learn about it in this article.
Before getting to know about how to take the temperature, gain some basic knowledge about thermometers and their types.
What Is a Thermometer?
A device that helps measure the temperature is called a thermometer. It is made up of two significant components. One is the temperature sensor that senses the alteration in the temperature, and the other component helps in converting the temperature into a numerical value. Parents are encouraged to buy a thermometer to ensure accurate measurement of their baby's temperature.
What Are the Types of Thermometers?
The following are the types of thermometers that measure the temperature of the body:
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Mercury thermometers.
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Digital thermometers.
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Tympanic thermometers.
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Temporal artery thermometers.
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Pacifier thermometers.
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Plastic strip thermometers.
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Smartphone applications that measure temperature.
Mercury Thermometers:
In mercury thermometers, the rise in mercury levels helps in measuring the temperature of the human body. Earlier, mercury thermometers were the most prevalently used, but now, their usage is not recommended due to the risk of mercury exposure. Mercury thermometers are no longer used in many parts of the world.
Digital Thermometers:
Digital thermometers are placed in the regions like the oral cavity, armpit, or rectum to measure the temperature. They are almost similar in design to the conventional mercury thermometers.
The doctors mostly recommend these because they give the most accurate and quick readings.
Tympanic Thermometers:
Tympanic thermometers measure the temperature with the help of an infrared sensor, which senses the temperature changes in the ear canal. It usually produces the results in a few seconds and can give accurate results when properly used. Its usage is recommended in babies above the age of 3 months. However, the presence of moisture or earwax and improper positioning of the thermometer can affect the values.
Temporal Artery Thermometer:
Temporal digital thermometers are a boon to humanity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. They come in both contact and non-contact types. The non-contact types measure the temperature without having any contact with the body part. Therefore, it prevents the risk of cross-infection. In contact types, the thermometer is placed in contact with the skin on the center of the forehead. These thermometers make use of infrared sensors and measure body temperature. However, these thermometers show temperatures about a degree Fahrenheit lower than that of the readings of an oral thermometer.
Pacifier Thermometer:
In this, a color change from blue to red indicates a rise in temperature or fever.
Plastic Strip Thermometers:
Thermochromic crystals, which change color with temperature changes, are used in this type of thermometer. Different temperatures are indicated by different colors in this type of thermometer.
The pacifier thermometers, plastic strip thermometers, and smartphone temperature applications are not generally recommended.
Which Thermometer Can Be Used in Infants and Children?
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Digital thermometers can be used in infants and children, but the region where the temperature is taken is determined by the age of children.
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Tympanic thermometers can be used in children above six months of age.
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Temporal thermometers are used in babies above the age of three months.
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Rectal reading taken by a digital thermometer is the most accurate for children, babies below three months, and infants between three and six months.
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A rectal or axillary reading taken from a digital thermometer or tympanic thermometer can be used in children above six months and four years. But tympanic and axillary temperatures are comparatively less accurate than rectal readings.
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Oral temperature is taken using a digital thermometer in children above the age of four years if they are cooperative. When the child breathes through the mouth due to stuffiness in the nose, then rectal or axillary reading with a digital thermometer or tympanic and temporal thermometers can be used to get the correct readings.
What Are the Different Temperature-Taking Methods of Digital Thermometers?
Digital thermometers can be used in the following regions:
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Rectal:
It is the most accurate method for measuring the temperature when taken in children below three years.
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Oral:
In cooperative children between the ages of four and five, this is the best method.
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Axillary:
Although it is good to check initially, it is the least accurate compared to other methods.
Let us discuss the different methods of obtaining temperature with digital thermometers, as they are accurate and can be used at home to measure your newborn's temperature.
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The first and foremost step while using digital thermometers is disinfection. Wash the end of your thermometer before and after use with soap and water. Dry the ends with a clean towel before using.
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Please do not take your child's temperature soon after their bath or when they have been kept warmer by bundling tightly.
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Do not leave your child alone along with thermometers nearby. And while taking temperature, stay with your child until you are done obtaining the temperature.
How Should I Take the Rectal Temperature of My Newborn?
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Petroleum jelly is applied to the tip to moisten it.
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Keep your child in either of the two positions:
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Make your baby lie on the stomach on your lap or any firm and flat surface, and keep your palm on the baby's lower back.
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Make your baby lie in the face-up position, bend down his legs towards his chest by supporting his back thighs with your hand.
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The thermometer is then inserted into the anal opening for about half an inch to one inch or until the thermometer has wholly entered the rectum.
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Do not insert the thermometer if you feel any resistance.
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After keeping the thermometer, hold it steadily and try talking with your child to divert his mind and ease his discomfort.
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Once you hear the beep, take it out and note down the temperature displayed on the screen.
How Should I Take the Oral Temperature of My Newborn?
Go for oral reading only when your child is old enough to cooperate. Do not take reading soon after eating or drinking. Take the reading only at least half an hour after eating or drinking.
Ensure there is no candy or any food item in the oral cavity that can produce incorrect readings. While taking the temperature, keep an eye on your child. Make sure your child is not biting the thermometer, is in a relaxed position, and is breathing through the nose.
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Keep the tip of the thermometer under the tongue and ask your child to close their mouth to hold it in place.
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Once you hear the beep from the thermometer, remove it to note the temperature displayed.
How Should I Take the Armpit Temperature of My Newborn?
It is used in children who are uncooperative as it requires less cooperation from the child. However, it is a less accurate method than the other two methods.
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Remove your child's clothes (on the upper half of the body) and place the thermometer under the armpit.
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Fold the arms of your child and place it across the chest to steadily hold the thermometer.
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Remove it after you hear the sound and make a note of the temperature shown on the screen.
Conclusion:
It would be pretty tiresome to take the temperature of your sick child. With the right technique, you can take the most accurate readings with less effort. If you note down any fever or a temperature rise, call your healthcare provider at the earliest and get your child treated.
