How to measure the temperature of a newborn baby - methods, tips and types of thermometers

When an infectious process occurs, our body begins to fight them on its own even before taking medication. In order to defeat the infection, the immune system has to start many chemical processes, as a result of which antibodies are formed that prevent the reproduction of viruses or bacteria, and this requires an increased temperature in the body. How to find out that the baby is sick and has a fever, because he still does not know how to speak? Nowadays, you can measure the body temperature of a newborn baby in different ways and with the help of various thermometers.

Content

Up to 6 months, it is advisable to measure the temperature of the baby every day (of course, this is ideal, and nobody will measure the temperature every day, but still you should know this), since immunity the kids have not yet matured, and the thermoregulation system has not been fully formed. For this reason, the child is easily overheated for up to six months with an active game or crying, and is supercooled with drafts.

The normal temperature for newborns is considered indicators from 36.3 to 37.3 ºC. If the baby has a temperature of 37 ºC for a long time, but there are no signs of illness, while the child is sleeping calmly, eating normally, then you don’t need to worry. After a few months, his thermoregulation processes will work correctly, and his body temperature will have a normal indicator for everyone. (Read the article:Normal body temperature of the baby)

If the baby has a lowered temperature to 35 ºC, then the previously taken antipyretic drugs may be the reason. If you have recently given such medicines to a child, then a low temperature may persist for some time after that.

Types of thermometers (thermometers)

1. Mercury thermometer

The most conservative and accurate way to measure your baby’s temperature is through a mercury thermometer. Its main advantage is accuracy, the measurement error is 0.1 degrees. Although, there are several disadvantages:

Firstly, the measurement time (7 minutes in the armpit and 5 minutes in the rectum) is too long for a restless peanut;
Secondly, this thermometer is not safe, because it contains mercury and is fragile, that is, it requires very careful handling, which is annoying when measuring the temperature of the baby.

2. Electronic

A more modern and convenient means for measuring temperature. Allows you to safely measure the temperature the baby in any way: in the mouth, armpit and rectally, but in the armpit gives less accurate indicators. Very convenient to use:

Duration of measurement is approximately 3 minutes;
Signaling at the end of measurement;
dummy thermometer
It happens in the form of a dummy. Measurement time is up to 4 minutes. Suitable only for children who take a pacifier, respectively, will serve you only as long as the baby uses a dummy. We read in detail: What is a nipple thermometer and is it worth buying for newborn babies?

An electronic thermometer has a greater measurement error than a mercury thermometer - up to 1 degree. In addition, it periodically needs to change the battery.

3. Infrared

A recent invention is non-contact and earplug. The first instantly measures the temperature when it is brought to the skin. It does not differ in high accuracy, but is convenient for controlling the temperature in dynamics or for determining the temperature of the milk mixture.

An ear thermometer is very convenient to measure the temperature in the baby: in 5 seconds, while the baby is sleeping. The disadvantage of these thermometers is one - it is a high price.

Infrared thermometer for newborns — Infrared ear thermometer

4. Disposable

It is a strip that needs to be applied to the skin or shoved under the tongue. The measurement time is 60 seconds. It does not have high accuracy, but can be convenient on the road.

How to measure temperature

In the armpit

If the child already knows how to sit, then sit him on your lap with the back of your head. Place the thermometer under the armpit and hold the baby's hand until the measurement is complete.
Put the child who is not sitting, back on his back, raise his arm, place the armpit tip thermally tightly, lower your arm and wait for the signal or hold for 7 minutes.

Rectally (in the rectum)

Put the baby on the back, with one hand take its legs by the ankles and lift it, slightly bending at the knees. Apply a baby cream or petroleum jelly to the end of the thermometer. Carefully insert a 2 cm thermometer into the rectum. After measuring, slowly remove the thermometer. After each use, the thermometer must be disinfected.

In the ear

Take the ear thermometer, pull the earlobe back and slightly up. Place the probe of the thermometer in the straightened ear canal. After the measurement, carefully remove the thermometer, also by pulling the child’s earlobe.

In a young child, the temperature can be taken orally only with a nipple thermometer. This is not recommended by other thermometers, but it is unlikely to succeed.

ATTENTION! A small child needs to measure temperature only when he is at rest. If before this the baby was actively moving, you swaddled him or he cried, then you need to wait a while, and then make a measurement.

If you measure the temperature of the baby during feeding, then keep in mind that at the same time it rises slightly.

It is important to remember that by evening, body temperature tends to rise. Therefore, if the baby's morning temperature was normal, but you still suspect that the baby is sick, then be sure to continue to measure it day and evening.

Normal temperature

In the armpit: 36.3 - 37.3 ºC.
In the mouth: 37.1 ºC.
In the rectum: 37.6 - 38 ºC.

Remember that increased body temperature is a protective natural response to the disease. Do not stop a small body from fighting the infection on its own. Knock down the temperature only at temperatures above 38.5 ºC.