How To Take Your Baby’s Temperature

Bathing a cat and taking your baby’s temperatures can be similarly frustrating experiences! Your baby will probably wiggle and squirm and fidget through the whole process, making it next to impossible to accomplish. However, by keeping a few things in mind, it is a taks that you can complete.

Some reasons to take your baby’s temperature include:

- Your baby is particularly irritable, and nothing seems to soothe her

- Your baby’s skin is hot to the touch

- Your baby has a rash or has excessive sweating

- Your baby is breathing fast or noisily

- Your baby has a runny nose, is coughing, or has other cold and flu symptoms

There are a variety of types of thermometers available to use. Mercury thermometers are thought to be the most reliable. On the down side, mercury thermometers are breakable, and can be dangerous. Digital thermometers are generally accurate, and will typically give a correct reading if the battery is not low.

Thermometers vary as to the way they are used. There are oral thermometers, which may be digital or mercury. There are rectal thermometers, which also may be digital or mercury. There are ear thermometers which are only digital. Digital ear thermometers do not give as accurate a reading as other thermometers. The most accurate method for reading your baby’s temperature is with a rectal thermometer.

To take your baby’s temperature with a rectal thermometer:

- First, wash the thermometer thoroughly in soapy water. Rinse, and use alcohol to sterilize it.

- If you are using a mercury thermometer, shake the thermometer so that the mercury is below 98.6 degrees.

- Next, use petroleum jelly to coat the tip.

- Place your baby on a comfortable surface on his tummy.

- Gently spread your baby’s buttocks apart until you see the anal opening. Insert the anal thermometer carefully into the opening. Be sure it does not go more than one inch into the rectum.

- Help your baby hold still by putting one hand on the small of his back. Use the index finger and thumb of the other hand to hold the thermometer in place. Place the other fingers of that hand on the baby’s buttocks.

- After the required time has passed (usually three minutes, check your thermometer label to be sure) take out the thermometer carefully and slowly.

- Read the thermometer. A typical rectal thermometer reading for an infant should be around 99.6 degrees, although this will vary from one child to another.

- After you are all done, be sure to wash and sterilize the thermometer again.

Posted in Baby and Toddler