If
you think that your baby has a fever, it is vital to know the accurate
temperature so that you can start the treatment as soon as possible. This is
important as abnormalities in the body temperature almost always is a
manifestation of something troubling inside the body. For this you need a
quality thermometer for kids.
36.4
degree Celsius (97.5 degree F) is the normal body temperature of babies and
kids. A fever is considered when the temperature is above 100.4 F or 38 degree
Celsius. It is likely that babies have
fever if you notice the following:
·
Feel wet with sweat
·
- Have cheeks that are
reddened or flushed
· -Feel hotter than they
are usually, when touched especially on the back, forehead or stomach
In
case your baby is suffering from a fever, it is best to first check with a
thermometer and then go for a doctor. This will help you to judge whether
medical attention is at all needed or not.
How to take baby’s Temperature with Digital Thermometer?
For
taking an accurate reading you need a digital thermometer that you will get
online or from supermarkets and pharmacies. Now follow the instructions for
taking your kid’s temperature.
·
You must hold them
firmly on your knee and you should place the thermometer in the armpit of the
child. With kids under the age of five you should always use thermometer in the
armpit instead of any other places.
· Then you should firmly
and gently the arm should be held against their body for keeping the
thermometer intact for the length of time mentioned in the manufacturer’s
instructions. While some thermometers beep when they are ready, it usually
takes 15 seconds to detect the temperature.
·
The display will then
portray your kid’s temperature.
How to take my baby’s Temperature with Other Thermometer
Types?
In
case of babies and very young kids, digital thermometer is the best type of
thermometer. But here are some of the other types of thermometer that you can
use.
ü Strip-type
Thermometers – These are not an accurate way of
taking a temperature. They are usually held against the forehead. They depict
the temperature of skin rather than the body.
ü Ear (tympanic)
Thermometers- With these, you can take the
temperature from the ear. Though they are quick they are also very expensive.
But they can provide misleading temperatures if you are not able to put the
thermometer in the right way. This is mainly the case with the kids as their
body parts are very small.
ü Old-fashioned Glass
Thermometers – You can also use the erstwhile
glass thermometer that contained mercury. These can release glass splinters and
very lethal mercury if they break. This can be life-threatening to your baby.
They are no longer available in shops and not used in hospitals. If your baby
gets any contact with the mercury then take them to professional medical
custody immediately.
How to Make Sure that the Temperature is Accurate
You should get an accurate temperature if you
use a digital thermometer and put it under your child’s armpit and follow the
manufacturer’s instructions carefully. There are certain things that can alter
the temperature slightly like –
If
your child is:
ü In
a room with high temperature
ü Wrapped
up in a blanket tightly
ü Hugging
a hot water bottle
ü Very
active
ü Bathing
ü Has
a number of clothes on
If
that is the case, then you should allow your baby to cool down for a few
minutes. But you should not let them get cold or shivery. Take their
temperature again with a quality thermometer for kids,
in such case, to get the accurate temperature.
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