All About Temperature

How it happens in the beginning
For the first few days of life, the newborn’s body temperature may be slightly elevated (37.0-37.4 ° C in the armpit). Then it is set within 36.0-37.0°C (usually 36.6°C). To find out what is normal for your baby, take his temperature when he is healthy and calm. It is advisable to try it on both under the armpit and in the rectum. Do this morning, afternoon and evening. Record and save the results obtained. If your baby gets sick, you can judge for sure how much his temperature has risen. You can measure the temperature of babies in the armpit, in the inguinal fold, in the rectum (rectally), but not in the mouth. The exception is when measuring temperature using a pacifier thermometer.

Temperatures vary...
Rectal temperature (measured in the rectum) is approximately 0.5 degrees Celsius higher than oral temperature (measured in the mouth) and a degree higher than the axillary (or groin) temperature. For the same child, the variation in these readings can be quite large. For example:

1. normal temperature in the armpit or inguinal fold is 36.6°C
2. oral 37.1 °C
3. rectal 37.6°C

...and not always dangerous
A temperature slightly above the generally accepted norm may be an individual characteristic of the baby. Evening readings are usually higher than morning readings (by a few hundredths of a degree). The temperature may rise due to overheating, emotional arousal, or increased physical activity.

To assess how much your baby’s temperature has risen, do the following:

1. measure temperature at the same time;
2. do not do this when the child is crying, scared, overly excited, give him time to calm down;
3. keep data on normal indicators;
4. Do not measure the temperature under the blanket: if the newborn is tightly wrapped, his temperature may rise significantly.

How often is temperature taken during illness?

It is enough to do this three times a day: morning, afternoon and evening, every day at approximately the same time throughout the illness. Write down the measurement results, so the doctor can use them to judge the course of the disease. You need to measure your temperature more often in the following cases:

1. the baby has a high fever (from 39.0°C);
2. you need to evaluate the effectiveness of the antipyretic;
3. the child had an episode of febrile seizures (some children experience these in response to a fever).

Measurement step by step

It is advisable that the baby has his own personal thermometer. Before each use, be sure to clean it with alcohol or warm water and soap.

1. Measuring the temperature in the rectum is convenient only for small children. A five- to six-month-old baby will deftly wriggle out and won’t let you do this. In addition, this method of measurement may be unpleasant for the child. If the baby resists, pick him up and measure his temperature under his arm. An electronic thermometer is most suitable for measuring rectal temperature, as it allows you to do this very quickly: you will get the result in less than 1 minute. The mercury thermometer must be held for at least five minutes, and besides, you risk breaking it if the baby twitches.

1. So, take a thermometer (first shake off the mercury to below 36.0°C), lubricate its tip with baby cream.

2. Place the baby on his back, lift his legs with one hand (as if you were washing him), with the other hand, carefully insert the thermometer into the anus so that its tip sinks into it (about 2 cm). Fix the thermometer between two fingers (like a cigarette), and squeeze the baby’s buttocks with the other.

2. The temperature in the groin and armpit is measured with a glass mercury thermometer. You will receive the result in 10 minutes.

1. Shake the thermometer to below 36.0°C.
2. Wipe the skin dry in the fold, since the moisture will cool