The Everything Baby's First Year Book by Tekla S Nee

Author:Tekla S Nee
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Adams Media
Published: 2002-02-14T16:00:00+00:00

Fever Basics

“Does she have a fever?” That is one of the first questions you'll be asked whenever you call your doctor with a question about a sick baby — and it will soon be one of the first questions you'll ask yourself. Eventually, you'll learn to make a pretty accurate estimate of your child's temperature by touching your lips or cheek to her forehead. But you'll still need to know some numbers.

Thermometers

Be sure you have a glass thermometer, a digital thermometer, a disposable strip thermometer, or an ear thermometer. You can take a baby's temperature rectally, under his arm (axillary), or by reading the heat off of his eardrum (tympanic). You can't, however, take his temperature orally; holding the thermometer under his tongue would be uncomfortable and he might gag or choke. If you use a glass thermometer, your baby might bite off the end.

I'm a fan of digital thermometers. They cost about $5, have flexible rubber tips, and beep when they are done. I find glass thermometers hard to read and worry (probably needlessly) about breakage. Disposable strips aren't very accurate. Ear thermometers are expensive (about $60) and are not considered reliable for use in babies under six months of age, because their ear canals are so small it's hard to get accurate readings from the eardrum. But they can be a plus for older babies because they work fast (insert the thermometer into your baby's ear while you open the ear canal by pulling on the earlobe, press the button, and wait for the quick beep). You can increase your accuracy by taking multiple readings and using the highest one.

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