An infant's body temperature is usually lower than an adult's. The baby's temperature regulation is not as good as an adult's, so parents and caregivers need to pay attention not to let their baby get too hot or cold.
Measure the baby's temperature
Although it is possible to recognize the child's temperature change through touch, when there is a newborn in the house, it is best for parents to prepare a thermometer for the baby in the house to be able to accurately monitor . There are many types of thermometers from classic to modern to help you quickly grasp your child's temperature. Mercury thermometers are the most common, inexpensive and highly accurate.
Mercury thermometers are the most common tool for measuring a baby's temperature
The normal temperature for babies is 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius. You can take the temperature in the armpit, anus or in the ear.
-When taking body temperature in the armpit: mother put the thermometer for about 2 minutes, take the result plus 0.5 degrees. For example: the temperature in the armpit is 36.5 degrees C, the baby's temperature is 37 degrees C.
-If taking the temperature in the anus: Mom gently put the thermometer in the anus for 1 minute, the temperature in the anus is the baby's body temperature.
-Take the body temperature in the ear: Mom needs to add 0.3 degrees if measured in this position.
Changes in baby's body temperature
Baby's temperature is very volatile due to the outside environment. Babies can lose heat or increase heat quickly. Especially, if the baby is born prematurely and underweight will not have enough fat layer under the skin to insulate, easily lose heat. Similarly, lung diseases are also susceptible to hypothermia. Heat loss can occur even in summer.
For babies that are warmed too carefully, the opposite situation is easy to happen: babies get hot, increase their body temperature, sweat and become irritable. The body temperature can also rise due to an infection or some medical condition.
Handling abnormal body temperature
It is not difficult for mothers to realize whether their baby is hot or cold. By checking your arms and legs, you will quickly tell if you are cold. When your baby is hot, not only sweat, but red and drier lips than usual is also a clear indicator for mothers to recognize. Depending on each case, mom will give appropriate handling steps.
- If the baby's temperature is lower than 36.5 degrees C, you need to warm up immediately for the baby.
- If the body temperature is higher than 37.5 degrees C, the baby is hot. The mother should put the baby in a cool place, remove the blanket as well as thick clothes, wipe cool, feed the baby more, drink more water if needed and monitor the baby's temperature.
- If the temperature is higher than 38 degrees C, the child has a fever. Mothers need to wipe off immediately and use antipyretic drugs and bring their children to medical examination and treatment soon.
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