ABOUT TEMPERATURE OF BABY FEVER
If our baby have sick and get fever, we should have to know about our baby's
temperature. Even one of sign when our baby ill is fever, sometime baby's temperature
could be drop rather than rise when the baby is sick.
There are three ways to take a temperature:
- Axillary (armpit) - takes 3-4 minutes to register. This method may be used
in babies under 6 months or children up to 4 years.
- Rectal (in the bottom) - takes 2-3 minutes to register. This method may
be used in children over 6 months and less than 6 years.
- Oral (mouth) - takes 2-3 minutes to register. Child should be cooperative
and over 4 years old to use this method.
Take the temperature when your baby is quiet if possible. (This could be difficult.)
Body temperature varies depending on the amount of activity, emotional stress,
type of clothing worn, and temperature of the environment. When reporting fever,
always tell the doctor the exact thermometer reading and where the temperature
was taken. We recommend using the axillary (armpit) temperature on babies less
than 6 months of age. The advantage of the digital thermometer is that you don't
have to shake down mercury which is inside older thermometers, and the digital
is non-breakable and easy to read.
Taking an Axillary Temperature (Put The Thermometer Under Arm):
Use any thermometer. Hold the thermometer snugly in the armpit, making sure
the bulb is completely covered between your baby's arm and side. Hold the thermometer
there for 3-4 minutes. (If digital, as we recommend, you hear the beeping of
the thermometer.) Remove from under the arm and read the thermometer. When reporting
your baby's temperature, tell the nurse or doctor that it was an axillary temperature.
Axillary temperatures are slightly lower than rectal or oral temperatures.
Care of Thermometer:
Draw thermometer through soapy cotton ball or tissue. Rinse in cool water. Store
in a safe place, out of the reach of children.
WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL THE DOCTOR?
- Your baby under 3 months of age has a fever over 100.4 degrees F.
- Your premature baby has a fever over 100.4 degrees F.
- Baby has symptoms such as irritability (crying or fussy), poor feeding,
floppy or listless, breathing is difficult, coughing, or does not look good.
- Temperature is less than 97 degrees F.
- If your baby feels hot to touch and you are unable to read a thermometer.
- Fever is present for more than 3 days.
- Fever with abnormal movements.
Remember, a fever is a temperature over 99 degrees F. A normal temperature
is in the 98 degrees F area.
How to Treating Baby Fever?
If your baby is less than 6 months of age and has a fever, call your baby's
doctor before giving medications such as Tylenol, Tempera, Liquiprin, or Panadol.
KEEP ALL MEDICINE OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. Overdoses
can cause death. Give the correct dosage for your baby's weight or age every
4-6 hours. Do not use medicine for more than 3 days without talking with the
doctor. Children should not be given aspirin. Several studies link aspirin use
in children with Reye's Syndrome - a severe illness that often is fatal.
(by Southwest Washington Medical Center, Baby.Topresource.NET reference)
HOME ARCHIVES
