In children, normal body temperature should range between 36C to 37.5C degree (96.8F to 99.5F degree). A temperature above 38C or 100.4F degree may be a sign of illness. A child’s temperature can shoot up alarmingly quickly when he is ill, but a slightly raised temperature is not a reliable guide to his health. However, sometimes, without being ill, in normal circumstances too your baby’s temperature may rise temporarily, especially if he has been playing actively in hot weather. But if, after having rested for half an hour, his temperature still remains above 38C degrees, he may be ill. So, it’s advisable to feel his forehead with your cheek, not with your hands as this might be misguiding, and if your child’s skin feels warm by comparison, use an appropriate thermometer to take the reading.
Precautions to be taken while taking a child’s temperature:
1. Ensuring the reading is right: For accurate reading of your child’s temperature, never take the reading just after he has taken a bath. Wait for at least 20 minutes for his body temperature to settle down. Similarly, after playing actively in the open sun, do not take the temperature immediately as it might be misleading.
2. Using the appropriate thermometer: Never put a mercury thermometer into a young child’s mouth, since it can break easily. For young children, digital thermometers are the best option as they are simple to use, easy to read and give fast as well as accurate readings. However, the temperature indicator strip is much the easiest way of taking a young child’s temperature, but the reading is less accurate than that of a thermometer.
3. Recording the reading: If your child is unwell, ensure to take his temperature once in the morning when he gets up and again in the evening before dinner. Maintain a record for the same, this will make it easy for the doctor to reason out the cause for the same and the remedies to be opted for. Do not use your imagination or do guesswork where your child’s health is concerned.
4. Reading the temperature: Whichever thermometer you might opt for, be it a mercury glass one or a digital one, if the reading is being taken from under the arm keep in mind that it gives a reading 1 degree F (0.6C) lower than your child’s true temperature, so judge and record the reading accordingly.
5. Digital thermometer handling: The digital thermometer is not breakable as the mercury one and is safe to be put into a young child’s mouth, but be sure that he can hold it correctly under his tongue, or else, place it in his armpit. Also, after use, wash the thermometer, be it the digital one or the mercury one, with cool water and dry it before storing it to make sure that it remains out of your child’s reach. Moreover, if your child records over 39C/102F degree, if the child is below one year, or 39.4C/103F if he is above one, for more than 24 hours then it is alarming enough to call the doctor.
Different kinds of thermometers for measuring baby’s temperature:
1. Rectal thermometer
Why is it used: Rectal thermometers are considered most reliable for children aged upto 3 months as they impart accurate readings on a consistent level, thereby recommended as well as approved by most doctors.
How is it used: Rectal thermometers should be cleaned carefully by rubbing with alcohol or soapy warm water and rinsed again by cool water before inserting the tip for around one inch into the rectal region of the baby with the aid of petroleum gel, which enables easy insertion without being painful for the baby. The best position is to make baby lie tummy down on your lap with his legs dangling around your thigh. Press the ‘on’ button before placing it inside the baby’s rectum and once it starts beeping, retract it to get the exact reading. The use of this kind of thermometer generally stimulates bowel movement of the baby, so be careful to clean the thermometer in the same manner as done initially, before storing it back.
2. Under the arm
Why is it used: This method of taking the baby’s temperature from under his armpit, known as the axillary temperature, is quite common, in spite of the fact that the results acquired are not completely reliable and may vary upto 2 degrees as compared to the previous rectal method, due to the ease and comfort with which it can be recorded, especially when handling small children who cannot afford to take the thermometer into their mouth. Also, a simple digital thermometer, which is readily available, is sufficient to take readings under this system.
How is it used: The baby has to be undressed from above the waist, placed in your lap or made to sit next to you, before using the thermometer. The armpit should be clean and dry and the baby should be let to relax and engaged. The bulb of the thermometer should be held firmly against the arm to ensure that it is in close proximity with the skin. When it starts beeping, remove from armpit to see the result.
3. Ear thermometers
Why is it used: Ear thermometers are opted for use in emergency and urgent care centers where easy and fast readings are required. They are very easy and comfortable, but has to be handled with proper instructions to ensure correct and consistent results. However, they are not advisable to use for babies under 3 months as the sensors cannot surpass their narrow ear canals .
How is it used: Make sure a clean lens filter is in place. Pull the ear back and insert the thermometer until the ear canal is completely blocked. Press the button on top of the instrument for one second, then remove the thermometer and read your child’s temperature.
4. Indicator strips
Why is it used: Again, indicator strips are very easy, quick and convenient to be used on younger children, keeping in mind their fugitive nature. Also, they give accurate readings and are not risky even if it falls in the hands of your baby accidentally.
How to use: Hold the indicator strip on your child’s forehead for about 15 seconds. The highest panel that glows indicates your child’s temperature.
Whatever method you might choose for checking your child’s temperature, the most important thing is to use it as recommended and advised.
