How to take baby's temperature

Babies are very difficult to take care of because their resistance is very poor. So if you are not careful, they may catch a cold, and then have a fever. This is a very common situation. However, taking their temperature after they have a fever becomes a problem because they will not be obedient. So how do you take a baby's temperature?

1. Choice of thermometer

There are many thermometers for you to choose from in the medical market today. There are the most commonly used glass mercury column thermometers (including ordinary long thermometers, shorter oral thermometers and rectal thermometers), newly developed electronic thermometers, ear thermometers, and even instant thermometers placed on the forehead, etc.

At present, the ordinary long glass mercury column thermometer is still used in most households because it is cheap and easy to use. But its disadvantage is that it is not accurate enough in measuring body temperature. And because it is made of glass, it is not safe enough for infants and young children. In particular, it contains mercury, which once broken will pollute the indoor environment and cause harm to children. In Western countries, this type of thermometer has been gradually phased out.

The ear thermometer is mainly used to measure the temperature inside the ear close to the eardrum. It is quick to read and easy to use. But its drawback is that it is sometimes not accurate enough, especially for the body temperature of infants and young children, and often gives wrong readings. Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not using ear thermometers for babies under 3 months old.

There is also a simple thermometer that is placed on the forehead to measure temperature, which is a must-have item in many families. But it is mainly used to quickly determine whether the person being measured has a fever, but cannot measure the exact temperature. Also, because children's body temperature is usually one to two degrees higher than adults, misjudgment can sometimes occur. Therefore, other methods are still needed to achieve accurate measurement.

There are now some new electronic thermometers on the market that use high technology, are safer and provide more accurate measurements. There are many types and shapes of thermometers, including those for measuring oral temperature, rectal temperature, submerged temperature and ear temperature, with all functions covered. However, due to its high price, many people are discouraged.

However, no matter what kind of thermometer you use, you should avoid measuring your child's temperature immediately after eating, exercising, taking a bath, or crying for a long time, as these may cause the child's temperature to be high. It should be done after 30 minutes and when the child is relatively quiet.

2. Usage

1. Oral table

Disinfect the oral surface before measuring the temperature and place the mercury tip obliquely under the tongue. Let your child relax, breathe through his nose with his mouth closed, do not bite the thermometer with his teeth, and do not talk. Take it out after 3 minutes and check the readings clearly. However, please note that you should avoid eating, drinking, or applying hot or cold compresses to the face.

Measurement can only be performed after an interval of 30 minutes. Infants and young children under 4 to 5 years old have poor self-control, so it is best not to use oral tablets to prevent accidents. In addition, people with cough, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, mental abnormalities, coma, oral diseases, oral and nasal surgery, or those who are unable to cooperate should not use oral temperature measurement. It can only be used by older children who are otherwise normal.

(ii) Anal table

It is best to use a rectal temperature monitor for children because it can most accurately measure their body temperature. Let the child lie on his side or back with his knees bent, or lie on your knees to expose his buttocks. Lubricate the mercury end of the rectal gauge with oil and gently insert it about 3 cm. You or the nurse must hold one end to fix it and hold the child tightly to prevent the hips from twisting and causing the gauge column to break or enter the rectum, causing an accident. Take it out after 3 minutes, wipe the rectal table and the patient's anus, check the degree clearly and make a record. However, please note that rectal temperature measurement should be done 30 minutes after hot water sitz bath or enema. If the child has rectal disease or is undergoing surgery, diarrhea, or myocardial infarction, it is not advisable to measure the temperature rectly.

In the article, we have learned how to measure the temperature of our baby. Because the baby is too small, it is best to use a rectal temperature meter. This way, you can accurately measure your baby's temperature. It is also very convenient and will not make your baby feel uncomfortable.