How to Measure Baby Body Temperature
As a parent, it is important for you to know how to measure baby body temperature. The goal is to know the normal body temperature of the baby and if your baby's body temperature rises or has a fever, you can quickly notice it. That way, this can help you to do the handling quickly.
Measuring the baby's body temperature accurately is important to understand. In addition to knowing the baby's body temperature, this is also knowledge for you so you don't misinterpret the baby's body condition. For example, when the baby's body feels hot, this does not necessarily indicate that the baby has a fever. To be sure, it is necessary to measure body temperature using a thermometer.
Normal Baby Body Temperature Range
A normal baby's body temperature ranges from 36.5 to 37 degrees Celsius. A baby can be said to have a fever when his body temperature rises to more than 37.2 degrees Celsius if measured from the armpit (axillary temperature), more than 37.5 degrees Celsius if the temperature is measured from the mouth (oral temperature), and more than 38 degrees Celsius if measured from the rectum (rectal temperature).
Actually, when a baby has a fever or has an increase in body temperature, it is a symptom that arises as a result of the immune system's reaction against a disease or cause of infection such as bacteria or viruses.
In addition, an increase in the baby's body temperature can also occur because the baby is teething, the baby is wearing clothes that are too thick, and the surrounding environment is hot.
Also read articles about: How to Reduce Fever in Baby At Home
In addition to the increased body temperature of the baby, the decrease in the baby's body temperature also needs to be watched out for if the temperature is less than 35 degrees Celsius. This condition known as hypothermia can occur due to exposure to cold environmental temperatures, wearing wet clothes, being immersed in cold water or fatigue.
How to Check Baby Body Temperature
Most people check the baby's body temperature by touching the baby's forehead, cheeks, stomach, and back. However, to know the exact temperature of the baby, a thermometer is needed as a body temperature measurement tool. Usually the recommended thermometer for babies and children is a digital thermometer. This is because mercury thermometers have packaging that is prone to breakage because they are made of glass.
There are several types of thermometers that can be used, some are placed in the armpit, mouth, ear, or placed on the forehead. However, the rectal thermometer is considered the most accurate and easy to use thermometer for babies.
Make sure before and after measuring the temperature using a thermometer, the thermometer is clean. The goal is to keep the thermometer clean of dirt and germs that pose a risk of spreading disease. Well, how to check baby body temperature with thermometer is as follows:
1 How to Measure Body Temperature in Armpit
When you take the baby's temperature from the armpit, make sure the tip of the thermometer touches the skin of the armpit and is not obstructed by clothing. Position your baby in a hug as comfortable as possible. Maintain the position of the thermometer in the crush of the baby's armpit, until the thermometer sign sounds as a sign that the measurement has been completed and then see the results.
2. How to Measure Body Temperature in Mouth
If you want to take the baby's temperature by mouth, make sure the temperature is not taken immediately after your baby eats or drinks. We recommend that you give a gap of about 15 minutes after your baby drinks milk or consumes complementary foods.
The measurement method is to turn on the digital thermometer, then place the tip of the thermometer under the baby's tongue, with the lips closed. Hold the thermometer in position until the thermometer beeps as a sign that the temperature has been measured. Then pull out the thermometer and see the result.
3. How to Measure Rectal Body Temperature
Position the baby in a prone position when you want to take the rectal temperature. After that, apply a little petroleum jelly on the tip of the thermometer and insert the thermometer about 2 cm into the baby's rectum. Wait a few moments for the thermometer to sound to indicate that the measurement has been completed. Pull out the thermometer to see the results.
Take your baby to the doctor if:
- Have a fever with a body temperature of more than 38 degrees Celsius when the baby is less than 3 months old.
- Have a fever with a body temperature of more than 39 degrees Celsius when the baby or child is 3-36 months old.
- Has a fever for more than 3 days when the baby or child is 3-36 months old.
- Fever comes and goes or recurs for 7 days or more.
- Fever is accompanied by a rash on the skin, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, stiffness in the neck, vomiting and the baby's crown looks protruding or sunken.
In addition you are also advised to take your baby to the doctor if your baby's body temperature drops to 35 degrees Celsius or below, while making efforts to warm your baby's body.
As a parent, it is important to know how to measure baby body temperature so that they can respond quickly when there is a change in body temperature that needs to be watched out for. If you are worried about changes in body temperature that occur in your baby, do not hesitate to immediately consult a pediatrician.
