ACING A BABIES TEMPERATURE

Babies and Temperatures

A normal temperature is around 37ºC. A fever (a temperature higher than this) shows that the body is fighting an infection. It’s not an illness in itself, but an important symptom. Because they have little resistance to infection, a baby under two months with a raised temperature should be seen by a doctor immediately. You may decide to wait a little longer to see if more signs and symptoms develop before going to the doctor with an older baby who is in no distress and who is otherwise feeding, sleeping and behaving normally. Don’t ignore the fever, but look for other clues to determine if your child is seriously ill. You can measure a temperature inside the mouth, under the arm, in the outer ear canal or rectally. What kind of thermometer you use depends on the age of your child: • Digital thermometers can be used at any age from birth. They are easy to read and accurate, and are usually the cheapest. Place it in your child’s armpit; a beep will sound when it has finished taking the temperature. • Ear thermometers are more expensive. When placing the probe into the ear, be careful not to push it too far into the ear canal. Be gentle; place it just at the entrance. Ear thermometers are not generally recommended for use in young babies. • Plastic strip thermometers use plastic strips placed on the baby’s forehead to read temperature. Although easy to use, they do not give as accurate a reading as a digital thermometer. • Some homes still have Mercury thermometers, which are put under the armpit for three minutes. These are old-style thermometers and potentially dangerous, as mercury vapor can be toxic if the thermometer breaks. If you have one, do consider replacing it. .

To cool down a feverish baby or child:

• Remove heavy blankets or clothing and cover with a light sheet only • Sponge the child with lukewarm water (not cold) • Open windows or increase circulation of air in the room with a fan • Give a dose of paracetamol • Give plenty of fluids. Older children might like a lemonade ice block