Newly made parents, especially if they have a first child, can look after it too hard, constantly inspecting and checking to see if everything is okay with the baby. This is a normal situation, but such zeal can lead to the fact that, not wanting it, parents can begin to look for various diseases in the child, constantly disturbing the local pediatrician for no reason. To avoid such situations, it is necessary during pregnancy to get acquainted with various recommendations for caring for a newborn, as well as to understand various trifles, such as, for example, what temperature a baby should have.
Newborns and Infants
In newborn babies, the whole body functions at first in its own way, having not yet fully adapted to life “from above”. Therefore, it is premature to understand for yourself
what temperature a newborn baby
should have in order not to get scared and run around with doctors with a baby. Immediately after birth and for several days (up to one week), the baby's body temperature can range from 37-37.4 degrees. And this is completely normal, because it is difficult for such a short period of time to adapt to a new, external environment. And a week later a constant temperature is established in the child, which can be in the range of 36.2-37 degrees, depending on the baby’s body. It is also better to know in advance what temperature a
month-old baby should have
. It can fluctuate in the same framework - 36.2-37 degrees and be absolutely normal and comfortable for the baby.
How to measure the temperature of the baby
Today, there are three ways to measure and determine what temperature a baby should have. First of all, the measurement can be carried out in the classical way - in the armpit of the baby. But getting the result with this method can be a difficult task, because the baby is unlikely to lie quietly for three minutes. An alternative method can be to
measure the body temperature rectally, i.e. in the rectum of the child. This method is faster, takes an average of 30 seconds (when using an
electronic thermometer), this period of time you can keep the child in a calm state. You can also measure the temperature of the baby in the inguinal fold. Measure the
temperature in the baby’s
mouth only with a dummy thermometer.
Measurement results
When using different methods of measuring temperature in the same child, completely different results can be obtained. Why is this happening? Before measuring body temperature, you need to familiarize yourself with how to properly decipher the indicators and what temperature should be in an infant with a particular measurement method. For example, rectal temperature is on average one degree higher than in the armpit and half a degree higher than that obtained after measurements in the mouth.
Dangerous temperature
Knowing what temperature should be in a baby, you need to familiarize yourself with its upper, dangerous value. So, for example, it is impossible to bring down the temperature of an infant with antipyretic drugs up to 38.5 degrees. Of course, if the child behaves normally. If the temperature is above this point, you need to consult a doctor for advice. It must also be remembered that if the temperature has exceeded the division of 39 degrees, the baby may begin to cramp.