Temperature is an excellent indicator of thermoregulation. Unlike an adult, an infant develops these skills only after a few months. For this reason, the child cannot regulate his temperature and is very sensitive to degree fluctuations in the environment. This feature of the body of the newborn contributes to rapid overheating or hypothermia.
Due to the imperfection of thermoregulation, the baby feels the first weeks after birth. Thus, his body adapts to life outside his mother. The rise can be up to 39 degrees. Closer to three months, the temperature regime is adjusted, the body determines its individual schedule.
To understand if the baby has a normal temperature, you need to measure it in advance then, when the baby is healthy and awake. Be sure to do this in the afternoon, and the child must first undress.
How to understand that the baby temperature
There are characteristic signs:
- the baby sweats profusely, while the room is not hot;
- drinks a lot;
- dry lips and tongue;
- frequent breathing and pulse;
- blush on cheeks;
- red manhole;
- shivering.
Why temperature may rise
If a baby 3 months old has a temperature of 37.3, this is due to various factors:
- Overheat. As noted earlier, thermoregulation of infants is unstable. The reaction to too warm clothes, heat in the room or constant wearing of a diaper can be in the form of an increase in temperature without any manifestations of a cold.
- Lack of fluid in the body.
- Gastrointestinal Disorder.
- Active activity. The temperature increase in this case is justified by the fact that with the baby they can begin to do gymnastics, swimming and other procedures.
- If the baby cries for a long time and often.
- Teeth cut through
- An overabundance of impressions. When the baby is taken on a trip, on holidays with a lot of people or just in unfamiliar places. In this case, the temperature in a child of 3 months at 37.5 is a response to an overabundance of emotions.
What diseases can cause temperature
More obvious reasons when an infant has a fever, in most cases due to illness:
- various SARS;
- measles, rubella, etc.
- bowel problems;
- inflammation of the airways, lungs, or kidneys;
- disturbances in the nervous system.
How to measure
There are several ways to measure a baby’s temperature. The most common methods are rectally, orally and armpits.
It should be remembered that in different parts of the body the temperature will be different. Rectal is highest, oral and underarms - 2-3 degrees lower.
Armpit:
- surely the baby must be calm;
- armpit, in which they will measure the temperature, wipe dry;
- Before you put the thermometer, you need to warm its tip in your hand;
- the tip of the thermometer should be completely hidden in the armpit in the cavity;
- to press the child’s hand to his body and hold him in this position for about 10 minutes.
Rectal method:
- reassure the child if he cries;
- put him on his lap;
- holding the baby, spread the legs on the sides;
- lubricate the thermometer (electronic is needed), as well as the anal passage with cream and introduce a thermometer;
- in this position, holding the child, you need to stay a few minutes.
Orally:
- as with the rectal method, an electronic thermometer is needed;
- it is necessary to introduce it under the tongue of the baby;
- in this position you need to hold both the child and the thermometer.
What to do
The temperature that has arisen for other reasons, such as lack of water, overheating, long crying, requires in this case only the elimination of the cause.
When the baby overheats, it is necessary to drink and remove all the clothes. With severe stress or prolonged crying, the child must be calmed, given water, or put to the chest. For these reasons, an increase in temperature is not a threat.
You must immediately call a doctor if the baby shows the following symptoms:
- in addition to temperature, convulsions appeared, while you can see how the body is very tense and the baby's legs twitch periodically;
- breathing is too frequent and noisy;
- in addition to temperature, the nose is also stuffy;
- when you exhale, wheezing is heard in the chest area;
- the baby cries without ceasing;
- no reaction to irritants;
- baby vomiting, upset stool;
- the child does not go to the toilet or the color of his urine is cloudy, unusual;
- there are rashes or red spots on the skin;
- the child does not want to eat more than 7 hours;
- previously prescribed medications give a short-term effect, the temperature rises again.
It is possible to bring down the temperature of a 37.2-year-old baby in 3 months, both with medicines and alternative methods. Namely:
- periodically wipe with a towel dipped in warm water;
- with the same frequency they wrap a diaper soaked in warm water, and then remove and replace it with a new one;
- a napkin dipped in cool water is applied to the forehead.
Medications to lower the temperature of 37.4 in a 3-month-old baby should be used only as directed by a doctor. Depending on the specific case, antipyretic drugs are prescribed, containing paracetamol or antibiotics.
Caring for a baby during temperature
Not many people know what to do with a baby at 3 months old at a temperature of 37.3. Recommended:
- Provide ventilation of the room in which the baby sleeps (while, of course, there should be no child). The optimal room temperature is 19–20 degrees.
- Use a humidifier (if any).
- Do not put plastic wrap under the mattress, as this will only increase the temperature of the crumbs.
- The child should be dressed lightly, additional clothing can also trigger an increase in temperature.
- For lack of ability to ventilate the room, you need to remove the diaper from the baby.
- During treatment, the baby can often give up breasts or eat too little. It's quite normal. It is worth worrying if the baby does not want to eat at all.
- Be sure to give a little water. Every 10-15 minutes, drink a teaspoon.
- If the child falls asleep, do not wake him. An exception is the baby’s heavy breathing, wheezing, or cramping.
Note to parents
When the child has a temperature of 3 months 37.3, this is a significant cause for concern for parents.
It should be remembered that all the deterioration and improvement in the body of crumbs occur more rapidly than in adults. Temperature 37 should not be a reason for panic if the child eats normally, breathes without hoarseness and sleeps a lot. So, over time, it normalizes and there is nothing to worry about.
If a child at 3 months has a temperature of 37.3 or more for a long time, then you need to consult a pediatrician, since the baby needs round-the-clock attention and supervision.
If the child is very lethargic, practically does not eat and sleeps poorly, you need to immediately go to the hospital or call an ambulance. It is strictly forbidden to give medications independently, especially if the baby's condition is serious.