When a child appears in the house, the parents pay special attention to the state of his health and carefully monitor his body temperature.
What is the normal temperature of babies?
In the newborn period and the child before reaching the age of one year, body temperature can normally reach a mark of 37.4 degrees when measured in the armpits. This is due to the imperfection of the thermoregulation of the child's body, which is established during the first year of life. Therefore, often in a nursing child, the temperature is somewhat higher than the usual temperature of 36, 6.
However, each child is individual and the temperature of each infants can be different. If the child is active, healthy, well-eating and does not experience any discomfort, but the parents measure his temperature and see a mark of 37 degrees, then there is no cause for concern. As well as a slight decrease in temperature (for example, up to an indicator of 35.7 degrees) may indicate the specific development of a particular baby. However, it is important not to measure body temperature once, but to perform these manipulations for several days to determine the average temperature for your own child.
How to measure the temperature of the baby?
At present, there is a huge variety of thermometers, but mercury thermometers give the greatest accuracy. But it should be remembered that their use requires the observance of safety measures, because when it is damaged, mercury vapor can adversely affect the child's body.
The most secure are electronic thermometers, which allow you to determine the actual level of body temperature of the baby in a matter of seconds. Therefore, they are particularly easy to use to measure body temperature in an infant. Rectal temperature in the baby can also be measured by means of an electronic thermometer. Since it has a soft tip and the measurement time is a few seconds, this way of obtaining information about the temperature of the child can minimize discomfort during the procedure.
The baby has a high fever
In the presence of almost any disease in a child, a rise in body temperature is most often noted. It can also be the result of overheating, teething, as a reaction to vaccination, and also if the baby's body is dehydrated. If the child has risen to a temperature of 38.5 degrees. But at the same time he feels well, eats and is active, it is possible to alleviate his condition by wrapping it in a wet diaper, rather than resorting to the use of medicines.
If, over time, there is an increase in temperature and a general deterioration in the condition of the baby, then you can give him some kind of antipyretic (eg, panadol, nurofen , suppositories wiferon ). Parents should remember that in no case should you give a small child an aspirin or analgin, since their administration can lead to serious neurologic complications.
The baby has a low fever
If the baby has a low body temperature (below 36.6 degrees),
A small child is just beginning to adapt to environmental conditions and the temperature can be a response to such adaptation to external conditions. Do not immediately run to the doctor or call an ambulance with a slight deviation of the temperature of the baby from the standard 36.6. It is necessary to observe his condition for a while and in case of deterioration of the state of health of the baby already resort to medical care.