Most parents know by the look of their baby or the feel of his forehead whether or not he has a fever or raised temperature. However, it is useful to have a thermometer at home.
If you phone your doctor, he may ask you what your sick baby’s temperature is. And if your baby is prone to febrile convulsions*, you will need to know at what temperature you should start tepid sponging him, and when to stop.
Do not take a baby’s temperature by the rectal method. Instead, either use a strip thermometer on his forehead, or a stick thermometer under his arm.
Avoid using glass thermometers for babies. Instead choose one of the following:
Plastic strip thermometer This is simply held against your baby’s forehead for 15 seconds, until it changes colour to indicate the temperature. These strips are safe, quick and inexpensive. They are recommended by health professionals for use at home, and give a fairly accurate indication of your baby’s temperature. However, they can be easily misread if you lose the instructions. Not as precise as a digital stick thermometer.
Battery-operated, digital stick thermometer This is a plastic thermometer that is safe, accurate and easy to read, but a bit more expensive than a strip. This type has to be held under the arm until it ‘beeps’.
Ear thermometer This is placed in the baby’s ear and gives a digital reading after a few seconds. It is quick and accurate, but expensive.
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