How Do I Know If My Baby Has A Fever?

June 27th, 2009

When Baby Has a Fever Babies who don’t feel good tend to be fussier than usual. They may refuse to eat, they may sleep more, they want to be held all the time, they may pull or rub on one or both ears. They may look flushed or puffy around the eyes.

You can “test” your baby’s temperature using Mother’s Method, but to know how high the fever is, you will need a thermometer.

Mother’s Method for Checking Baby’s Temperature

Moms throughout the ages have used this method to help them decide whether they need to get out the thermometer.

Start by placing your hand (palm toward baby) first across baby’s forehead, then on her cheek. If her skin doesn’t feel particularly warm to the touch, then your baby probably does not have a fever, or the fever is not high enough to be too concerned about yet, and you can safely stop your test at this point. On the other hand, if you’re not really sure if you need the thermometer, then move on to the next step.

The above step can be a little tricky because, if your hand is colder than normal, you may get a false result. Baby may feel quite hot to the touch, but it’s only because your hand is too cold. Similarly, if your hand is warmer than normal, such as when you emerge from a hot bath, baby may not feel at all hot to the touch, although she may have a low-grade fever. Likewise, if your baby has been very active, her skin could be warmer due to the activity and not a fever. If this happens, wait until you and baby return to a normal skin temperature—usually just a few minutes—and test again. If you don’t feel like waiting, then move on to the next step.

Next, use your lips. Your lips are usually more sensitive to temperatures than your hand, so this method works well when the previous step is inconclusive. Softly place your lips against baby’s forehead. If her skin feels warm against your lips, then she likely has a fever in excess of 100 degrees F. (On a personal note, I always give my kids a soft kiss while I’m performing this test. It’s one of the perks of being “Nurse Mom.” J)

If your baby feels hot using Mother’s Method, then it’s time for the thermometer.

Using a Thermometer to Determine Baby’s Temperature

You can use either a glass thermometer (standard) or a digital thermometer. The most accurate place on baby’s body is his rectum; the next most accurate is his armpit. Normal infant rectal temperatures range between 97 and 100 degrees. There are thermometers available for inside the ear as well, but I have heard that this location can give inaccurate results. It’s up to you, however, because you’re the parent.

According to PubMed Central, a ditigal archive with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), rectal temperatures are the only accurate way to determine baby’s temperature. More about “Axillary [armpit] and rectal temperature measurements in infants.”

I have taken my baby’s temperatures both rectally and in the armpit. Both ways have their weaknesses, which I will address briefly.

To take baby’s temperature rectally, you must remove baby’s diaper. As you can imagine, a baby without a diaper leaves you vulnerable to certain “attacks.” So be prepared by placing a cloth or diaper over the baby at “ground zero” to minimize any squirts or leakage. If you decide to hold your baby on your lap while taking his temperature, place a water-proof pad between you and baby as well.

Taking a child’s temperature under his armpit can be a little easier on you and baby in some ways. However, temperature readings may be less accurate and, because babies wriggle and fuss when their arm is being held down, the thermometer has a tendency to slip out of the spot that provides optimum results. Baby may also become frustrated and upset, thus exacerbating the already difficult task. But at least you won’t get wet (or worse!).

How to take baby’s temperature rectally

There are two ways to accomplish this: (a) baby lies on his tummy (preferred position), and you do not lift his legs up, or (b) baby lies on his back, and you pull his legs up in a manner similar to changing a diaper.

Have these items available before you begin:

  • Rubbing alcohol or soap and water
  • Quality rectal thermometer
  • Petroleum jelly or other baby-safe lubricant
  • Tissues
  • Clean diaper
  • Baby wipes
  • Water-proof pad

Using rubbing alcohol or soap and cool water (hot water may break it), clean, rinse, and dry the thermometer thoroughly.

Take an initial reading, to be sure the thermometer shows 96 degrees F or less. If it is too high, shake it down (holding the end opposite the colored bulb) until it drops to the optimum level (unless, of course, you are using a digital thermometer).

Lubricate the bulb end (“probe”) of the thermometer with a small amount of petroleum jelly.

Remove baby’s diaper and clean his rectal area thoroughly with a baby wipe.

Gently spread baby’s buttock cheeks and insert the probe-end of thermometer into baby’s rectum a short distance – about ½ inch for ditigal thermometers or 1 inch for standard thermometers. Stop inserting if it becomes difficult to insert. Never force it.

Carefully cup your hand around baby’s buttocks while hold the thermometer between your fingers to hold in place while awaiting results, even if your baby gets fussy or wriggly. If using a digital thermometer, wait for it to beep. If using a standard thermometer, wait about 3 minutes.

Then remove it to read baby’s temperature.

For standard thermometers, slowly turn the thermometer until you see the colored line. Follow the line to the mark where it ends, and that will be the temperature reading.

Normal rectal temperatures range between 98.06 degrees F to 100 degrees F. If the temperature reads above 100, your child has a fever.

Replace baby’s diaper and thoroughly clean the thermometer with rubbing alcohol or soap and cool water. Keep in a safe place.

How to take baby’s temperature from his armpit

Remember, the U.S. National Institutes of Health says this is not a very accurate method . Having said that, take the following steps if you want to use this method.

Have these items available before you begin:

  • Rubbing alcohol or soap and water
  • Quality thermometer

Remove baby’s upper clothing to expose his arm and armpit.

Holding thermometer at a perpendicular angle to baby’s body, gently lift baby’s arm and place probe end of thermometer in the center of baby’s armpit, then lower baby’s arm around the thermometer.

Continue to gently hold baby’s arm down (surrounding the thermometer) while awaiting results.

If using a digital thermometer, wait for it to beep. If using a standard thermometer, wait about 3-5 minutes.

Then remove it to read baby’s temperature.

For standard thermometers, slowly turn the thermometer until you see the colored line. Follow the line to the mark where it ends, and that will be the temperature reading. Normal armpit temperatures are about 96 degrees to 99 degrees F (about 2 degrees F lower than rectal readings). If the reading is above 99 degrees F, your child has a fever. For example, if your baby’s temperature reads 100.00 degrees F, his actual temperature is about 102 degrees F. He definitely has a fever.

If baby has a fever, contact your health care provider for advice on what to do next.

Remember - thoroughly clean the thermometer with rubbing alcohol or soap and cool water. Keep in a safe place.

I hope this information was helpful. Enjoy your time with your baby – they grow up REALLY fast.

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Posted in Fever | 5 Comments »

Baby Measles – What Is It and How Do You To Treat It?

June 21st, 2009

What Is Baby Measles "Baby measles" is a common phrase for "Roseola," a disease that primarily strikes infants and young children (usually between 3 months and 4 years, but most commonly the age group 6-12 months).

The word Roseola, literally translated, means any rose-colored rash. (See , Dorland’s Medical Dictionary for Healthcare Consumers ).

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Roseola is a virus brought on by the human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). It spreads via airborne droplets from an infected person.

Infected children may not show any symptoms for 5-15 days. You won’t know your child has Roseola until he or she becomes symptomatic after the incubation period.

Common Symptoms:

  • Mild upper respiratory problems
  • High fever
  • Irritability
  • Decreased appetite
  • The fever drops after 3 – 7 days. Then a pinkish-red rash, flat or raised, appears on the child’s trunk. It will then spread to the arms, legs, face, and neck
  • Seizures may also occur – if this happens seek immediate medical attention.

Treatments

While there is no cure for Roseola, it is not dangerous. However, complications from Roseola can develop, especially during the fevering stage. High fevers can cause convulsions (seizures). Some children may experience difficulty breathing.

If you fear that your child’s symptoms are life threatening, you should call your pediatrician right away, or take your baby to the nearest urgent care facility or emergency room to be checked out.

The only symptom requiring treatment is the fever. The rash does not cause any known discomfort to baby. If your child experiences any respiratory symptoms, these are usually very mild and require no specific treatment.

Treatments for fever may include any combination of the following, as suggested by the National Institutes of Health:

  • Fever-reducers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) (however, avoid giving your child aspirin, which has been implicated in the development of Reye’s syndrome)
  • Cool sponge baths to help keep fevers in check
  • Clear fluids to keep the infant hydrated.

Duration

  • The fever may last for 3 to 7 days.
  • The rash comes on at the end of the fevering period and disappears on its own within a few days, along with any respiratory symptoms.

Click here to see a photo of the Roseola rash, from GeorgiaHealthInfo.gov.

Has your child had Roseola?

If so, how did you handle it? Feel free to share your experiences by submitting your comments.

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Posted in Baby's Health, Roseola (Baby Measles) | 4 Comments »

Five Things You Can Do To Protect Your Baby From SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

June 18th, 2009

How to Prevent SIDSBack in the mid-70s, when I was a young working mother of two, I found a wonderful middle-aged woman to be my daycare provider. My children loved her, and I loved her. She was one of those rare individuals who can treat another person’s child as though that child were her own. She cared for only one or two other children during the day, one of whom was a baby girl about 8 months old.

One day when I returned from work to fetch my children, she met me at the door with tear-filled eyes, and told me that her teenage daughter had gone into the room where the infant took naps in a day-crib she had set up and, sensing that something was wrong with the sleeping baby, ran to tell her mother. My wonderful daycare provider found a lifeless baby who had died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. I had never heard of this before and had no clue what it meant. She explained that it is a term used when a child dies in its sleep for no apparent reason. This baby had been napping on her tummy at the time of death.

That was the last time I saw her—she stopped babysitting that day, forever.

According to the American SIDS Institute (http://www.sids.org), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is “the sudden death of an infant under one year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history.”

There are things you can do to minimize the risks of such a heartbreak occurring. Here are five important ways to protect your infant:

  1. Put baby’s bed in your bedroom. Studies have proven that babies are safer when closer to their mothers. Mothers are more likely to sense when something’s wrong if their child is sleeping in the same room.
  2. Don’t co-sleep with your baby. Baby can become buried under pillows or blankets, and may snuggle so closely to you that he cannot breathe freely. Be especially vigilant if you have taken medication that makes you drowsy, and after you have been drinking.
  3. Use a firm crib mattress and remove all blankets, toys, pillows, and other objects from the crib when baby is sleeping. Babies wriggle and can become buried underneath such items making breathing difficult.
  4. Put baby to sleep on her back. Studies have shown that babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to die of SIDS.
  5. Be sure baby is not overheated. Dress your baby as you would dress yourself. Make sure bedtime clothing is not so loose that it “bunches” up around baby’s face while sleeping.

Your infant may be at greater risk of SIDS in any of the following situations:

  • Baby is around tobacco smoke regularly.
  • You are a teen mother. Babies born to young mothers are at a higher risk of SIDS.
  • If you are a teen mother, the more babies you have, the greater the risk of SIDS for those children.
  • You have become pregnant within 1 year of your child’s birth. There is a higher risk of SIDS in families with short intervals between pregnancies.
  • Babies between 8 weeks and 10 weeks of age are at the highest risk of SIDS.

If you, or someone you know, have recently experienced the death of a child, get help to deal with the grief.

Order the brochure Help For Families When An Infant or Young Child Dies provided by The Sudden Unexplained Death In Childhood Program (http://www.sudc.org) “as a service to help both the professionals and families affected by sudden death to communicate effectively and sympathetically to those in need.”

Stay safe and be happy.

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Mother-Tested Methods To Help Colicky Baby

June 14th, 2009

null Below are some products and methods that other mothers have found helpful to calm an upset baby.

Before you read the list, I need to tell you something.

There are NO guarantees that any of the suggestions on this list will work consistently, although some of the ideas may offer temporary relief – occasionally.

Why? Because your baby is changing rapidly during his infancy, hence his problems and solutions are changing too. Certainly, you should continue to look for ways to help your baby feel better. But, please remember:

  • do not get discouraged,
  • do not give up, and
  • do not criticize yourself if you are unable to find a reliable solution for your baby’s discomfort. It’s not your fault. You’re a caring parent, that’s why you’re seeking help for your baby.

OK, so here’s the list:

Gripe Water

Usually administered with an eye-dropper, this product is meant to help with tummy upsets. So if your baby’s colic is related to gastric upset, this could help. Some modern formulas of Gripe Water still contain sodium bicarbonate, while others are made up of strictly herbal oils and homeopathic substances. Most do not contain alcohol, but please read the ingredients on the label, and do your own research to understand how each ingredient affects baby.

A well-known and popular brand of Gripe Water can be purchased online: The Only FDA Regulated Gripe Water for Infant Colic, Gas and Reflux . Check out the testimonials at the website, you’ll be impressed.

Colic Tablets

These tiny, quick-dissolving tablets, made by Hyland’s, contain homeopathic ingredients to help soothe mild gastric distress by dissipating gas, relieving gastric discomfort, and calming upset babies’ nerves. These are available at most grocery stores and health food outlets.

White Noise

Sounds such as a rainstorm, running clothes dryer, vacuum cleaner running in the distance, TV static, babbling brook, womb sounds and heartbeat, etc. can calm some babies. DVDs and white noise machines are available that contain “white noise” sounds to help soothe baby and help her rest.

Ora Jel® (for teething pain)

Ora Jel® is a topical analgesic (pain reliever) that you can rub across baby’s swollen gums to temporarily numb teething discomforts. This product never really worked for me (maybe my kids never had painful gums, who knows). Ora Jel® is only one of many brands of this topical analgesic, easily available at local grocery outlets.

Warm bath

This never worked for me because my kids hated the water! I don’t know why—they just screamed every time they got wet. But, that was then, this is now. Now there are bathing aids that were unavailable several years ago. These include bath rings, bath chairs, baby bathtubs, etc. I recommend you research these products carefully to be sure you are getting a product that is SAFE and easy to use. Also, be sure the water is warm enough to be comfortable for baby.

Low lights, quiet music, and rocking

Although this technique may not always work, I strongly recommend using it on a regular basis. You can add it into baby’s daily routine, especially at nighttime or nap time. Over a period of several weeks—and perhaps not until the colic stage passes—your baby will begin to associate these quiet moments with bedtime or nap time. Believe me when I say that, what you establish today will become a true live-saver in a few years!

Swaddling

My mother used to swaddle my babies when they cried. She didn’t seem to get rattled by the ear-piercing screams, and would wrap them up snuggly and rock them while they wailed. I believe this technique is an important one to try, because many babies will be comforted by this technique. It is helpful if you obtain a specially-designed swaddling blanket, along with some training on how to properly swaddle your baby. A number of websites offer various swaddling supplies. Here’s one that I recommend: An Off-Switch For Your Crying Baby: The Miracle Blanket . The website contains an amazing video clip showing a baby’s reaction before, during, and after swaddling using The Miracle Blanket ®.

Letting baby cry it out

Use this as a last resort. No parent ever wants to sit by and let their baby cry. But sometimes that’s all you can do. This will not make you happy or relieve your baby’s discomfort, but it may save your sanity when you’ve hit a low point. Every pediatrician will tell you that you can safely allow your baby to cry for 10-15 minutes. Of course, this is not something that should become a habit, but consider it as an option when your nerves are so frazzled you just can’t handle it anymore. And, again, don’t feel bad about yourself for doing this. Your baby will never remember that you ignored him for a few minutes today.

Other

If you know of other techniques or products that you believe would be helpful, please share them with other frazzled readers by adding your comments to this website.

We love getting feedback from our visitors.

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Posted in Baby Sleep Problems, Colic | 3 Comments »

Choosing A Car Seat For Baby’s Safety

May 17th, 2009

Do Your Research Before Purchasing An Infant Car Seat

Choose a safe baby car seat The most accurate and up-to-date information about the safety of child car seats can be found through federal, state, and/or local governmental websites. One of my favorites is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”), who keeps a database of defects and recalls on its Child Passenger Safety website. Check the manufacturer’s child restraint recalls database , or click here for additional searches of defaults and recalls , including automobiles, child restraint systems, filing complaints, and investigations information.

Ease-Of-Use Rating System

All child car seats that are rated by the NHTSA meet Federal Safety Standards & strict crash performance standards, but child car seats differ substantially in their ease of use. When you are purchasing a child car seat, it may be helpful to understand the car seat “Ease of Use” ratings provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (the “NHTSA”). This rating system was updated in 2008.

Click here to learn about the NHTSA’s Five-Star Ease-Of-Use rating system . This information will be invaluable when you go out to purchase your infant’s child restraint seat.

Child Seat Fitting Stations Can Help You Install Your Car Seat

Did you know that if you are having trouble installing and using your child car seat, you can go to a nearby Child Seat Fitting Station to get help? It turns out there are fitting stations everywhere, all across the U.S.!

Ever Heard of the LATCH System (“Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children")?

I only recenlty learned about this. Nearly every car seat and most vehicles manufactured since September 1, 2002, are required to have the LATCH system by law.

In too many instances, parents are confused about how to correctly install their child’s seat, don’t know that every seat doesn’t fit in every car, or they don’t realize that their vehicle is equipped with the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system.

Read all about the LATCH system , which also offers videos you can watch demonstrating how to correctly install your infant or child car seat (although I was unable to get the videos to load for me).

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Posted in Safety for Baby | 2 Comments »

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