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.
###
"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).
Below are some products and methods that other mothers have found helpful to calm an upset baby.
“What am I doing wrong?” is a common question parents ask themselves when their baby won’t stop crying. No one is prepared for months of non-stop screaming. No one believes that there’s nothing they can do. No parent ever accepts the fact that some babies are just plain miserable during their first several months of life. For this reason, parents of colicky babies often blame themselves. They think they are doing something wrong because their baby doesn’t want to be held or cuddled or sung to or rocked. They think they are doing something wrong because this pattern wears them down and they start—dare we say it out loud?—hating the baby they love.