How often should I take my baby's temperature when he has a fever? How should I take my baby's temperature when he has a fever?

Babies have poor body resistance and can be easily attacked by colds. Many babies always have fever when they catch a cold. At this time, mothers are very anxious and hope that the body temperature will drop quickly. How often should you measure the body temperature of a baby with a fever? How to measure the body temperature of a baby with a fever?

How often should you take your baby's temperature when he has a fever?

Below 38°C: once every 4 hours

Generally speaking, if the baby only has a low fever, below 38℃, and still eats and plays as usual without obvious discomfort, then you can measure his temperature every 4 hours. It is recommended to monitor him at 7 am, 2 pm, 6 pm and before bed. Measuring too frequently will affect the baby's rest.

Above 38℃: measure every 2 hours

When the baby's temperature exceeds 38℃, it is recommended to monitor the temperature every 2 hours to prevent the condition from getting worse, and monitoring the temperature is helpful for observing the condition. If the child's mental state is abnormal (whether it is restless or listless) or the appetite is reduced, the temperature should be measured again, once an hour. If the baby's fever exceeds 39℃, it is best to measure it every half an hour. After the temperature returns to normal, the temperature should still be measured once a day for at least 3 days.

After physical cooling: measure once every half an hour

Physical cooling is the use of local or whole-body low-temperature conduction and evaporation to lower body temperature. Generally, when the fever is below 38.5℃, physical cooling is the first choice, such as cold compresses, warm water baths, alcohol baths, etc. Body temperature should be monitored and recorded after half an hour of physical cooling, and then repeated after 1 hour of rest until the body temperature returns to normal.

After taking antipyretics: test once every hour

Generally, when a baby has a fever over 38.5℃, it is recommended to take medicine under the guidance of a doctor. The average time for antipyretic medicine to take effect is about 1 hour after taking the medicine, so the baby's body temperature should be monitored 1 hour after taking the antipyretic medicine to help judge the efficacy of the medicine. If the baby has a repeated fever, he should go to the hospital for treatment to avoid accidents.

How to measure the baby's temperature when he has a fever

Axillary thermometry

Measurement method: first shake the mercury column to below 35℃, place the mercury tip in the middle of the armpit, and clamp the thermometer with your arm. If there is sweat under the armpit, wipe it dry, and take out the thermometer after 5 minutes to check. Axillary temperature range: 36.0℃-37.4℃.

Oral thermometry

Measurement method: Disinfect the oral thermometer before measuring the temperature, and place the mercury end obliquely under the tongue. Let the child relax, close the mouth and breathe through the nose, be careful not to bite the thermometer with teeth, and do not talk. Take it out after 3 minutes and check the reading. Oral temperature range: 36.7℃-37.7℃.

Rectal temperature measurement method

To measure rectal temperature, use a rectal thermometer. First, shake the mercury column to below 35℃. Apply a little paraffin oil or cooking oil on the tip of the rectal thermometer. Let the child lie on his/her knees and gently insert the thermometer 2-2.5cm from the anus. Take it out after 3 minutes, wipe it clean with a tissue, and check the temperature.

Rectal temperature range: 36.9℃-37.9℃.

Neck temperature measurement method

When the child is asleep, place the thermometer under the neck, close to the skin, and clamp it gently. If there is sweat, wipe it off first, and check the temperature after 5 minutes. The temperature range of the neck is 36.7℃-37.7℃.

Infrared temperature measurement method

Using infrared temperature sensing technology, the body temperature can be quickly measured without contact, usually by measuring the ear canal or forehead, which is very convenient to operate. Normal body temperature range: 36.7℃-37.7℃.