Is my rectal therm broken?

orangegoggles

I tried taking my LO's temp because he's been awfully fussy and feels warm to the touch. When I took the temp I keep getting between 96-97 degrees. Now I know the rectal temp should be about 1 degree higher so I'm assuming its malfunctioning? 

hopefulmom81

DD has felt hot to the touch and her temp has been fine before.  Not sure if it is malfunctioning or not.  Do you only have the rectal therm?  Can you try taking armpit?

orangegoggles

Thanks ladies. I am just assuming its broken based the fact that rectal thermometers are 1 degree higher so even without a fever it should be at 98 to 99. I couldn't find our other thermometer anywhere before LO finally went down. Just found it though so I'll try again when he wakes.

JulyMomma2U2

pangnl79:

Thanks ladies. I am just assuming its broken based the fact that rectal thermometers are 1 degree higher so even without a fever it should be at 98 to 99. I couldn't find our other thermometer anywhere before LO finally went down. Just found it though so I'll try again when he wakes.

Babies temps can often run low.  When DS is fever free, rectally he usually measures around 97-98.  Under the arm, often 96-97!  He even measured that low under the arm in the NICU, but the nurses assured me it was nothing to worry about -- babies temps can vary a lot the first year.  That's why they often say a fever for a baby is anything over 100.. because, some babies "normal" is in the 99 range.

I would, however, suggest as PPs said and take it with a different thermometer.  When DS was younger there were 2 instances where he was running a fever for like a week straight.. my therm was always saying over 100, but whenever I took him to the ped, they'd get like 97-98 (rectally).. it was so strange how "off" their thermometer was!! I was even taking it with 2 different thermometers!  The one time I even brought my thermometers wiht me to the Dr. and after they temped him (at 99), I temped him right after at over 101!  Makes it really hard to gauge!

orangegoggles

JulyMomma2U2:

pangnl79:

Thanks ladies. I am just assuming its broken based the fact that rectal thermometers are 1 degree higher so even without a fever it should be at 98 to 99. I couldn't find our other thermometer anywhere before LO finally went down. Just found it though so I'll try again when he wakes.

Babies temps can often run low.  When DS is fever free, rectally he usually measures around 97-98.  Under the arm, often 96-97!  He even measured that low under the arm in the NICU, but the nurses assured me it was nothing to worry about -- babies temps can vary a lot the first year.  That's why they often say a fever for a baby is anything over 100.. because, some babies "normal" is in the 99 range.

I would, however, suggest as PPs said and take it with a different thermometer.  When DS was younger there were 2 instances where he was running a fever for like a week straight.. my therm was always saying over 100, but whenever I took him to the ped, they'd get like 97-98 (rectally).. it was so strange how "off" their thermometer was!! I was even taking it with 2 different thermometers!  The one time I even brought my thermometers wiht me to the Dr. and after they temped him (at 99), I temped him right after at over 101!  Makes it really hard to gauge!

That is really good to know! I just assumed if it read that low something must be wrong with especially because I was doing in rectally. I feel like you need to have 3 different thermometers going at once, geez!

Btw- I rechecked and he doesn't have a fever (at least I hope not, who knows with the differences between the two!)