taking temps

myst33 · April 2011

I thought lo felt warm so I took his underarm temp and it was 98.1. I know you're supposed to add a degree so does that mean he has a low grade fever? His pedi wants us to take a rectal temp but honestly that makes me very nervous. I heard that the underarm temp isn't very reliable so should I try to take it rectally?

MissYouDietCoke · April 2011

Do the rectal temp. it's not that bad. And LO won't remember that you've done it. (Just have a diaper nearby) Also, our digital thermometer was about 1.5 degrees too high compared with the hospital thermometers. We've since purchased a non-digital thermometer.

LifetimeOfLove · April 2011

This may sound crazy but this is what I did. A few weeks ago I was in the same situation. The underarm temp was 98.5 and was always 97.4 or so in the hospital. I went to the store and bought the ear thermometer. I took my temp with it and then used my normal thermometer that I use for myself to test my temp to see the difference. It was a 1/2 degree difference. I then took LO's temp with the ear thermometer. I know it isn't as accurate as the rectal but I just couldn't do it. If he clearly had a temp, I would have done rectal so I could call the doctor but it wasn't too high so I didn't do it. I know, I'm crazy. Embarrassed

optimist13 · April 2011

the one time i took a rectal temp i was rewarded with a squirt of poop, so beware! it's not that bad, i would hold the thermometer about 1/4-1/2 inch from the end so that even if they wiggle it cant accidently go in any farther. good luck!

myst33 · April 2011

So I tried it and i got a temp of 97.1 so I must be doing something wrong, right? I tried underarm right before that and got 98. It's the vicks rectal thermometer. He doesnt feel hot now either.

optimist13 · April 2011

if they have too many wraps on they can overheat. maybe hees cooler just bc you unwrapped him to take the temp?

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