Taking temperature

HZ2012 · July 2013

Why can't I do this?! I got SO frustrated this morning after trying 7 or 8 times. My poor boys hiney.

Any tips? I tried with him on his belly b/c I can get a better grip on his tush, but he was way too wiggly. I've tried with him on his back in the past and had no luck. I'm so afraid the thermometer is going to go too far in when he's squirming so much.

kmcd23 · July 2013

I have a Vicks rectal thermometer that you physically can't push too far because of the shape. Maybe that would ease your fears?

mommatotwo2 · July 2013

Yikes! I don't use a rectal thermometer at all. Our pediatrician reccomended the Exergen Temporal Thermometer, he said it's just about as good a "core" temp, which is what a rectal temp is. We used it through DD1 and it's been great and I've used it a couple of times for DD2. It's great and it works fast and you can do it while they are sleeping without moving them at all!

TradeMama · July 2013

I take it under the armpit and add a degree.

MOMama987 · July 2013

mommatotwo2 said:

Yikes! I don't use a rectal thermometer at all. Our pediatrician reccomended the Exergen Temporal Thermometer, he said it's just about as good a "core" temp, which is what a rectal temp is. We used it through DD1 and it's been great and I've used it a couple of times for DD2. It's great and it works fast and you can do it while they are sleeping without moving them at all!

I have this one as well. It's very easy and works really well.

PumpkinAndThePeanut · July 2013

You are using some Vaseline on the tip, right? I have the Vicks rectal thermometer too and I think it works pretty well.

clineak · July 2013

mommatotwo2 said:

Yikes! I don't use a rectal thermometer at all. Our pediatrician reccomended the Exergen Temporal Thermometer, he said it's just about as good a "core" temp, which is what a rectal temp is. We used it through DD1 and it's been great and I've used it a couple of times for DD2. It's great and it works fast and you can do it while they are sleeping without moving them at all!

We have this, too, and it's awesome! It's also what they use at our pedi's office.

AllieAGame · July 2013

We do under the armpit with a digital thermometer- just make sure it's in the right spot and hold their arm down- easiest to do while feeding. I don't add a degree, but we do randomly take her temp with our thermometer when she is healthy and normal so we know what her normal is on that particular thermometer so we can really know for sure if she has a temperature or not.

Kashy · July 2013

TradeMama said:

I take it under the armpit and add a degree.

This is what we do.

motang · July 2013

We use a temporal thermometer. It also has an armpit setting so if I'm unsure i take it again there.

be888 · July 2013

We use a rectal thermometer with Vaseline. I barely put it in, never had a problem putting it too far.

HZ2012 · July 2013

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I do use Vaseline

I think I'm going to try the Vicks one.

PumpkinAndThePeanut · July 2013

HZ2012 said:
Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I do use Vaseline I think I'm going to try the Vicks one.

I figured you were, just thought I'd throw it out there! Hope your little guy feels better soon.

HZ2012 · August 2013

wmorgan003 said:

HZ2012 said:
Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I do use Vaseline I think I'm going to try the Vicks one.
I figured you were, just thought I'd throw it out there! Hope your little guy feels better soon.

Thank you

He's fine, just had a little bit of a cough, and I knew the pedi would ask if he had a fever, which is why I was trying to do it this am. I knew he didn't bc he was cool, but wanted to be certain. So all that for nothing

bumpuser8130818 · August 2013

I'm curious about those who use Vaseline because our Vicks thermometer says to use a lubricant but NOT petroleum jelly, which is what Vaseline is, right?

be888 · August 2013

Trish625 said:

I'm curious about those who use Vaseline because our Vicks thermometer says to use a lubricant but NOT petroleum jelly, which is what Vaseline is, right?

Maybe it has to do with the brand of the thermometer.

annagrya · August 2013

I use baby oil when I take dd's temp rectally, she doesn't usually squirm alot so I'm lucky I guess

TundraGirl · August 2013

TradeMama said:
I take it under the armpit and add a degree.

We do this too.

babykuz · August 2013

mommatotwo2 said:

Yikes! I don't use a rectal thermometer at all. Our pediatrician reccomended the Exergen Temporal Thermometer, he said it's just about as good a "core" temp, which is what a rectal temp is. We used it through DD1 and it's been great and I've used it a couple of times for DD2. It's great and it works fast and you can do it while they are sleeping without moving them at all!

this