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All About Normal Infant Temperature

 Infant Normal Temperature babies get fever

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Firstly, it takes very good guesswork to determine a child’s temperature, and not just a normal infant temperature. It is a fact that babies get fever. So simply touching your child’s forehead with the back of your hand is not a good way to determine a fever.
Purchasing a good quality thermometer should be a mum’s first line of defence for monitoring normal infant temperature. A good thermometer will allow you to skip through the guesswork of what you think a normal infant temperature ‘feels’ like. Cherub Baby offers a range of thermometers which are the perfect tools to do this.

What Is Normal Infant Temperature?

Together with children and adults, the normal temperature for any young baby is around 36 – 37°C.  However, unlike bigger children and adults, a slight change in a baby’s temperature can be a sign of something more serious.

Examples of this are as follows:

  • Even a half a degree increase in temperature to 37.5°C is considered to be a low-grade fever for a baby. Firstly, there’s no need to panic – even as a new mum you can manage a low fever at home.
  • An increase from 37.5 to 38°C is a sign of an elevated fever, but you can still manage this at home.
  • An actual fever is when your baby’s temperature reaches 38 – 38.5°C and you should consult your doctor.
  • A very high temperature is recorded at over 38.5°C and demands urgent medical attention.

Therefore, it is essential to have a good-quality thermometer that can measure and detect these small changes.

babies get fever

Why Do Babies Get Fevers?

Babies get fevers for a variety of reasons which can include the following: 

  • A fever is often a sign of a growth spurt as they grow and strengthen their immune systems.
  • A mild infection can cause a child’s temperature to go up as the body is fighting the infection.
  • Immunizations may cause babies and children to have low-grade fevers.
  • Overdressing your baby may cause a fever because a baby’s body cannot regulate temperature as effectively as a grown child.

    While teething is commonly associated with fever, experts disagree. Some say that the inflammation in the gums is what can cause a fever, while other experts say that teething is unrelated. These experts say that it is the stress that a baby undergoes during teething which makes them more vulnerable to infection.

    Most fevers can be easily managed at home.

    Where Can You Take An Infant's Temperature?

    The most common places where you can take a young child’s temperature are through the rectum, the ear and under the arm. Although the rectal method gives the most accurate results, it is not the most comfortable for babies. Yet taking your infant’s temperature under the arm might be more comfortable for them, but it also gives the least accurate results.

    So what is the best way?

    New technology like infrared ear thermometers take one second to work. When used correctly, an infrared thermometer gives accurate results. They work by measuring the infrared energy from the eardrum. The eardrum is a reliable indicator of normal infant temperature.

    To take your baby’s temperature via the ear, first make sure that the ear canal and the sensor are clean. Then all you have to do is straighten the ear canal by gently pulling your baby’s ear back and positioning the probe to aim at the eardrum.

    babies get fever

    The Cherub Baby 4 in 1 Thermometer, Australia 

    One of the most well known ear thermometers in Australia is the Cherub Baby 4 in1 Infrared Digital Ear and Forehead Thermometer. This thermometer has won many awards for Best Baby Thermometer in the Australian Mother & Baby Magazine and My Child Awards.

    The Cherub Baby thermometer is an excellent tool for determining your baby’s temperature. It is compact and easy to operate. This hospital grade thermometer provides accurate readings of your child’s temperature comfortably and quickly.  The thermometer comes with a clock display and a fever alarm that immediately reacts when your child’s temperature exceeds 38°C. In addition, it automatically shuts-off after 60 seconds and does not require expensive refills and probe covers. This baby thermometer is the economical choice for parents that want accurate temperature readings for their little ones.

    As a mum, your intuition tells you many things and can even let you know that your baby is sick. The Cherub Baby 4 in1 Infrared Digital Ear and Forehead Thermometer removes the guesswork by giving you the best results in determining your child’s temperature.

    Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only. Any medical concerns or questions you may have about your baby should be taken up with your local paediatrician. Consult you hospital emergency department if urgent medical attention is required. This is not a replacement for professional medical advice.

    References:

    https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/fever-and-high-temperature-in-children

    https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Fever_in_children/

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