taking baby's temp - is it accurate

[Tanker Chic]

Jacob will be 6wk tomorrow.  Early this afternoon i thought jacob felt a little warm to me so it tried to get his temp from under his arm.  he kept squirming so i wasn't able to get it that way so i tried rectally.  He kept squirming around so after 4 or 5 tries i gave up and decided i would keep an eye on him.   well later that afternoon he projectile vomited all over me. he emptied his stomach and it came through his mouth and nose. I tried getting his temp again and had a little better luck this time.  after he poo'ed on me for the 3rd time, i got a temp of 98.8. which isn't warm but when i put my lips to his head he feels warm to me.  i'm always leery of digital thermometers.  what do you think? do you trust them?

[Tanker Chic]

kelly,

What kind do you have?

[azqtpies]

I used the digital with my last baby because he had febrile seizures.. and I had to keep an track on his temp when he was sick. They worked well for me.. but the rectal is always the most accurate of them. So if you cant get it rectally I would try the digital ear or forehead one, they have come along way . my pediatrician office uses the same one I have so must be ok! Good luck Hannah


Kelly

[tahariel]

I use a digital rectal thermometer with KY jelly to help insertion. Here's an article to give some pointers on taking an infant's temperature. I used the diaper changing position and that seemed to work well, singing, talking and smiling to baby the entire time.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-take-your-babys-temperature_11508.bc

When my youngest was several months old, the rectal method did not work anymore because of being so squirmy, so we purchased a good forehead scan thermometer which is surprisingly accurate. (Exergen Temporal Thermometer). The whole family uses that one now too because it's easy and accurate. Hope your baby is feeling better soon! My oldest woke up with the flu this morning, so we did not have much of an Easter celebration today.

[Tanker Chic]

you experienced mommies are sooooo great.  Thanks!!

I called the pedi weekend number before I got the temp. She said to call back if he gets sick like that again or if the temp is over 100.  She said if he only vomits like that one time it isn't a big deal.  Of course it is so much more comforting coming from you. :)

[stephie4]

i have never had luck with digital thermometers. they just tend to be inaccruate. giving different temps minutes apart.

i'd use the old fashioned kind. and for his age, rectal would be the easiest and most accurate. good luck!
stephanie

[rukiyar]

I always used the ear digital thermo's just stick it in press a button instant temp , the hopsital's use it for us and babies helps with the sqirmies, the vomiting thing is okay mine did it many a times freaked me out each time , he probably just ate to much, I would just keep an eye on himI(like I even need to tell you) and tommorow is Mon just call your ped, God I can t belive he is already freaking 6 weeks where is the time going, boy they grow so much faster it seems outside than when there in us LOL