What is the normal temperature of infants

The appearance in the family of a newborn radically changes the life of others. Mom and Dad understand all the responsibility that now lies on them, and try to do everything for their child to make him comfortable. A rise in body temperature in a baby often leads young parents into a state close to panic. To avoid unnecessary distress and stress, you need to know what normal temperature a child should have. By and large, it does not matter much, a little baby or already a schoolboy, a fever is at least alarming, because this is a clear sign that there are some changes in the body and most often not the best ones. The immune system of newborns is far from ideal, so the temperature increase in them becomes more dangerous than that of others.

While still in the maternity ward, a young mother can learn a lot about her child. For example, the fact that the temperature of the infants is slightly different from normal for an adult. The normal temperature of the baby in the first few days of his life varies from 37.0 to 37.4 ° C. Such indicators can be obtained by measuring the temperature in the armpit. Putting a thermometer in the mouth or rectum should be prepared for the fact that it will show other, increased by about half a degree, results. Finally, the normal temperature of the baby is set closer to the first birthday.

In order to determine what is the normal temperature of the baby, it is necessary to measure it by the same method every day at the same time with a healthy and calm state of the child for several days. Thus, it is possible to obtain a specific figure, the deviation from which will be a signal of an increase in temperature.

By measuring the temperature in the armpit, the most accurate results can be obtained using the most common mercury thermometer. In order that it does not fall and do not break, you should hold the handle of the baby. The measurement time is from five to ten minutes. Most often pediatricians are strongly recommended to acquire electronic thermometers during pregnancy. Their indicators are also quite accurate and will be needed from the first days of the baby's life. Such thermometers are excellent for determining the temperature in the rectum, because here the mercury device can not be used in any case, as in the measurement in the oral cavity. For this, special thermometers-pacifiers were invented.

If the normal temperature of the baby has changed, then it can speak not only about the onset of the disease. The most common causes, of course, are viral or bacterial infections, but the increase can also be a consequence of overheating and dehydration of the body, as well as the beginning of the period of teething. Among other things, quite common culprits are stresses or reactions to vaccination.

If nevertheless young parents noticed an increase in the temperature of their child, a newborn or older, one should know that it is not always necessary to reduce it, especially with a medicamentous method. There is no need to perform any action of temperature, below 38 degrees, and sometimes even 39. Pediatricians explain this by the fact that when the disease occurs, the body begins to fight it and produce antibodies, which is accompanied by fever. If it is lowered, the antibodies will cease to be produced and complications of the disease may occur. To take anything is necessary when the thermometer shows more than 39 degrees. In this case, first of all, you should call the doctors who will help, otherwise there is a high probability not to improve, but on the contrary, worsen the situation.