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How do I ... take my
baby's temperature?
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| While there are many acceptable
ways to take your child's temperature, you
should use a rectal thermometer if you think
that your baby has a fever. To take a rectal
temperature, first wash and rinse the
thermometer and shake it until it is reading
below 96 degrees F. Next, rub a small amount of
lubricant on it's tip and while your baby is
lying down, hold one of your hands firmly on his
lower back, just above his buttocks. Now gently
insert the thermometer into his anus about 1/2
to 1 inches. Wait for two minutes and then
remove the thermometer and slowly roll it until
you are able to see the end of the mercury
column, which is your baby's temperature. For
infants under three months of age, a fever is
considered to be a temperature over 100.4
degrees F (call your doctor immediately!). |
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