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What is a high temp for a new-born?

post #1 of 11
2/18/09 at 8:01pm
Thread Starter 
First of all, what is the correct way to take the temp?

Our baby girl was born January 30th, and when we came home from the hospital my wife and I both got sick. We both stayed sick for about a week with a flu type cold, and then she relapsed. I got well and she got it again. she is just now coming off of it, and she just called me and told me that the baby is crying badly and when she checked her temp it was 99.1*

What do we need to do to accurately take the temp? Also-our Pediatrician's Office closed 30 minutes ago. What do we need to do if we can't get in touch with them?
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post #2 of 11
2/18/09 at 8:23pm

Re: What is a high temp for a new-born?

I've always been told that a rectal temp is most accurate. You can give her infant tylenol drops, just follow the instructions on the bottle.
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post #3 of 11
2/18/09 at 8:32pm

Re: What is a high temp for a new-born?

They make pacifier thermometers now and they also have the ones you stick in their ear. My favs are the ones the hospital uses which just runs across your forehead--to expensive for me though.

If your doctor is closed and you are that worried there is always the ER and some bigger cities have urgent care places that are like the ER they just aren't at the hospital. I don't think she is quite ready for the ER yet but do keep a watch on her temp just to make sure--of course if you just stuck a digital therm. in her mouth the temp may actually be higher than it is reading now....I know my 3 month old nephew keeps his mouth open when I try to get his temps and I don't think that is an accurate reading
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post #4 of 11
2/18/09 at 8:37pm

Re: What is a high temp for a new-born?

Rectal temp is best.

If you are concerned, but don't want to take her to the ER, I would just call the doctors office, they normally have an on-call phone number to contact and then either your doctor, or the doctor on call will call you back and they can dose tylenol for you.
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post #5 of 11
2/18/09 at 9:42pm

Re: What is a high temp for a new-born?

When my baby came home yesterday his ped said anything that is 100.4 RECTALLY I was to take him in Immediately - IF I can't get in by her I was to go to the ER.
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post #6 of 11
2/18/09 at 11:09pm

Re: What is a high temp for a new-born?

I agree with Karen. Over 100, and RECTALLY. Poor little thing. Poor momm and daddy too!
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post #7 of 11
2/19/09 at 11:41am

Re: What is a high temp for a new-born?

You need to be very careful doing rectal temps. Many peds do not recommend this anymore because of potentially causing damage to the rectal mucosa. We have a tympanic thermometer that works great. I think it's anything over 100 in newborns. I will have to find some literature to cite this and get back to you.
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post #8 of 11
2/19/09 at 11:52am

Re: What is a high temp for a new-born?

Here's a good link for info on kids temps & ages.....
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/fever.html

Hope your little one is feeling better.
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post #9 of 11
2/19/09 at 11:55am

Re: What is a high temp for a new-born?

I don't do them rectally - freaks me out too much. I just relayed what my ped told me.
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post #10 of 11
2/19/09 at 5:14pm

Re: What is a high temp for a new-born?

My SIL called her ped today and he said 101 you should call the doc
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post #11 of 11
8/14/09 at 2:10pm

Re: What is a high temp for a new-born?

i think checking temp in the armpit area is also advised by some physician's as being accurate.
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