The birth of a child in a family is always considered a new stage in the life of young parents. Mom and Dad strive to provide the baby with not only everything necessary, but also the best, carefully monitor his health, recording every little thing. However, most inexperienced parents have many questions and concerns that are related to the health and life of the baby. What should be his stool, how much and when to feed the baby, what body temperature he should have - all this turns for parents into the most vital problems.
Body temperature in newborns is normal
Body temperature in babies is the most important indicator of the state of his health. It directly depends on most factors, both external and internal - ambient temperature, air humidity, the state of the internal thermoregulation system. In babies under 3 months, self-regulation of body temperature is not yet as effective as in adults. Babies freeze very quickly or, conversely, overheat.
The main task of parents in this period is to create the most comfortable living conditions for the child. But it is worth considering that in babies under 3 months old, the cause of an increase in temperature is not always the development of infectious processes, it can be very hot air in the room, a large amount of warm clothes worn on the child, colic or even prolonged crying.
Normal body temperature in a child ranges from 37 to 37, 2 degrees Celsius. Of course, these indicators are considered average and are more suitable for babies born healthy. There are cases when even completely healthy children in the first days of life may experience small temperature fluctuations up to 39 degrees. And this will not be considered a sign of illness, most often this is simply due to the fact that the body cannot instantly adapt to life outside the womb.
Measuring the body temperature of a newborn
Three main methods are used to measure the body temperature of a child: oral (a thermometer under the tongue), rectal (the temperature is measured in the anus) and in the armpits. Of course, the temperature will be different in each case. For armpits, the norm will be 36-37, 3 degrees, in the rectum - 36, 9-37, 5 degrees, and in the mouth (under the tongue) - 36, 6-37, 5 degrees.
It is not so easy to measure the temperature of a newborn. The complexity of the process can be aggravated by the need to find out as accurate a result as possible, since a decrease or increase in temperature is an important symptom of a developing disease. The most accurate and convenient way to measure a baby's body temperature is rectal, when a thermometer is inserted into the rectum.
Low body temperature of a newborn
Low body temperature in a child most often indicates hypothermia or general weakness of the body. But it is worth remembering that during sleep, the temperature of the human body is lower than during activity. You should also not panic if the indicator of the thermometer is one degree more than the norm in the absence of noticeable changes in the behavior or mood of the baby. If the baby is lethargic, does not respond to external stimuli, refusing to eat and constantly crying, you should immediately consult a doctor.
