However, are you well aware of how to maximize the thermometer?
The reason is, so many thermometers are sold by people. In addition to containing mercury, there're also digital gauge, thermometer for ear canal and a flexible one taped to the forehead.
Digital thermometer is very practical because it can read body temperature quickly and accurately. This type of thermometer can be used to measure body temperature orally, rectally, or through the armpit, usually plastic-handled with the sensor and display on both sides.
Meanwhile, the ear thermometer is used to measure the temperature of the eardrum or in the canal. To older children, the measurement can take place quickly, accurately, and easily. However, to the baby, it's not very accurate because the ear canal is still small. The price is more expensive.
It's not recommended for the use of this tool to infants less than three months.
Next is the plastic strip thermometer, a thin slab of plastic taped to the forehead of the child. This tool can be used to measure the body temperature, but its accuracy is low, especially in infants and small children.
Meanwhile, the mercury glass thermometer that ever became the most widely used is now not recommended because of the danger of pollution.
There's also a pacifier thermometer. Although it's easy to use, the temperature gauge is often inaccurate, so it's not recommended to be used in infants younger than three months.
You'd maximize the thermometer function because the body temperature data is needed by medical personnel. The preferred method of measuring the child's body temperature is determined by age and cooperation.
If less than three months old, for example, it's more accurate when measured using a digital thermometer.
When aged of three months to four years, you can select digital or ear thermometer. Digital thermometer can also be used to measure the temperature in the armpit though the results will be less accurate.
Once the child is older than four years, a digital thermometer is a choice to measure the temperature in the oral cavity.
However, if the child is coughing repeatedly or breathing through the mouth, oral temperature measurement is no longer effective. Instead, use the ear thermometer or measure underarm or rectal temperature with a digital thermometer.
Before measuring rectal temperature, lubricate the tip of the thermometer with a water-soluble jelly. Lay the child on your lap or on a flat and rather hard mattress. One hand holds the bottom of the buttocks so that children aren't moving. Meanwhile, the other hand inserts the thermometer through the anus as far as two centimeters.
If there's any resistance, don't enter more than one centimeter. Calm the child, then wait for the beep.
To measure the temperature in the oral cavity, if the child has just drunk or eaten, wait for 30 minutes. Make sure, there's no food and candy inside the mouth. Place the tip of the thermometer under the tongue; ask the child to purse lips around.
Remind not to bite or talk when there's a thermometer in the mouth.
Finally, when measuring the temperature in the armpit, the thermometer should touch the skin, instead of clothes.
Whatever the method is, remember the prohibition: don't measure body temperature immediately after bathing or when swaddled as it'll affect the results.
You may also like:
The Encyclopedia of Country Living
Your Baby's First Year Week by Week
The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care
The Intrepid Parent's Field Guide to the Baby Kingdom
A Double Life
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