Tips and Tricks: Baby's Temperature

Age: Newborn and babies
Area of Development: parenting/health

When taking your baby's temperature the most accurate reading is accomplished rectally. Fun, right? I read a few years ago that the best way to do this is to lay the baby on his/her back, lift the legs as if wiping their butt, dip the thermometer in petroleum jelly, and insert into the rectum. This is so much easier than laying the baby on his/her stomache. A newborn will most likely scream in this position and any baby able to roll over from stomache to back will try and try to roll over while you're taking his/her temperature. I would also suggest a quick read thermometer - the quicker the better, right?

Did you already know this? Did you find this tip helpful? Do you have a tip you'd like to share? Leave it in the comments or email me at mccathy at comcast dot net.