Temp

Ben is still under the weather.took him to the docs yesterday. No temp, no chest infection just congestion on the chest. She gave me an inhaler to help him clear it a bit.

Anyway he feels hot to me in the evening/night and today but in the back of the head not on the forehead . I have an infrared forehead thermometer which says 36.5 but it I point it to his ear it says 39.5!


Anyone know anything about these? Which temp is real? Not had a hot back if head before!! @docmagoo?

[clothmama]

That is a big difference It is hard to know as I think they are calibrated to where they tell you to take it (so the forehead in the case of yours) but the fact that it is reading that high anywhere is a worry! Have you got another thermometer or neighbours you could borrow one off? Has he just woken up and been lying on his ear / back of head?

Interesting if anyone has any more info as I was interested in getting one of these as I have an ear one which wont' work on a tiny baby!

I think you were missing a letter when you tagged Jen so I'm retagging her @docmaggoo

I would say if he feels hot to touch then go with him being hot. I know with ear ones you cant get a false high but can get a false low if its not in properly, same with under arm can get a false low but not a false high xx

I'm lead to believe that the ear thermometer's are more reliable, which is why the hospitals use them. How is he feeling now. Have you retaken the temp? X

The infra-red ones can be very variable in measuring temperature accurately.

I'd always recommend a good quality ear/ tympanic one.
Much more reliable.

but we don't you use a tympanic one on a child under the age of 6 months.

Reason being - their ear canals are much narrower and to get an accurate reading off their ear drum is very very hard - so a simple digital one under an armpit is the best for little ones!

Thanks Jen. Hrs 7m now. The reason we got the infra red one is that my children don't seem to like having it under their arms. But it does seem to be inaccurate so won't rely on it. His forehead is cool, but the back of his head is much warmer. He picked up this afternoon. Ate more and has settled down to sleep better. Hopefully it will just pass.

[clothmama]

but we don't you use a tympanic one on a child under the age of 6 months.

I knew there was a reason we do under the arm at work on the NBs I'll have to grab a underarm one for bubba. Actually I've got a normal looking thermometer that was a basal one for TTC - I used it orally but would that work under the arm @docmaggoo ?

[clothmama]

Ate more and has settled down to sleep better. Hopefully it will just pass.

How is his temp @ems101 has it settled and you are just left with the coughing or is he still warm?

Hes on the mend thanks @clothmama the Cough is loosening. Not sure why he was up so much last night. Possibly after a busy day at my mums. Lots of people wanting to hold him etc.