newborn's temp.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what a good temperature for a newborn is. I just took my week and half old's temp and it was 99.2, but then I took it again and it was 98.8. I know that babies have a hard time regulating there body temp till there metabolisim fully develops, I just want to be sure that Graci does not have a fever. I am hoping she is just warm, and so I already unswaddled her.

You should always check a rectal temperature on newborn and normal is 99.6 rectally. Anything over 100.4 is a fever!

well i think and heard that whats normal for us also is for the baby. And u suppose to dress the baby the way u would dress depending on how warm or cold it is! my mom always nags at me talking bout i dress the baby 2 cold, but i also think its better for here immun system then always have her all thick dressed.

Quoting carynm:“ You should always check a rectal temperature on newborn and normal is 99.6 rectally. Anything over 100.4 is a fever!”

I second what you say. hehe

In the NICU they actually take auxillary temps because I guess that is what is most accurate now. (arm pit)

Quoting Jessica [Slvrmoon]:“ In the NICU they actually take auxillary temps because I guess that is what is most accurate now. (arm pit)”

that's what I did, because that is the way they checked her in the hospital

Quoting Jessica [Slvrmoon]:“ In the NICU they actually take auxillary temps because I guess that is what is most accurate now. (arm pit)”

In the hospital I work at the NICU does axillary only because it's less invasive. If the baby is consistently having high temps they will insert a rectal thermometer that can stay in place to safely give an accurate temperature. In general, an axillary temp is 1 degree lower than a corp temp.

Quoting Jessica [Slvrmoon]:“ In the NICU they actually take auxillary temps because I guess that is what is most accurate now. (arm pit)”

Thats what I was told too.
I'll do both rectally and arm pit just to compare the 2 though.

Quoting carynm:“ In the hospital I work at the NICU does axillary only because it's less invasive. If the baby is consistently ... [snip!] ... that can stay in place to safely give an accurate temperature. In general, an axillary temp is 1 degree lower than a corp temp.”

so would you say that my baby has a fever? I tried calling the pediatrician, but all I get is this stupid recording, and no way to leave a message

I would take it rectally if I were you. My doctor told me that no other way is accurate. I called once about this when my little girl was about 3 weeks old. She said only to bring her in if her rectal temp was over 100.4. If you are really uncomfortable about it, keep calling or call the nearest ER. They will answer any questions for you as well!

Quoting carynm:“ I would take it rectally if I were you. My doctor told me that no other way is accurate. I called once ... [snip!] ... If you are really uncomfortable about it, keep calling or call the nearest ER. They will answer any questions for you as well!”

thank you so much, I will try taking it rectally. It would have been nice if they mentioned any of this before I brought her home from the hospital, but then they still have yet to tell me what exactly they did to me.

Quoting carynm:“ In the hospital I work at the NICU does axillary only because it's less invasive. If the baby is consistently ... [snip!] ... that can stay in place to safely give an accurate temperature. In general, an axillary temp is 1 degree lower than a corp temp.”

Hmmm I wonder why they told me that then. I was also told not to do rectal at home either. And it was the same for both of my kids, 2 years apart! Oh well. I use an ear thermometer anyways =)

Quoting Jessica [Slvrmoon]:“ Hmmm I wonder why they told me that then. I was also told not to do rectal at home either. And it was the same for both of my kids, 2 years apart! Oh well. I use an ear thermometer anyways =)”

It's so weird how all doctors are different! Actually, it's so annoying! I HATE taking her temp rectally. The ear thermometers are great!!

Quoting carynm:“ I would take it rectally if I were you. My doctor told me that no other way is accurate. I called once ... [snip!] ... If you are really uncomfortable about it, keep calling or call the nearest ER. They will answer any questions for you as well!”

They told me the same thing.  I was always told to take rectal only.  We'll take it with an ear one or a armpit one and then if it seems high, do rectal.  Just because I don't want to do that too much.  But, usually even if it is high armpit, then it's not rectal.  The axillary can change by the amount of clothes they are wearing and the temp in the room.  My daughter always has a "temp" axillary if her dad holds her.  It's just because they are both furnaces.  BUt, she has only had one rectally once.  

If you are going to do a rectal temp, get a rectal thermometer so you won't insert too far.  That can cause damage if  you don't know what you're doing.  Also put some vaseline on it.