How to take RECTAL TEMPEATURE???

luckymommy22 · Sep 18th, 2011, 06:59 AM

FTM here and....my 4 1/2 month old is really sick....how do i take rectal temperaure??
i have the thermometer, thermometer covers, and vaseline....now what do i do?? im scared because i dont want to hurt her

Mya209 · Sep 18th, 2011, 07:04 AM

Ooh do u need to do that? I just use a forehead one or an ear one!

Divinebeauty · Sep 18th, 2011, 07:06 AM

You lay the baby on her side, life on of the legs, insert the probe ONLY the tip and wait for the beep...

I would just use an ear one though, can be just as accurate.

qpaulina42 · Sep 18th, 2011, 07:11 AM

When I took the rectal temperature I had her lying on her back. She didn't seem to mind but did poop all over me. I was told ear thermometers are not ok at first as they can damage the ear or something, but I'm not sure for how long...
Anyway... so you put the cover on the thermometer, then put vasiline or some such on the cover, then put it in her rectum so that the entire probe is in (the silver part), perhaps even a little more. I found it was important to be sure it's in there (I almost did half an inch or so) because otherwise I was getting readings all over the place.

stardust599 · Sep 18th, 2011, 07:36 AM

Rectal thermometer can be done under the arm. Just add 0.5degrees C x

ermm23a · Sep 18th, 2011, 07:38 AM

When my LO was in the hospital, they always took his under the arm.

SKATERBUN · Sep 18th, 2011, 10:48 AM

I have never heard of doing it this way, for a human anyway

We take temp under arm or forehead

aliss · Sep 18th, 2011, 10:59 AM

My OH took my LO's rectal temperature once and the nurse reamed us out, apparently it is now strongly discouraged for parents to do this at home as some babies have been injured

I would recommend not to do it unless you were 100% confident on how to do it properly. Hope your girl gets better soon

patch2006uk · Sep 18th, 2011, 11:04 AM

I really wouldn't. It's too risky that you puncture something up there. Forehead, underarm, oral and ear thermometers are fine for home use.

It sounds from your other posts that your LO just has a cold. Keep offering plenty of fluids and keep her as comfortable as possible. Give calpol if she seems to be in pain or very uncomfortable. Maybe get her out for a walk, fresh air can help clear a stuffy head. And try and get her as much rest as possible. You can always take her into the bathroom while the shower is running and let the steam clear her nose too

milf2be · Sep 18th, 2011, 11:14 AM

rectal temperature shouldn't be done anymore. you can really damage the very delicate mucous membranes. under the arm is accurate enough, it's what we do in hospital

Sep 18th, 2011, 06:59 AM	#1
luckymommy22 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: lancaster, pa USA Posts: 128	How to take RECTAL TEMPEATURE??? FTM here and....my 4 1/2 month old is really sick....how do i take rectal temperaure?? i have the thermometer, thermometer covers, and vaseline....now what do i do?? im scared because i dont want to hurt her

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Sep 18th, 2011, 07:04 AM	#2
Mya209 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,372	Ooh do u need to do that? I just use a forehead one or an ear one!

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Sep 18th, 2011, 07:06 AM	#3
Divinebeauty Pregnant (Expecting) Inactive Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4,403	You lay the baby on her side, life on of the legs, insert the probe ONLY the tip and wait for the beep... I would just use an ear one though, can be just as accurate.

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Sep 18th, 2011, 07:11 AM	#4
qpaulina42 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: upstate NY, USA Posts: 1,678	When I took the rectal temperature I had her lying on her back. She didn't seem to mind but did poop all over me. I was told ear thermometers are not ok at first as they can damage the ear or something, but I'm not sure for how long... Anyway... so you put the cover on the thermometer, then put vasiline or some such on the cover, then put it in her rectum so that the entire probe is in (the silver part), perhaps even a little more. I found it was important to be sure it's in there (I almost did half an inch or so) because otherwise I was getting readings all over the place.

Status: Offline

Sep 18th, 2011, 07:36 AM	#5
stardust599 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: UK Posts: 6,200	Rectal thermometer can be done under the arm. Just add 0.5degrees C x

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Sep 18th, 2011, 07:38 AM	#6
ermm23a Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA Posts: 1,485	When my LO was in the hospital, they always took his under the arm.

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Sep 18th, 2011, 10:48 AM	#7
SKATERBUN Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3,744	I have never heard of doing it this way, for a human anyway We take temp under arm or forehead

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Sep 18th, 2011, 10:59 AM	#8
aliss AutoSignup (SAAB) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Québec Posts: 24,347	My OH took my LO's rectal temperature once and the nurse reamed us out, apparently it is now strongly discouraged for parents to do this at home as some babies have been injured I would recommend not to do it unless you were 100% confident on how to do it properly. Hope your girl gets better soon

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Sep 18th, 2011, 11:04 AM	#9
patch2006uk Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: West Mids, UK Posts: 5,220	I really wouldn't. It's too risky that you puncture something up there. Forehead, underarm, oral and ear thermometers are fine for home use. It sounds from your other posts that your LO just has a cold. Keep offering plenty of fluids and keep her as comfortable as possible. Give calpol if she seems to be in pain or very uncomfortable. Maybe get her out for a walk, fresh air can help clear a stuffy head. And try and get her as much rest as possible. You can always take her into the bathroom while the shower is running and let the steam clear her nose too

Status: Offline

Sep 18th, 2011, 11:14 AM	#10
milf2be Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: birmingham Posts: 1,842	rectal temperature shouldn't be done anymore. you can really damage the very delicate mucous membranes. under the arm is accurate enough, it's what we do in hospital

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