Baby feels hot but thermometer says only 34

[Pommy Mummy]

Hi
Sometimes my baby (8months) feels really hot but when I take his tempereature the thermometer says it is only 34.6.

I hadn't really worried about it until today when I picked him up from creche and the girls said that he had felt hot so she took his temperature and she only got a reading of 34.

Does anyone have any ideas what this could be?

Thanks:detective:

[Shazbutt]

I don't have any idea why it happens, but both my girls have been like that before. Especially before 1yr old....Charlee is like it alot lately, maybe its the warm weather?

[Mum2Lucas]

DS is exactly the same and has been since he was born. The doctor said that he might just be a hot baby or something like that. He actually starts sweating with it when its not really warm enough to sweat. I dont really worry too much about it though

[aardvark]

What sort of thermometer?

If DD#1 has a fever, a normal thermometer will read high, but my braun thermoscan on her will read below 37 still, even if a digital thermometer under the tongue says 39 degrees.

If you are using a ear or forehead device, you need to know what the device reads for that individual when they don't have a fever., so you can note a difference.

BTW, when I don't have a fever, one ear of mine usually reads 37.5, the other 36.8, so it also varies from ear to ear.

[Pommy Mummy]

yeah I have tried the in the ear thermometer whe n he hasn't got a temp and it was about the same. I actually mentioned to the pharmacist the other day because I was wanting her to suggest a stick-on forehead theremometer and she said " well have you ever considered that that might just be his temperature" she also said the the stick-on ones weren't very good. I have a digital thermomenter but he is so active that I don't think I could get him to hold still long enough for me to put it under his arm - any tips on that?

[veve]

I don't think I could get him to hold still long enough for me to put it under his arm - any tips on that?

I always breastfeed (or bottlefeed) when I am using the underarm thermometer... he is too intent on feeding to struggle much - if I dont do it then.. I have no chance (and he is only 4 months LOL .. I'm not looking forward to what he will do when he can move more!!!)

good luck

xx

[JnA]

"she also said the the stick-on ones weren't very good."


the stickon ones are fine and work well as an initial indicator. The tympanic ones are ok, but rarely show core temp very well. The Rolls Royce of temperature taking is per rectal (PR). But this is uncomfortable for baby and should only be done by a professional in case of rectal tearing.

Having said all of that, if your baby feels hot to touch, try stripping down to nappies only and a flannel (wet with cold tap water). If thier skin temp does not seem to subside, in say, five to ten minutes, seek further medical attention (be it doctor or paracetamol). Use your noggin as well as your instinct. Associate high temp with other symptoms (excessive crying, obvious pain, limpness etc). If in doubt seek further medical treatment... no doctor will look down on you for being over zealous, a good mother is one that checks (if there seems to be a worry).
Use the health direct line (they do good stuff).


disclaimer - I am not a doctor, but work in emergency care (Ambulance and first aid) these are suggested recommendations, that should not be replasced by higher medical opinions.

[SassyMummy]

My bub is always sweating...even when it's not hot and she's not wearning many clothes. Some babies are just hot.

That being said, I read that if your baby is warmer than usual but their temp is not very high, they're probably just wearing too many layers of clothes. Or, their clothes aren't weather-appropriate. Perhaps try to take off some of his/her clothes and see how that goes.

[Pommy Mummy]

Thanks for all you comments they are much appreciated. Jack is at his nannya today so I could have a bit of a rest she tok his temp with my thermometer and it read 36 which is higher than his norm on that thermometer so she has given him some panandol. Last night was a shocker I had about 40mins sleep:( I even for the first time put him in the car and drove him round the block 7 times and he then slept for 40 mins when we got home but he would even settle when he was in bed with me, I felt completely stumpt but a few things that worked were wrapping his bottom half in a sheet, having a lamp on and then I just sat there holding his hand or patting him but nothing seemed to work for longer than 15 mins.
So today I went out and bought a vapouriser - our doc is keen on them but I thought I'd give it a go. I also spoke the pharmacist and she has given me some decongestant stuff and I also got some baby vicks vapor rub. So wish me luck for tonight.

Actually while I'm at it do you mind if I have a rant about my DH? Well he was away on business thursday night and then had a work to on last night and got home at about 11.30 (jack woke at about 12.30). He is having a pretty stressful time at work at the moment (senior manager in the financial services industry) plus the first cricket final is the weekend (he plays A grade) but he offered no assistance what so ever all he did was get up and shut out bedroom door so he could hear jack screaming! Is it me or am I being unreasonable:confused:
Anyway thanks for letting me rant.

[pumpkin]

[QUOTE=Pommy Mummy]Thanks for all you comments they are much appreciated. Jack is at his nannya today so I could have a bit of a rest she tok his temp with my thermometer and it read 36 which is higher than his norm on that thermometer so she has given him some panandol.


I just wanted to let you know that 36 is not a temp that is way within normal temp ranges even for babies. doctors and hospitals only class above 37.4 as temps so id take it a bit easy on the unnecessary panadol.

[bpato]

a flannel (wet with cold tap water).

I have always be told by GP and pead not to use cold water when they have a temp and it can bring there temp down to qicuk and make things worse. Use a warm flannel not hot, and gradully reduce the temp of water as there temp goes down.

We also have an ear thermometer. It constanly gives a differnt reading. DS can be burning up all over and it will read 35.6. His temp when well with this is usually 36.8, go figure. I have just email the manufacture about this issue as well

Belinda

[JnA]

I have always be told by GP and pead not to use cold water when they have a temp and it can bring there temp down to qicuk and make things worse. Use a warm flannel not hot, and gradully reduce the temp of water as there temp goes down.

This is very true.. I don't know about your tap water but mine isn't very cold. I should have said 'cool' or maybe 'tepid'. Sometimes words are quite subjective so I would hesitate to say 'warm'.

The danger of bringing their skin temp down too quickly is that the body starts working on warming it up again and precious blood supplies go to the skin instead of where it should be, fighting any infection or at the core temp.

Thanks for the clarification.


I just wanted to let you know that 36 is not a temp that is way within normal temp ranges even for babies. doctors and hospitals only class above 37.4 as temps so id take it a bit easy on the unnecessary panadol.

Absolutely! Babies can a little hotter than adults anyway, but even for an adult 'normal' is about 37C.


I hope you both get some sleep tonight. It's horrible when they don't sleep and we desperately search for answers as to why.. I hope you find an answer.

[Pommy Mummy]

Thanks for the input again girls. I do hate giving him medication unnecessarily but the poor thing has been burning up I don't just use the thermometer as an indication particularly as I think those in the ear ones a a bit fical. Today I managed to take his temp with the digital one and it was 38.5 and just for the fun of it I took a reading with the ear one and it said the same. I think the problem with the ear one is that he doesn't even stay still long enough for it do get a decent reading(3 secs) We did manage to get some sleep last night as he would sleep in bed with me but this evening it was hard getting him down in his cot so he has been asleep with me but I managed to put him down so I thought I'd check my emails etc before he wakes up again.

By the way I had to buy more panadol the other day and the girls said would you like to try our home brand I said yes 'cos it was half the price but I think I will go back to panandol as it doesn't seem to be going down as well iykwim and when I tasted a bit off my fingers today I realised it was revolting really bitter.

[Miaow]

When EJ was born she couldnt maintain her temp too well for about 6 hours - the midwifes wanted to make sure it stayed over 36.5 (thats with under the arm) a CHN also said over 36.5 was better than under that - now normally she's around the 36.7 mark most of the time. She's also felt real hot sometimes but her temp has been fine though when she had her cold it got up to 37.2 once which the doc said was a low grade fever.