MemorialCare - Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care

Baby’s Health

WARNING

A baby’s normal temperature can range from 97.5° to 100.3° Fahrenheit. Call your health care provider immediately if: • Your baby is 2 months old (or younger) with a temperature of 100.4° F or higher • Your baby (at any age) has a fever that repeatedly rises above 104° F IMMUNIZATIONS Immunizations — shots or vaccinations — are an easy way to protect your child against a variety of diseases. The CDC publishes a yearly list of recommended immunizations for children in the U.S. Here’s what you need to know: • Keep track of your child’s vaccination schedule • Keep a record of your child’s shots in a safe place — you’ll need the official copies to enroll them in child care and school • Check to see if there’s an electronic immunization registry available online Immunizations for family and caregivers Because newborns are still developing their immune systems, they are especially vulnerable to infection and disease. So before anyone comes into close contact with your baby, they must be up to date on all vaccines. This includes whooping cough vaccine (DTaP for children and Tdap for preteens, teens, and adults), and flu vaccine during flu season.

TAKING BABY’S TEMPERATURE When your baby runs a fever, you’ll need to have a baby thermometer close by. When you call the baby’s health care provider, they will usually ask you for your baby’s current temperature. It’s best to use a digital thermometer to check your baby’s temperature under their arm (axillary). A rectal temperature is the most accurate but could irritate or injure the baby’s rectum. An axillary temperature is not as accurate but is easier to take. Ask your health care team how to take your baby’s temperature before you leave the hospital.

How to take an axillary temperature: • Remove the baby’s shirt

• Place the thermometer under their armpit • Fold their arm down to hold the thermometer in place • Hold it until the thermometer signals it is ready to be read

Other Types of Thermometers The following types of thermometers can be used safely on a baby, although they may not be as accurate for newborns. The type of thermometer you use depends on the baby’s age, so talk to your baby’s health care provider if you have any questions. • Tympanic thermometers measure temperatures in the ear canal • Temporal artery thermometers take temperatures across the forehead These are less accurate and not recommended : • Plastic strip thermometers • Pacifier thermometers • Smartphone apps NOTE: Never use a mercury thermometer! These are thin glass devices filled with a silvery metal that can be toxic if they break. If you have one in your home, you should safely remove it.

Questions about immunizations? Talk to your child’s health care provider or local or state health department. Call the CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) or visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules.

Be prepared to tell your health care provider how the baby’s temperature was taken.

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Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care