With the advent of the baby in the family, mom and dad are asked many new questions. So, parents are worried about the regimen of the day crumbs, his nutrition, physical activity and mental development. It would seem that everything is simple. However, quite often children are prone to diseases. In this case, the most common symptom of pathology is an increase in the mark on the thermometer. In this article, the temperature norm in a child up to a year will be described. You will learn how to correctly measure what is needed for this. It is also worth mentioning about what are the norms of body temperature in a child after a year.
How to measure the temperature of the baby?
The temperature norm in a child up to a year can be determined using some improvised means. Currently, there are many instruments for measuring values. It can be baby's dummies with a special board. Also, plates that are glued onto the forehead crumbs are also very popular. This is very convenient, since there is no need to hold a thermometer.
Manufacturers of household appliances and medicines produce the latest thermometers. They can be electronic or mercury, as before. Many instruments are equipped with shockproof system and flexible tip. This device allows you to measure temperature not only in the armpit.
To obtain reliable values, it is necessary to use the devices for diagnosis correctly. Follow the instructions on the packaging. If you are using a classic mercury thermometer, you need to place it completely under the child’s arm. The rod of the device should go parallel to the forearm. After 5-7 years, you can measure the temperature of the child in the same way as an adult.
Types of temperatures
The temperature norm for a child up to a year and after may differ depending on where the measurement is made. Most often, measurement is carried out in the armpit. However, the temperature can be determined on the elbow, in the rectum, in the mouth and so on. In medicine, several types of values are distinguished:
- the norm of body temperature in children up to a year, at an older age, as well as in adults (values are in the range from 35.5 to 37.5 degrees);
- low-grade values (from 37.5 to 38 degrees);
- weak (from 38 to 38.5 degrees);
- febrile temperature, or moderate (up to 39 degrees);
- pyretic, or high (up to 41 degrees);
- hyperperitic temperature, or fever (from 41 degrees).
What temperature is the norm for a child up to a year?
Absolutely all babies are born with an underdeveloped nervous system. The consequence of this is the poor functioning of the thyroid gland and hypothalamus. That is why thermoregulation is poorly developed in infants. What is the norm of temperature in a child up to a year? Doctors say that the readings of the thermometer can be in the range from 36 to 37.5 degrees. It all depends on the environment and the well-being of the baby. You also already know that the norm of body temperature in children under one year old differs depending on the place of measurement. Consider the main values.
Values in the armpit in children of the first year of life
In this zone, the body temperature of the baby can be in the range of 36.4 to 37.3 degrees. At the same time, the environment has a great influence. If the baby is outdoors in hot weather, then the level of the thermometer can show a value of 37.6 degrees. When the baby cries angrily, blushes, or he begins to have colic, the temperature can rise to 38 degrees. In this case, the baby is completely healthy and does not have viral or bacterial infections. During feeding, the temperature norm in the baby can be in the range from 37 to 37.2 degrees.
If the child is hypothermic, then the thermometer can show a temperature of 35.8 to 36.5. At the same time, the baby most often behaves uneasily, cries and tries to keep warm.
Rectal temperature in infants
With this method of measurement, the thermometer will always be slightly higher. So, in a child up to a year, the thermometer readings in the range from 36.9 to 37.6 degrees are considered normal. Remember that measurement is necessary when the baby is at rest. It is better to do this during sleep (half an hour after falling asleep).
Rectal temperature may increase after eating, during bowel cleansing, with the activity of the child. In this case, the values of the thermometer can increase up to 38 degrees. However, this is not a pathology and is considered the norm.
Oral temperature in newborns
These values in babies can range from 36 to 37.1 degrees. Measurements should be carried out in the sublingual region. In this case, the mouth should be closed. It is worth noting that for kids it is quite difficult to make the right measurement. That is why this method is rarely used.
The temperature norm in children after a year
After the first year of life, the nervous system and hypothalamus work. Thermoregulation becomes more correct and may already respond to external sources of exposure. So, with prolonged exposure to the sun, the child's body starts self-cooling. The temperature norm in a child a year and later is in the range from 36.3 to 37 degrees. In this case, the measurement region is of great importance.
Axillary Temperature Measurement
In this area, the norm of the temperature of the child (1 year and older) is from 36.5 to 36.9 degrees. This condition applies only if the baby is at rest. Often in children there is an increase in temperature in the late afternoon. This happens especially often after swimming or active games. However, if the fever persists even after going to bed, then we can talk about the inflammatory process.
A decrease in body temperature in babies is observed in the morning, while the baby is still sleeping. So, you can find the minimum values on the thermometer in the period from 5 to 7 in the morning. In this case, the norm is considered to be a level from 35.8 to 36.6 degrees.
Oral temperature after a year
For children after a year, this measurement method is also rarely used. However, the baby can already be persuaded to sit quietly and with his mouth closed for several minutes. Normal values are considered indicators from 36.4 to 36.8 degrees.
Rectal temperature measurement after a year
During this period, the thyroid gland is already quite debugged. The temperature level in this place is almost the same as in an adult. In a calm state, it is in the range from 36.4 to 37 degrees.
Can there be exceptions?
So, you know what the norm of body temperature is in children under one year old. The table shows the basic values for both kids and older people. However, many parents are interested in the question of whether there are exceptions. Does it happen that the temperature rises or falls for no reason (in the absence of illness)?
Fever
As you already know, in infants there is an increase in body temperature with overheating and tension. During massage, physical education and eating, an increase in the value of the thermometer is also observed.
When teething, the temperature may rise. However, the values of the thermometer should not exceed 37.8 degrees. Otherwise, we can talk about a pathological process. Many mothers believe that a temperature of 38 to 39 with teething is normal. However, it is not. Most likely, there is an attachment of the inflammatory process against the background of a decrease in immunity.
An increase in the thermometer value can be observed during active games, especially in the evening. Also, after a warm bath, it is not worth measuring the temperature, since there is a high probability of getting overestimated values.
Lower body temperature
In children, this phenomenon is often observed in the first 24 months of life. During this period, a decrease in the values of the thermometer can be affected by the environment, hypothermia, taking certain drugs, and so on.
It is worth noting that a low temperature can be no less dangerous than high. If the thermometer shows less than 36 degrees, then you should already worry and consult a doctor.
Exceptions to the Rules
There are children in whom the body temperature can be in the range from 35 to 38 degrees without any reason and disease. This is rare, but similar cases are known to medicine. Before talking about individual characteristics, it is worthwhile to conduct some examinations and make sure that the child is really completely healthy.
Summary and short conclusion
So, now you know what is the norm of body temperature in a child up to a year or older. Remember that you need to take measurements correctly and only with a working instrument. Otherwise, the obtained values may be unreliable.
Never rely on one-time data. Repeat the measurement after a few minutes if necessary. If the temperature does not fit the norm, then consult a doctor for examination and diagnosis. Do not self-medicate, because the diagnosis made by the parents is not always correct.
Follow the advice of doctors and do not get sick. Health to you and your children!