When a young baby is acting sick it can be really scary. Sleepiness and poor appetite can be a sign of [[illness] but a fever is usually a sure warning. Newborns spend a lot of time sleeping and their appetites change almost daily so fever may be the first sign of illness that you notice. If you think that your baby is showing any signs of illness or if you think he feels warm to the touch you need to take his temperature. Any temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or more is considered a fever.http://children.webmd.com/guide/taking-babys-temperature

This page will walk you through how to take a baby's temperature. For newborn infants it is best to take a rectal temperature but once your baby is a few months old you can start taking an axillary (underarm) temperature or a tympanic (ear) temperaturehttp://children.webmd.com/guide/taking-babys-temperature. This page will walk you through the steps to take a rectal, axillary, and tympanic temperature reading.

It is important that you have the right [[thermometer]. Make sure that the instructions say it can be used as a rectal thermometer. Digital thermometers are faster and easier to read and some are designed specifically for rectal temperature taking.http://firstaid.about.com/od/children/ht/09_Rectal_Temp.htm It is important to disinfect the thermometer before and after taking your baby's temperature.

Cover the bulb of the thermometer with a water-soluable lube such as petroleum jelly.http://firstaid.about.com/od/children/ht/09_Rectal_Temp.htm This will allow the thermometer to be inserted easily. Lay the baby on his stomach. It may be easiest to lay baby face down on your lap and let his legs hang down. Spread the baby's buttocks and slowly insert the tip of the thermometer. It does not have to be inserted deeply, no more than an inch.http://firstaid.about.com/od/children/ht/09_Rectal_Temp.htmTry to keep the baby from moving too much.http://firstaid.about.com/od/children/ht/09_Rectal_Temp.htm Talk to him in a calm voice to keep him from becoming too scared.

Depending on the thermometer the time needed to get an accurate temperature will vary. You can remove a digital thermometer when it beeps. For other thermometers leave them in place for at least a minute.http://firstaid.about.com/od/childrenht09_Rectal_Temp.htm When it is time, remove the thermometer and check the temperature registered. If your baby's temperature is over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit you should call the doctor.

To take a tympanic, or ear, temperature you will need a specially designed thermometer. This special thermometer reads heat waves that are released by your baby's ear drum.http://www.thechildrenshospital.org/wellness/at_home/head/temperature.aspx To get an accurate reading you will need to hold your baby's ear in a way that straightens out his ear canal. For babies under the age of one you will just need to slighty pull his ear towards the back of his head. For children over the age of one you will need to pull the ear slightly back and up.http://www.thechildrenshospital.org/wellness/at_home/head/temperature.aspx You can then insert the tip of the thermometer and aim it towards your baby's opposite temple. Then you will need to press and hold the button to start the reading (read the instructions because your thermometer might be slightly different).Your baby's temperature should register in less than 5 seconds.http://www.thechildrenshospital.org/wellness/at_home/head/temperature.aspx

If your baby has recently been outside in a very cold or very hot environment it may take 15 minutes before you can get an accurate reading. Crying and the presence of ear wax or ear infection should not affect the reading.http://www.thechildrenshospital.org/wellness/at_home/head/temperature.aspx

When your baby is a little older you can start taking an axillary temperature. An axillary reading is taken in the armpit. To check your baby's armpit temperature you can use a digital or glass thermometer.http://www.drugs.com/cg/how-to-take-an-axillary-temperature.html

You will probably need to remove your baby's shirt. You need to make sure that there is no clothing in between the thermometer and your baby's armpit. You may need to pat his armpit dry but do not wash or rub it.http://www.drugs.com/cg/how-to-take-an-axillary-temperature.html Place the tip of the thermometer securely in baby's armpit and hold his arm tightly against his body.http://www.drugs.com/cg/how-to-take-an-axillary-temperature.html Most babies will struggle to free their arm so try to distract your baby by singing or talking to them.

A digital thermometer will usually register after a minute and should beep to let you know it's done. A glass thermometer may take up to five minutes to get an accurate axillary temperature. For both types of thermometer's you will need to add a degree to the reading to get your baby's actual temperature (since the thermometer is not inside the body it will not read as high as the other types of measurement).http://www.drugs.com/cg/how-to-take-an-axillary-temperature.html