hats on babies - Page 2

[flapjack]

Curious- do most of you check baby's temperature after birth? (you know, an hour or so down the track?) DD was born in the aforementioned freezing cold room and was hatted (twice- the first one wouldn't fit) as well as being snuggled straight in next to me and wrapped in towels. Even with this, her temperature went straight down to 36.0 by the time she was half an hour old- apparently this was JUST above the point where we needed to consider transferring.

[pamamidwife]

I don't check a baby's temp at all, unless there was something serious going on. Even then, if it was serious, we'd be headed to the hospital.

We know that baby's temperature fluctuates alot. Axillary temps (under the arm) are not accurate after birth, neither is ear (simply because of the vernix buildup, etc).

And I would never even consider doing a rectal temp on a baby.

We just don't know what is normal overall for babies. Three different people could tell you three different temps.

When baby is skin to skin, unless there are serious issues, there will not be a danger of temperature regulation. Keep in mind I'm talking about skin to skin - not baby in blankets/towels in mom's arms.

[sevenkids]

I check temps, because they have to be written down. But mostly I look at the baby, if the baby is pale, s/he's too cold, if the baby is bright red, s/he's too hot, and if the baby is pink, s/he's just right. (said Goldilocks) Between 96.6 and 98.4 F is about right, axillary temps will be about a degree lower than oral and two degrees lower than rectal.

Ear thermometers aren't accurate because the ear canal is too small and it curves until they're about 2 years old. Digital thermometers aren't all that great either. I use an old fashioned mercury thermometer, which takes a full five minutes. PITA, I know, but it can be done while baby nurses.

Rectal temps aren't something I'd do normally, but I wouldn't rule it out if it could make the difference between mistakenly transporting a healthy baby or mistakenly keeping a sick one home. I have a dusty mercury rectal thermometer too, I think I've used it once.