Baby Health Care Delivery or Pickup

For babies younger than 3, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends taking a rectal temperature for the most accurate reading. To take a rectal temperature, you should place petroleum ointment on the end of the thermometer, position the baby on its side or stomach, and hold the child still. Insert the thermometer about half an inch into the rectum until the digital thermometer displays a reading.

You can alternately place the thermometer under the baby's arm to take an axillary temperature. To do so, you must place the thermometer under the arm at a 45-degree angle and hold the arm down against the thermometer until you get a reading. 

If you have a temporal artery thermometer, you can also take your baby's temperature by placing this thermometer against the forehead. Follow the manufacturer's directions to obtain a temperature reading. Call your pediatrician for any reading greater than 100.4 degrees.

If your baby is younger than 2 months old, you should not give any medication without first consulting your pediatrician. It's generally safe to give acetaminophen to babies 2 months and older. You can give ibuprofen to babies that are 6 months or older. Choose a medication that is formulated for children, such as Infants' Tylenol. Follow the manufacturer's directions exactly for dosing.

Use a pediatric measuring device to measure the proper dose. Do not use a kitchen spoon or other household items. If you need a pediatric measuring device, you can obtain this implement from many pharmacies. If you have any questions or concerns about giving your baby medication, call and speak with your pediatrician. 

Teething can be very uncomfortable for babies. Since a baby can't tell you what's bothering him or her, you'll have to watch for signs of teething, such as drooling, whining, biting, coughing, or a teething rash on the skin. You can find several products that can help you ease some of the teething discomforts. Options that you might consider include the following:

A baby's skin is especially delicate and sensitive, and it's important to use the right products. You should bathe your baby once or twice a week with warm water and a block of gentle baby soap. Although bathing your baby in water only may seem safer, this method will actually dry out the skin. Using the right soap is soothing and nourishing. Look for a baby soap that's free of irritants such as parabens, alcohol, formaldehyde, and fragrances. Nourishing ingredients include Shea butter, aloe, and coconut oil.

When you're choosing a lotion, look for ingredients such as lanolin, petrolatum, avocado oil, jojoba oil, and safflower oil. You want a fragrance-free product with fewer ingredients and chemicals that can potentially irritate the skin.