Juicy!

My husband and I decided to hold a get together this past Saturday night.  Everyone seemed to have had good time.  Lots of people, lots of laughter, lots of wine, lots of food, and lots of chips.  No, not tortilla chips.  I’m talking about poker chips. 

It was our first poker night since I gave birth to our little man - Juicy Fruit.  We held a few of them in our pre-baby days.  So it seems like a long time since we had a party of any kind.  But I think it went rather well.  Everyone really did seem to have had a lot of fun.   Well, everyone except Juicy Fruit. 

Every time the group jumps up and screams because the river card gave someone a nice flush, Juicy Fruit would jump himself.  But he didn’t laugh like everyone else.  Rather, he cried.  The unfamiliar faces and the sudden burst of noise scares him.  I would have to carry him into his nursery to calm him down.

By 9 pm, he was tired.  I tried to put him to sleep in his crib, but he simply would not fall asleep.  Usually, he’s ok if left alone in his crib if he has his pacifier in his mouth.  But Saturday night, he wouldn’t even let me leave the room.  He was scared.  Can he really be a scaredy cat at 7 months?

I had to hold him in my arms and rock him to bed that night.  He would suddenly wake up at the sound of everyone’s screams in the living room, but would fall right back asleep as soon as he knew I was still holding him. 

It wasn’t until around midnight did he finally fall into a deep sleep.  By then, it was too late for me to enjoy the party.  The guests were starting to leave.  I guess that’s why Juicy Fruit was finally able to sleep.  The noise level came down dramatically.  No more sudden screams. 

Perhaps having a poker night wasn’t that great of an idea after all.  Not with Juicy Fruit around anyway.  Maybe I can try Mafia night next time instead.  At least that will be constant screaming instead of the sudden “Oh’s” and “Ah’s” from poker.

It seems as if many parents automatically think that their baby has a fever when his temperature runs at 99 Degrees. Although it is a good indicator that your baby is warm, it does not necessarily mean he has a fever. Furthermore, 98.6 Degrees is not necessarily the “normal” temperature either.

There are many things that can affect the body temperature. For instance, if your baby just had some water, his temperature may be a bit cooler. Or if he is wearing too much clothing, his temperature may be a few degrees higher as well.

The level of activity can also affect the body temperature. If your baby has been active, his body temperature will most likely be a bit higher than “normal.”

Another factor could be the type of thermometer you are using to measure your baby’s temperature.  There are three types of thermometers: rectal, oral/tympanic (ear), or under the arm.  Different parts of the body can exhibit different temperatures.  If you use a rectal thermometer, expect to see a higher temperature than if you were to use an under the arm kind.

So if there are many things that can affect the body temperature, then exactly what is considered a “normal” temperature?  And how can you tell if your baby has a fever?

Before you take the baby’s temperature, make sure your baby has not had anything to drink, eat, bathed, and limit his physical activity 15 minutes prior to taking his temperature.  Your child has a fever if his temperature exceeds:

• 100.4 Degrees if  using a rectal thermometer,
• 99.8 Degrees if using an oral or tympanic thermometer, or
• 99.0 Degrees if using an under the arm thermometer.

If your child’s temperature exceeds the above temperatures, take note of the time and day you measured the temperature and contact your pediatrician.

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