AIBU? Child’s temperature

[CaffeineChaosandCuddles]

Hi, I made a post a few days ago about my daughter having a high temperature for 6 days. She’s 5, and just got over a horrendous viral infection. Her last high fever was Monday, so 3 days have passed. She’s back to normal.

however, we are experiencing the opposite, last night and tonight I’ve taken her temperature once she’s been a sleep for a few hours & her core temp ( via ear thermometer) is low? Like 35.0-35.8.

tbh, I never take her temperature at night but I’ve become obsessed since she’s been poorly, I have health anxiety.

our of interest I checked my little boys temperature and he’s is also around 35.5!!!!

im worried about hypothermia, something else wrong with her? - but his being the same has reassured me a little bit.

they’re both in pjs, long sleeve long bottoms, she’s got a thick duvet and a blanket and he is in a sleeping bag, the heating was on so it’s still 21 degrees upstairs, no windows are open.

has anyone else experienced similar?

AIBU worrying so much.

To add* she feels a little clammy & her hands and feet, body feel toasty? So I’m confused!

stop taking her temperature. If she’s cold, she will likely wake up and tell you. They’re plenty warm enough

It is likely the thermometer is broken! Please keep the room temp to 16-20 and follow NHS/Lullaby trust safe sleep guidance. If worried, you can use paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time.

sounds like thermometer could be faulty?

What sort of thermometer are you using and where are you taking the temperature?

Kids’ core temp can sometime go surprisingly low at that age, I found. If they seem warm to touch, have the right amount of bedclothes on in a room that’s at a normal room temperature and are not ill and okay in themselves, I wouldn’t be too worried.

It’s fine for me? It’s showing 36.8 for me and my husband and was fine for my son during the day ( we’ve been told to keep an eye on his temp by 111 and he has a horrible spot, so they’re monitoring for infections but with being Christmas they told us to see a pharmacist tomorrow instead)

Ear

I've been there with obsessively checking their temperature, especially when they've been poorly. I've also been there with their temperature dipping low after the fever has stopped. I called 111 when DS was 1 and they weren't overly concerned as skin not mottled and feet were warm.

I try not to check when their sleeping unless their grumbling in their sleep, breathing unusual or feel particularly hot as really sleep is best and regardless of the reading I won't be waking them up.

Are they sleeping with their heads to one side? I would expect the uppermost ear to read lower at night as our bodies are often cooler when we're asleep. I know my little one's forehead temp is often around the 35.5 mark at night but his chest reads around 36.5. When he truly had a low temp his body core felt cold to the touch and you have said your little one feels warm so I wouldn't be worried about it.

Yes the uppermost ear ( one not against the pillow ) was 35.0 and the one against the pillow when I rolled her over, the sweaty one- was 36.5! 🤷🏻‍♀️ but it did come down when it became the uppermost ear 😫

Stop taking their temperatures and use your common sense and instinct. Go by how well they are in themselves. How well they are eating/sleeping/playing/going to the toilet etc.

Sometimes when you're fighting a virus your temp can read a little on the low side - mine is always lower before it spikes when I'm feeling unwell. Easy to say to someone with health anxiety but try not to worry about it. They don't have hypothermia.