HELP before I go to bed. Ill 7mo DS has temp of 34.8C which seems low, Should I be worrying?

[HolidaysQueen]

7mo DS has a stuffed up nose and at several points throughout the day has been really clammy. He was really grumpy and then really upset between about 2pm and 6pm which is very unusual as he is such a happy boy, but then happy for the hour before bed.

He has had less solids than normal but milk feeds have been fine.

However, his temp at about 5pm was 35.5C which seemed low and I've just taken it now and it is 34.8C which seems really low, and now I'm getting worried.

It seems lower than normal (thought that was around 37C) and you never hear about low temperatures, just fevers, so I'm not sure if it is a problem or not. Can I just leave him for the night or do I need to see a doctor?

Sorry having a panic as it's the first time he's been ill and DH is out at a work thing so I'm on my own at the moment

How did you take his temperature? A forehead strip? In his ear? Under his arm?

in his ear - braun thermometer

Hmm. Check it again.

ok, i would be getting him into the nearest health centre... call nhs direct asap but make moves to pack things and head off- don't take any risks with this as he's still very little and the worst that can happen is he's ok.

abnormally low body temperature in a baby can be a sign of something very serious so don't muck about.

35.5 this time

has some old readings on there when i was paranoid but he was fine - normally around 37.5

seriously- that's still at hypothermia reading so i would get him to hospital ASAP. Seriously, please go now and call on the way.

Low temp shouldn't be ignored.

They can go quite low in some children, especially at night. A low temp is normally nothing to worry about as long as they are bright and alert.

It sounds like he's coming down with something. Phone NHS direct if you are concerned.

It's not hyperthermia. There's always an external cause to this, like being trapped in the snow or being very cold through no heating. People (and babies) don't just turn hyperthermic.

Pop some socks on him though.

Has it gone up yet?

try the themometer in your own ear to check it
if it's not in properly then it won't read correctly

is the battery ok?

just spoken with nhs direct. they took history then got me to check him for blueness etc. he is fine apart from snuffles and low temp and feeling a bit cool to the touch (but not clammy unlike earlier)

he's high priority so a nurse will call me back shortly.

he seemed okay in himself at 11pm feed - sleepy as usual but fed well

he has two layers plus 2.5tog grobag, but i might go and sneak some socks on too and put heating back on

i'm just going to sit in his room and keep an eye on him until DH gets home / nurse calls back.

thanks all for being here and responding so quickly.

blinks - not ignoring you but just going to wait for call back and DH first so i can get a little calmer.

anything under 36.5 is medically classified as HYPOTHERMIA.

hypothermia can be caused by many things including hypothyroidism, infection, carbon monoxide poisoning.

low temp in babies can be more serious than a high temp so I urge the OP to go to a medical centre/hospital asap.

i wouldn't take a risk with this.

i must admit, it has never occured to me to be worried about low temp

sorry it's under 35 which it fell to according to the OP...

low/normal is 36.5, under 35 is hypothermia.

it's ok holidaysqueen, i'm actually starting training for NHS direct so i know they will handle this well.

taken it a couple more times in each ear. just above 35 now. hopefully 34.8 was a bit of a rogue temperature but still pretty low

just seen your profile, your ds is so sweet!

hope you have a restful night

Have you tried it in your ear to make sure it's working correctly?

hopefully it's just an infection causing the dip but you're doing the right thing...

yep tried my ear - i'm 36.6 which is fairly normal for me (i always seem to have a low temp) but i'm only wearing a vest top and feeling a bit chilly!

It does sound like he's coming down with something. Temps do normally dip at night anyway but it's best to get it checked as it is lower than normal. Is he breathing ok? Fontinelle OK and not pulsating?

just checked him again. his breathing is very snuffly due to his blocked nose but it's even and not rapid. his temp is 35.1 at the moment.

he looks angelic and keeps twitching when i check his temp

i'm not imminently worried but will feel better when i talk to the nurse. dh will be home in 10 mins.

fontanelle okay too

No rashes?

not stripped him to check his chest but nothing on his face.

god it's horrid, isn't it? i've been dreading the first time he was ill. he's had a couple of snuffles and a bit of a virus but this is the first time i've felt i should actually worry iyswim.