low temperature in 6 month old

[pukkapie]

ds has had a cough and cold for a week now. He seems to be on the mend but I decided to get a thermometer to make sure he doesn't have a fever. I took temp this evening with a digital thermometer and was surprised that hs temp is around 36c (took a few times under arm and orally) which is considered lower than normal range. If I hadn't bought the thermometer I wouldn't be worried, but I did and now I am! Anyone got any advice please? TIA

i would just wrap him up nice and warm and stick the heating on

Pukkapie - that can be normal. My DDs normal temperature is 36.0 - 36.2

Freaks the docs out when they check it but it has always been that way. Mine is too. Feel the back of his neck to assess whether he's cold. This is a much better indication.

thanks for quick response amy! The room he sleeps in is quite warm- I am usually worried about him being too warm if anything which is why I was surprised. worry, worry, worry...!

thanks WMMC, he feels 'cool' but not cold. Glad to hear it can be a normal temp, scared myself by googling as usual!

No problem, it worried me too when I discovered this.

The nape of the neck is definitely the best place to feel to check temperature because obviously it's close to his core body and that's where the heat will go if he's cold, but not somewhere that will be affected by swaddling etc.

I always worried about DD overheating too.

37 deg is just an average for example my temp is always 36.4 unless I have a really bad virus or am due a period/pregnant but then just passes 37 deg.

Under arm temps come up lower than the true core temp. 36.4 is normal for underarm. For a better reading, get an ear thermometer or take an anal reading.

Dont take an anal reading! The skin is too fragile in there.

I feel I could become obsessed if I buy more thermometers for rectal/ear readings! Seems a few people on here recognise 36c as 'normal', so I wonder why it is not oficially in normal range?

'Normal' core temp is 37 but you wont get a completely accurate reading with an underarm thermometer. Ear thermometers are better.

It is within a normal range it varies from person to person like blood pressure, textbooks say normal is 120/80 but some people run at a BP of 80/50 and that is normal for them and up to 145/85 would also be in an acceptable range.

Indeed, you are right. My point is though that a digital thermometer will give you a reading that is lower than the actual core temp. Ear thermometers are more accurate (and more expensive ).

Laylaandsethsmum has just reminded me of my favourite joke:

What's the difference between and oral and rectal thermometer?

(wait for it)

The taste