How often should you take a temperature?
Now it's getting curious. Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder told the Süddeutsche Zeitung this week that he takes his temperature every day. And he's not the only one. But is that even necessary?
We have actually already ticked off the topic of "fever". In the media centre on our website, there is a video and a tip to read about it. In everyday practice, however, people often ask: "How often do I need to take my baby's/toddler's temperature?" That's why I've decided to add the aspect of "taking a temperature" to the old fever topic.
It is important to us: Please do not take a temperature regularly as a ritual! It's not necessary, it stresses the child, it stresses the parents. And it leads to nothing. Instead, develop a feeling for how your child is doing. And I promise you: If your child is really so ill that the temperature is relevant and important, then you will notice it. Guaranteed. But because of other factors: Your child is much more clingy, less active, less alert, etc.
If your child is so ill and you want to check the temperature, then the following applies: measuring in the bum is the most accurate, but you don't need this precision. Measuring in the ear is accurate enough and much less struggle and agonising for the child.
But if your child is fit as a fiddle and perhaps has a little cough or a runny nose, then taking a temperature won't really help you because it simply has no medical relevance.
Further interesting tips
U3 provision
A topic for new parents or people who are about to become parents: the U3 check-up. This is usually the first check-up that takes place at the paediatrician's practice. The U1 is actually always carried out in the hospital or maternity centre, and the U2 usually takes place there too.
Constipation
Constipation is one of the most common reasons why parents come to the practice with their children. The good thing is that the problem is usually easy to solve and is rarely a symptom of an illness.
Reading - a real superpower!
Today is the nationwide Read Aloud Day. And I don't think I need to say too much more about the great importance of reading aloud. Reading is a real superpower for children. Hence the tip, the advice, the request: Take today as an opportunity to read something really nice to your child again.