Search results
The best way to take a temperature in infants and young children is by taking a rectal temperature. Don't worry — it's a simple and safe process. First: If your baby has had a bath or has been under blankets or in multiple layers (or swaddled, if an infant), wait about 20–30 minutes to take the temperature. Use a digital thermometer.
People also ask
How do I take a rectal temperature?
Can a rectal thermometer hurt a child?
When can a child stop using a rectal thermometer?
How do you take a temperature in a baby?
- Overview
- Which type of thermometer to use at different ages
- How to take a child’s temperature
- What is considered a fever?
- When to call a doctor
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
A person can take a child’s temperature in several ways. The most effective method depends on the age of the child.
An accurate temperature reading can help parents and caregivers assess their child’s fever to decide whether they should seek medical help.
Using the same method each time is the most accurate way to determine how much a child’s temperature has changed between readings. This is because different methods may provide readings that are slightly lower or higher.
This article explains thermometer types, how to take a child’s temperature, what temperature a fever is, and when to see a doctor.
Several thermometer types are available for children of varying ages.
Pacifier thermometers and forehead strips may not be accurate. They can function as screening tools, but the readings they give may differ from the child’s actual temperature.
The same is true for axillary readings, taken by placing a thermometer under a child’s armpit.
Glass mercury thermometers can break and leak, so they are not a safe choice for children or the environment.
Rectal
A rectal temperature is the most accurate, particularly for infants age 3 months or younger. Labeling a thermometer for rectal use ensures that no one will use it for an oral temperature reading. Here is how to use it: 1.Apply a small amount of lubricant, such as petroleum jelly, on the end of a digital thermometer. 2.Position the child on their belly or on their back with their legs folded against their chest. 3.With the thermometer powered on, gently insert it 1.3–2.5 centimeters (0.5–1.0 inch) into the child’s rectum. Stop if there is resistance. 4.Hold the thermometer in place until it beeps, then gently remove it. 5.Read the temperature and repeat if required.
Oral
Designate a thermometer for oral use only and label it accordingly, so that nobody uses it for a rectal reading. An oral thermometer is useful only if a child can close their mouth as instructed and keep it closed for the time required to obtain a reading. Here is how to use it: 1.Wait 15–30 minutes after a child has eaten or drank. 2.Turn on the thermometer. 3.Place it under the child’s tongue, on one side and toward the back of the mouth. 4.Instruct them to close their mouth without biting, and to keep their lips together. 5.Hold the thermometer in place until it beeps, then remove it from the child’s mouth. 6.Read the temperature and repeat if required.
Tympanic
Young infants have narrow ear canals, so the tympanic temperature method is better for children age 6 months or older. Here is how to use it: •Wait at least 15 minutes after a child has come indoors if they were outside. •Turn on the thermometer. •For a child under 1 year of age, pull the outer ear back. •For a child over 1 year of age, pull the outer ear back and up. •Gently insert the thermometer probe into the outer ear canal. •Hold the thermometer in place until it beeps, then remove it from the ear. •Read the temperature and repeat if required.
The typical range for a child’s body temperature is 96.8–100.3°F (36–37.9°C).
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher means the child has a fever.
Fever is not a condition itself. Instead, it is usually a sign that a person’s body is responding to something else. A child’s temperature can increase for a variety of reasons.
They may have a viral or bacterial infection such as:
•a common cold
•a urinary tract infection (UTI)
A child with a fever should seek medical attention if they have:
•a temperature higher than 102°F (39°C)
•a temperature higher than 100.4°F (38°C) and are under 3 months of age
•a fever that comes and goes
•a seizure
•a fever lasting 4 days or longer
Do you add a degree when taking a temperature under the tongue?
When someone takes them correctly, oral temperatures are accurate and do not need adjustments.
Do you add 1 degree under the armpit?
Axillary temperatures may be lower than readings from other methods. A child’s core body temperature is generally higher than a reading obtained from under the armpit.
How to take a child’s temperature can depend on the age of the child. For example, children younger than age 4 years should not use an oral thermometer.
Common methods for taking a child’s temperature include rectal, oral, ear, and forehead.
- Nancy Lovering
Mar 18, 2023 · This article provides step-by-step instructions for how to use a rectal thermometer. It also details what different temperatures may mean, co-occurring symptoms that warrant a call or visit to the healthcare provider, and how to treat a fever in infants and children.
Nov 11, 2022 · Your child is younger than age 3 months and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher. Your child is age 3 to 6 months and has a temperature up to 102 F (38.9 C) and seems unusually irritable, lethargic or uncomfortable, or has a temperature higher than 102 F (38.9 C).
Rectal temperature. Taking a rectal temperature gives the best reading, especially for infants under 3 months of age. Here is how to take a rectal temperature: Put a small amount of lubricant, such as petroleum jelly, on the end of the thermometer and on your child's bottom.
How to Take a Child’s Temperature. A child's temperature can be taken from the rectum, ear, mouth, forehead, or armpit. It can be taken with a digital thermometer. Digital thermometers are easier to use and give much quicker readings (and usually give a signal when they are ready).
Nov 20, 2022 · The best way to take a temperature in infants and young children is by taking a rectal temperature. Don't worry — it's a simple and safe process. First: If your baby has had a bath or has been under blankets or in multiple layers (or swaddled, if an infant), wait about 20–30 minutes to take the temperature. Use a digital thermometer.
