Taking Your Child's Temperature
By: Amanda Damon CPNP
You may remember when a glass mercury thermometer was once the best way to obtain a temperature. Today, mercury thermometers are no longer recommended by the AAP because they can break, allowing mercury to vaporize and be inhaled. This can cause serious problems if ingested or exposed to your child. (Note: If you still have an old-fashioned glass thermometer around the house, you'll want to dispose of it properly. Check online to find the nearest household hazardous waste site.)
We recommend one of the following options:
AGE MATTERS:
The best place to insert the thermometer is most dependent on your child's age.
How it's done
When to see a doctor Your child has a fever if he or she:
In general, contact your child's doctor if:
When reporting a temperature to your child's doctor, be sure to give the reading and explain how the temperature was taken.
TIPS:
#1 RULE: If your baby feels warm, and is not acting like themselves, even if the thermometer is reading normal, they should be evaluated by a your healthcare provider. Better safe than sorry!
By: Amanda Damon CPNP
You may remember when a glass mercury thermometer was once the best way to obtain a temperature. Today, mercury thermometers are no longer recommended by the AAP because they can break, allowing mercury to vaporize and be inhaled. This can cause serious problems if ingested or exposed to your child. (Note: If you still have an old-fashioned glass thermometer around the house, you'll want to dispose of it properly. Check online to find the nearest household hazardous waste site.)
We recommend one of the following options:
- Digital thermometers. These thermometers use electronic heat sensors to record body temperature. They can be used in the rectum (rectal), mouth (oral) or armpit (axillary). If you choose to use a digital thermometer, we recommended obtaining one designated for rectal and another for oral/axillary. Axillary or Armpit temperatures, however, are typically the least accurate of the three.
- Digital ear thermometers.These thermometers use an infrared ray to measure the temperature inside the ear canal. Keep in mind that earwax or curved ear canals can interfere with the accuracy of an ear thermometer temperature.
- Digital pacifier thermometer. This is not the most accurate way to obtain a temperature and therefore this method is not recommended. If you choose to use this method, the pacifier must remain in the child's mouth for >3 minutes. Your child sucks on the pacifier until the peak temperature is recorded.
- Temporal artery thermometers. These thermometers use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature of the temporal artery in the forehead. They are also not the most accurate and are expensive to purchase.
AGE MATTERS:
The best place to insert the thermometer is most dependent on your child's age.
- Birth to 3 months. Use a regular digital thermometer to take a rectal temperature. This is the most accurate reading and is necessary to obtain during these first critical months of life.
- 3 months to 4 years. Research has shown that a rectal temperature provides the best readings for children up to age 3. In this age range you can also use a digital thermometer to take an armpit temperature, a temporal artery thermometer or a digital pacifier thermometer. However, wait until your baby is at least 6 months old to use a digital ear thermometer. If you use another type of thermometer to take a young child's temperature and you're in doubt about the results, take a rectal temperature.
- 4 years and older. By age 4, most kids can hold a digital thermometer under the tongue for the short time it takes to get a temperature reading. You can also use a regular digital thermometer to take an armpit temperature, a temporal artery thermometer or a digital ear thermometer.
How it's done
- Rectal temperature. Turn on the digital thermometer and lubricate the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly. Lay your baby or child on his or her back, lift his or her thighs, and insert the lubricated thermometer 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 centimeters) into the rectum. Stop if you feel any resistance. Hold the thermometer in place until the thermometer signals that it's done. Remove the thermometer and read the number. Inserting anything into your baby's rectum can stimulate his bowels, so don't be surprised if he poops when you take the thermometer out. Clean the thermometer with soapy water or rubbing alcohol, then rinse and dry before storing.
- Oral temperature. Turn on the digital thermometer. Place the tip of the thermometer under your child's tongue and ask your child to keep his or her lips closed. Remove the thermometer when it signals that it's done and read the number. If your child has been eating or drinking, wait at least 30 minutes to take his or her temperature by mouth. If your child is too congested to breathe through his or her nose, you might need to use another method.
- Armpit temperature. Turn on the digital thermometer. When you place the thermometer under your child's armpit, make sure it touches skin — not clothing. Hold the thermometer tightly in place, with the armpit closed around it until the thermometer signals that it's done. Remove the thermometer and read the number. This reading is typically lower than the rectal temperature.
- Ear temperature. Turn on the thermometer. Gently place the thermometer in your child's ear. Follow the directions that come with thermometer to ensure you insert the thermometer the proper distance into the ear canal. Hold the thermometer tightly in place until the thermometer signals that it's done. Remove the thermometer and read the number. Remember the wrong angle or too much ear wax can cause an inaccurate reading.
- Temporal artery temperature. Turn on the thermometer. Gently sweep the thermometer across your child's forehead. Remove the thermometer and read the number.
When to see a doctor Your child has a fever if he or she:
- Has a rectal, ear or temporal artery temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher
- Has a pacifier or oral temperature of 100 F (37.8C) or higher
- Has an armpit temperature of 99 F (37.2 C) or higher
In general, contact your child's doctor if:
- 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).
- Your child is age 6 to 24 months and has a temperature higher than 102 F (38.9 C) that lasts longer than one day but shows no other symptoms. (If your child also has other symptoms, such as a cold, cough or diarrhea, you might call your child's doctor sooner based on their severity.)
When reporting a temperature to your child's doctor, be sure to give the reading and explain how the temperature was taken.
TIPS:
- Do not take you baby's temperature after a bath or after they have been swaddled for a long period of time, wait at least 20 minutes for an accurate reading
- Children are ready to have their temperature's taken orally once they are able to understand and use a straw for drinking--the concept is the same! (Around the age of 4 years old)
- Before and after each use, clean the tip of the thermometer with rubbing alcohol or soap and lukewarm water.
- Disposable sleeves are not recommended for in-home use. You may have seen them used in the hospital or clinic setting for sanitary use but they are not necessary in the home setting and can cause inaccurate readings when used rectally.
#1 RULE: If your baby feels warm, and is not acting like themselves, even if the thermometer is reading normal, they should be evaluated by a your healthcare provider. Better safe than sorry!