Thermometer basics: Taking your child's temperature

September, 25th, 2024

, , ,

If your child feels warm or seems under the weather, it’s probably time to take his or her temperature. Sounds simple enough — but if you’re new to it, you might have questions. Which type of thermometer is best? Are thermometer guidelines different for babies and older children? Here’s what you need to know to take your child’s temperature.

Thermometer options

A glass mercury thermometer was once a staple in most medicine cabinets. Today, mercury thermometers aren’t recommended because they can break and allow mercury to vaporize and be inhaled. When choosing a thermometer, consider these 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). Armpit temperatures are typically the least accurate of the three.
• Digital ear thermometers (tympanic membrane). These thermometers use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature inside the ear canal. Keep in mind that earwax or a small, curved ear canal can interfere with the accuracy of an ear thermometer temperature.
• Temporal artery thermometers. These thermometers use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature of the temporal artery in the forehead. This type of thermometer can be used even while a child is asleep.

Digital pacifier thermometers and fever strips are not recommended.

Safety tips

Carefully read the instructions that come with the thermometer. Before and after each use, clean the tip of the thermometer following the instructions for your particular thermometer. If you plan to use a digital thermometer to take a rectal temperature, get another digital thermometer for oral use. Label each thermometer, and don’t use the same thermometer in both places.

For safety — and to make sure the thermometer stays in place — never leave your child unattended while you’re taking his or her temperature.

Age guidelines

The best type of thermometer — or the best place to insert the thermometer, in some cases — depends on your child’s age.

• Birth to 3 months. Use a regular digital thermometer to take a rectal temperature. New research suggests that a temporal artery thermometer might also provide accurate readings in newborns.
• 3 months to 4 years. In this age range you can use a digital thermometer to take a rectal or an armpit temperature or you can use a temporal artery 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 an oral temperature reading. You can also use a digital thermometer to take an armpit temperature, or use 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. Alternatively, you can place your child on his or her belly on your lap or other firm surface. If you put your child belly down, put your hand against his or her lower back to hold the child in place.

  Never try to force a rectal thermometer past any resistance. Hold the thermometer in place until the thermometer signals that it’s done. Remove the thermometer and read the number.

• Oral temperature. Turn on the digital thermometer. Place the tip of the thermometer under your child’s tongue toward the back of the mouth 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 15 minutes to take his or her temperature by mouth.
• Armpit temperature. Turn on the digital thermometer. When you place the thermometer under your child’s armpit, make sure it touches skin — not clothing. While the device reads your child’s temperature, hug your child, keeping the side holding the thermometer against your chest. Keep the thermometer tightly in place until the thermometer signals that it’s done. Remove the thermometer and read the number.
• Ear temperature. Turn on the thermometer. Gently place the thermometer in your child’s ear. Follow the directions that come with the 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.
• Temporal artery temperature. Turn on the thermometer. Gently sweep the thermometer across your child’s forehead. Remove the thermometer and read the number.

When reporting a temperature to your child’s doctor, give the reading and explain how the temperature was taken.

When to see a doctor

A fever is a common sign of illness, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, fevers seem to play a key role in fighting infections. If your child is older than age 6 months and is drinking plenty of fluids, sleeping well and continuing to play, there’s usually no need to treat the fever.

If you want to give your child medication to treat a fever, stick to acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) until age 6 months. However, for children younger than age 3 months, don’t give acetaminophen until your baby has been seen by a doctor. Never give more acetaminophen than recommended on the label for your child. Be aware that some combination over-the-counter medications might contain acetaminophen as an ingredient.

If your child is age 6 months or older, ibuprofen (Advil, Children’s Motrin, others) is OK, too. Read the label carefully for proper dosage. Don’t use aspirin to treat a fever in anyone age 18 years or younger.

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 an oral temperature of 100 F (37.8 C) or higher
• Has an armpit temperature of 99 F (37.2 C) or higher

Keep in mind that an armpit temperature might not be accurate. If you’re in doubt about an armpit temperature reading, use another method to confirm the results.

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 signs. If your child has other signs, such as a cold, cough or diarrhea, you might call your child’s doctor sooner based on the severity of the other signs.