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Thermometer basics: Taking your child's temperature

Age matters, too

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. For newborns, use a regular digital thermometer to take a rectal temperature. Turn on the digital thermometer and lubricate the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly. Lay your baby on his or her back, lift your baby's thighs, and insert the lubricated thermometer 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 centimeters) into your baby's rectum. Stop if you feel any resistance. Hold the thermometer in place for about a minute or until the thermometer signals that it's done. Remove the thermometer and read the number.
  • 3 months to 4 years. For older infants and toddlers, you can use a digital ear thermometer, a digital pacifier thermometer or a temporal artery thermometer. Carefully follow the instructions that came with your thermometer. You can also use a regular digital thermometer to take a rectal temperature or an armpit temperature. To take an armpit temperature, first 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 for about a minute or until the thermometer signals that it's done. Remove the thermometer and read the number.
  • 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. 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 15 minutes to take his or her temperature by mouth. If your child is too congested to breathe through his or her nose, you may need to take an armpit or rectal temperature — or use a digital ear thermometer.

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 1 and is drinking plenty of fluids, sleeping well and continuing to play, there's usually no reason to treat a fever.

If you want to give your child medication to treat a fever, stick to acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) until age 6 months. If your child is age 6 months or older, ibuprofen (Advil, 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.

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
  • Is older than age 3 months, has a temperature up to 102 F (38.9 C) and seems unusually irritable, lethargic or uncomfortable
  • Is older than age 3 months and has a temperature of 102 F (38.9 C) or higher that doesn't respond to over-the-counter medication or lasts longer than one day

When reporting a temperature to your child's doctor, give the actual reading and state how the temperature was taken. Don't add or subtract numbers from the reading depending on where the thermometer was placed.

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References
  1. How to take your child's temperature. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://patiented.aap.org/content.aspx?aid=6368. Accessed Jan. 15, 2010.
  2. Shelov SP, et al. Caring For Your Baby And Young Child: Birth To Age 5. New York, N.Y.: Bantam; 2009:747.
  3. Bobb B, et al. Fever and sweats. In: Walsh D, et al. Palliative medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/171587449-4/0/2038/167.html?tocnode=57251154&fromURL=167.html. Accessed Nov. 16, 2009.
  4. Powell KR. Fever. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/171587449-4/0/1608/510.html?tocnode=54478711&fromURL=510.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50176-6_3974. Accessed Nov. 16, 2009.
  5. How to take a child's temperature. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/fever/Pages/How-to-Take-a-Childs-Temperature.aspx. Accessed Feb. 12, 2010.
  6. Holzhauer JK, et al. Evaluation of temporal artery thermometry in children 3-36 months old. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing. 2009;14:239.
  7. Medications used to treat a fever. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/fever/pages/Medications-Used-to-Treat-Fever.aspx. Accessed Feb. 12, 2010.
  8. Braun CA. Accuracy of pacifier thermometers in young children. Pediatric Nursing. 2006;32:413.
  9. Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 15, 2010.
HQ01481 May 8, 2010

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