🌡️Taking Your Child's Temperature: A Complete Guide
Learn the best methods for taking your child's temperature and understanding the results
Why Temperature Matters
Taking your child's temperature is one of the most important ways to monitor their health when they're sick. A fever is often the first sign of illness and can help you determine when to seek medical care. However, knowing how to take a temperature accurately and understanding what the numbers mean is crucial for proper care.
Different methods and thermometers are appropriate for different ages. This guide will help you choose the right method and interpret the results correctly.
🌡️Types of Thermometers
📱Digital Thermometers
Most accurate and recommended for all ages. Quick, easy to read, and safe.
- • Can be used orally, rectally, or underarm
- • Gives results in 10-60 seconds
- • Easy to clean and disinfect
- • Most reliable for accurate readings
👂Tympanic (Ear) Thermometers
Quick and non-invasive. Good for older children who can sit still.
- • Measures temperature in ear canal
- • Results in 1-3 seconds
- • Not recommended for infants under 6 months
- • Can be affected by earwax or ear infections
🤚Temporal Artery Thermometers
Non-contact forehead scanning. Good for quick screening.
- • Scans forehead without touching
- • Results in 1-3 seconds
- • Good for screening but may need confirmation
- • Can be affected by sweating or drafts
❌Not Recommended
These methods are not accurate or safe for children.
- • Mercury thermometers (safety risk)
- • Plastic strip thermometers (inaccurate)
- • Pacifier thermometers (unreliable)
- • Smartphone apps (not medical devices)
Best Methods by Age
👶Birth to 3 Months
Best method: Rectal temperature with digital thermometer
- • Most accurate for this age group
- • Use lubricant on thermometer tip
- • Insert only 1/2 to 1 inch
- • Call doctor for any fever (100.4°F or higher)
🧒3 Months to 3 Years
Best methods: Rectal, armpit (axillary), or temporal artery
- • Rectal is most accurate
- • Armpit is easier but less accurate
- • Temporal artery is good for screening
- • Ear thermometer can be used after 6 months
👦3 Years and Older
Best methods: Oral, ear, temporal artery, or armpit
- • Oral is most accurate if child can cooperate
- • Ear thermometer is quick and easy
- • Temporal artery is good for screening
- • Armpit is least accurate but easiest
📋Step-by-Step Instructions
Rectal Temperature:
- Clean thermometer with alcohol or soap and water
- Apply petroleum jelly to thermometer tip
- Place child on back with knees bent
- Gently insert thermometer 1/2 to 1 inch
- Hold in place until beep (about 10 seconds)
- Remove and read temperature
- Clean thermometer thoroughly
Oral Temperature:
- Clean thermometer with alcohol or soap and water
- Place thermometer under tongue toward back
- Have child close mouth and hold thermometer
- Keep in place until beep (about 30 seconds)
- Remove and read temperature
- Clean thermometer thoroughly
Armpit Temperature:
- Clean thermometer with alcohol or soap and water
- Place thermometer in center of armpit
- Hold child's arm against their body
- Keep in place until beep (about 30 seconds)
- Remove and read temperature
- Clean thermometer thoroughly
Ear Temperature:
- Clean thermometer probe with alcohol
- Gently pull ear up and back (for children over 1)
- Insert probe into ear canal
- Press button and hold until beep (1-3 seconds)
- Remove and read temperature
- Clean probe thoroughly
Understanding Temperature Readings
🌡️Normal Temperatures by Method
Rectal
Normal: 97.9°F - 100.4°F (36.6°C - 38°C)
Oral
Normal: 95.9°F - 99.5°F (35.5°C - 37.5°C)
Armpit
Normal: 94.5°F - 99.1°F (34.7°C - 37.3°C)
Ear
Normal: 96.4°F - 100.4°F (35.8°C - 38°C)
⚠️When to Call the Doctor
- •Under 3 months: Any fever (100.4°F or higher)
- •3-6 months: Fever over 101°F
- •Over 6 months: Fever over 103°F
- •Any age: Fever lasting more than 3 days
- •Any age: Fever with other concerning symptoms
💡Tips for Accurate Readings
- Wait 30 minutes after eating or drinking before taking oral temperature
- Wait 15 minutes after bathing before taking any temperature
- Use the same method consistently for tracking changes
- Take temperature at the same time of day for comparison
- Record temperatures to track patterns
- Clean thermometer between uses
- Replace thermometer batteries regularly
- Don't take temperature immediately after physical activity
❓Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I take my child's temperature?
When your child is sick, take their temperature every 4-6 hours or as directed by your doctor. If they have a high fever or seem very ill, you may want to check more frequently. Once they're feeling better, you can check less often. Always follow your pediatrician's specific instructions.
What's the difference between a fever and a high temperature?
A fever is generally considered a temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) when taken rectally, or above 99.5°F (37.5°C) when taken orally. However, what's considered a "high" fever depends on your child's age and other factors. Any temperature above 104°F (40°C) is considered a high fever and should prompt a call to your doctor.
Should I wake my child to take their temperature?
Generally, no. If your child is sleeping peacefully, let them rest. Sleep is important for recovery. However, if your child seems very ill, is breathing rapidly, or you're concerned about their condition, it's okay to gently check their temperature. Use a method that won't disturb them too much, like a temporal artery thermometer.