Taking Temperature

In the midst of the current pandemic, everyone is on high alert for any kind of cold or flu symptoms. To make matters worse, many families do not have access to their primary care providers as readily as before, so it is now up to us more than ever to be aware of our health, and the health of our loved ones. That is why we want to make sure every mamma feels confident in knowing when her little Babba may have a fever.   

Some of the common signs of a fever are feeling warmer than usual, sweating, a flushed face, or shivering. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) defines a normal body temperature for a child to be a range between 97 degrees Fahrenheit (F) to 100.4 degrees F. In general, the AAP considers anything over 100.4 degrees F to be a potential fever. If you suspect that your child may have a fever, it is always a good idea to check. If your child does in fact have a fever, please seek medical attention immediately.

*There are 5 main methods to taking your child's temperature:  

1. Orally: Under the tongue 

2. Axillary: Under the arm  

3. Tympanic: In the ear 

4. Rectally: In the anal opening  

5. Temporal artery: The forehead

*These are the APA’s general guidelines for which type of thermometer to use based on your child's age:  

• 0-3 months: Rectal  

• 3 months-3 years: Rectal, axillary, or tympanic  

• 4-5 yrs: Rectal, Oral, axillary, or tympanic  

• 5 yrs or older: Oral, axillary, or tympanic  

*Let’s break down the steps for using each type of thermometer (adapted from the AAP's recommendations).  

Taking Oral Temperature: 

• Wait 15 minutes after the child has been eating or drinking before taking a temperature. 

• Clean the thermometer well.  

• Turn the thermometer on, and place the tip under the tongue toward the back of your child’s mouth. 

• Hold in place until you hear a beep. 

Taking Axillary Temperature: 

• Turn on the thermometer, and place the small end in your child’s armpit (thermometer should touch skin, not clothing). 

• Gently hold the arm in place until the thermometer beeps. 

Taking Tympanic Temperature: 

• Since the ears are especially sensitive to damage, we recommend refraining from putting anything in your child’s ear whenever you can. Try choosing the other forms of temperature taking as much as possible.

• The AAP advises against using this method for infants younger than 3 months. While a tympanic thermometer provides speedy results, the device needs to be inserted at the right angle in a child’s ear to provide an accurate reading.  

• Also, it is best not to use these devices right after a child has been swimming or bathing or if they have ear pain.  

• Place a clean cover on the end of the thermometer.

• Pull the ear backward slightly, and gently place the thermometer in the ear canal.  

• Try to aim the probe toward the child’s eye on the opposite side of the head. 

• Turn on the thermometer; remove after it beeps. 

Taking Rectal Temperature: 

• Clean the end of the thermometer with rubbing alcohol or soap and water; rinse in lukewarm water and dry.  

• Apply a small amount of baby-safe lubricant  

• Place your child tummy down across your lap. Hold your child by placing your palm against his/her lower back. Or, put your child face up and bend his/her legs to the chest. Rest your free hand against the back of the thighs. 

• With the other hand, turn the thermometer on, and insert it ½ to 1 inch into the anal opening (not too far). Loosely hold the thermometer in place, keeping your hand cupped around your child’s bottom. In about a minute, when you hear the beep, remove it and check the reading. 

• Make sure to clean the thermometer well afterwards!  

• Also be sure to label it for future reference so you can avoid using it in the mouth. 

Taking Temporal Lobe Temperature

• These thermometers are among the newest on the market, and therefore there isn’t too much research on them. That being said, the research that does exist is pretty promising. Despite their high price, they have been seen to be very useful in children older than 3 months old. They are still being studied in newborns, so for now, consider trying this type of thermometer on your child after 3 months of age. Simply clean the thermometer and turn it on, then sweep it across your child’s forehead until a reading appears!

Every Cha Cha Mamma needs a good thermometer! Here are some great ones.

Axillary and Oral

Tympanic and Forehead:

Rectal

*Be sure to talk to your doctor as well about which type of thermometer he/she recommends for your child!