Suzanne
Berman, M.D.
The
modern digital thermometers are faster than mercury thermometers,
don't have to be shaken down, and are much safer if bit, dropped,
or stepped on.
The
most accurate temperature measurement in infants and young
children is a rectal reading. In school-aged children, an oral
measurement is ok to use.
Axillary
(armpit) temperatures are ok to use to screen your child's
temperature, but remember they are inaccurate 33% of the time. If an axillary temperature suggests your child has a fever, get a more accurate reading by using an oral or rectal temperature.
Some
of the new ear thermometers work well if used correctly, but this takes a lot of practice. We don't recommend using the
forehead strip and forehead "wand" thermometers. They
are not really accurate at all.
Regardless
of which method you use, please don't add or subtract degrees to the
measurement. Recent evidence demonstrates that doing so, even
though it is common practice, confuses the picture. Report to us
the actual thermometer reading.
How
to take a rectal temperature
Hold the baby on his or her stomach across your lap. Let his or
her legs hang down freely. Gently insert the thermometer about 1/2" into the
baby's rectum. Hold the thermometer between two fingers as you lay the palm of
your hand across the baby's buttocks. Don't leave the baby alone with the
thermometer inserted. Leave the thermometer in for 3 minutes. Be sure to clean
the thermometer well with soap and warm water after use.
How
to take an oral temperature
Have your child sit or lay down as long as thermometer is in
his mouth. Gently insert the thermometer under your
child's tongue as far as it will comfortably go. Hold it in place (or have your
child hold it) until the reading is finished. Don't let your child talk or
breathe through his mouth. Be sure the thermometer stays under the tongue by
watching the angle of the thermometer. A correctly-placed thermometer should
point up. A thermometer that has slipped out of place will be level or point
down.
How
to take an ear (otic) temperature
Follow instructions that come with the thermometer. Remember
that, to get an accurate reading, there must be a good seal around the tip of
the thermometer, and the tip must be aimed straight toward the eardrum.
How
to take an axillary (armpit) temperature
Have your child sit or lie down. Place the tip of the
thermometer into the middle of the armpit, against the child's bare skin. (Don't
do it through your child's t-shirt or nightgown.) Hold the thermometer in place
with one hand. Keep your child's arm pressed firmly against his side with your
other hand until the reading is taken.