When your child is sick and he begins to feel warm to the touch, you can use a thermometer to take and monitor his temperature and remain alert if he develops a fever. There are different types of thermometers that work well with children. According to the Mayo Clinic you will know if your child has a fever if his temperature reading is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, when he is younger than three months old. For children older than three months, the temperature that is considered a fever is any reading over 102 degrees Fahrenheit and he seems uncomfortable and lethargic.
Rectal Reading.
Step 1
Turn on your digital thermometer and use petroleum jelly to lubricate the tip. Rectal thermometer readings are recommended for babies, since it is difficult to have the thermometer remain in place under their tongue or armpit and also because it will give the most accurate temperature readings for infants, according to the article "Thermometer basics: Taking your child's temperature," by the Mayo Clinic.
Step 2
Lay your baby face up and lift her thighs to insert the digital thermometer up to one inch into her rectum. Do not go further if you feel any resistance as this may hurt your child.
Step 3
Hold the thermometer in your child's rectum until it signals it's finished taking his temperature. Make sure to keep your child's thighs lifted in order for the thermometer to remain as still as possible during the temperature reading.
Step 4
Remove the thermometer and read the number on the screen.
Armpit or Oral Reading
Step 1
Wait at least 15 minutes after your child has had a drink or food to take her temperature orally.
Step 2
Turn your digital thermometer on and place it under your kid's armpit making contact with her skin---or place it under her tongue.
Step 3
Have your child press down his arm to hold the thermometer tightly in place for armpit readings or to keep the thermometer under his tongue and keep his lips closed for at least one minute and remove it to read the number.
Ear Reading
Step 1
Turn on your tympanic thermometer or ear thermometer. Only use this type of thermometer if you are sure your child has clean ears because earwax may interfere with the accuracy of the temperature reading.
Step 2
Insert the probe tip of the thermometer into your child's external ear canal by pulling his earlobe down and hold firmly to seal the opening.
Step 3
Press the scan button on the thermometer and remove from your child's ear once it beeps.
Step 4
Read the temperature on the screen. The Mayo Clinic considers tympanic thermometers to be less accurate than digital thermometers used in the rectum, armpit and mouth.
Tips and Warnings
- Your child's fever is the way her body fights any present infection in her body and is not in itself harmful to her. However high fevers may cause dehydration, according to Kids Health and should be monitored.
Things You'll Need
- Digital thermometer
- Petroleum jelly
- Tympanic thermometer
