Rectal or forehead temps are accurate. An ear thermometer can be used after 6 months old. An armpit temp is good for screening if it is taken right. Digital electronic thermometers are easily found in stores. They do not cost very much. They can be used for rectal and armpit temps. Most of them give an accurate temp in 10 seconds or less. The AAP suggests you replace any glass thermometer in the house with one of these products. Another way is on the back with the legs pulled up to the chest. Put some petroleum jelly on the end of the thermometer and the anus.
Slide the thermometer gently into the anus no more than 1 inch. That means until you can no longer see the silver tip. Be gentle. There should not be any resistance. If there is, stop. Hold your child still. Leave a digital thermometer in until it beeps about 10 seconds. Your child has a fever if the rectal temp is above Warning: do not take rectal temperatures in young children with leukemia or other cancers. Also avoid in other children with weak immune systems such as organ transplant, HIV or sickle cell disease.
Make sure the armpit is dry. Close the armpit by holding the elbow against the chest. Do this until it beeps about 10 seconds. The tip of the thermometer must stay covered by skin. Also, if your baby is sweaty, this may also alter the accuracy of the reading. The ear thermometer is also known as the tympanic thermometer. Fast Many brands merely take seconds to get a reading using the ear thermometer. It, therefore, saves parents their time. And although it is intrusive, it doesn't need to be in the ear for long.
Accurate If inserted correctly in the ear canal, the ear thermometer gives a very accurate reading and is, therefore, a reliable way of picking your baby's temperature.
Parents often have to pull their babies ears and tilt their little heads to access the ear canal, a process most babies find downright uncomfortable and if they squirm around it can effect the reliability of the reading. Can't be used if the baby has an ear infection If your child has an ear infection or a lot of wax in their ears, the reading taken using an ear thermometer may be greatly altered.
Each of these two infrared thermometers have their pros and cons. As discussed, the ear thermometer may provide extremely accurate readings with older children who do not mind feeling the thermometer in their ears.
For parents with younger children, the forehead thermometer is ideal as it is gentle and non-intrusive. The answer is that one is not better than the other, they are simply suited for different children. But what of households that have both older children and infants?
Do such parents have to buy multiple thermometers? Is there a thermometer that can be used for children of all ages? A 5-time winner of the Mother and Baby best thermometer award, here are some features mums love:.
Stores the previous 32 readings for your reference can also store readings for different children. There you have it! Whichever thermometer you choose, it is sure to help you along your parenting journey! Alternatively, you can place your child on his or her belly on your lap or other firm surface.
If you put your child belly down, put your hand against his or her lower back to hold the child in place. Never try to force a rectal thermometer past any resistance.
Hold the thermometer in place until the thermometer signals that it's done. Remove the thermometer and read the number. When reporting a temperature to your child's doctor, give the reading and explain how the temperature was taken.
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 6 months and is drinking plenty of fluids, sleeping well and continuing to play, there's usually no need to treat the fever. If you want to give your child medication to treat a fever, stick to acetaminophen Tylenol, others until age 6 months.
However, for children younger than age 3 months, don't give acetaminophen until your baby has been seen by a doctor. Never give more acetaminophen than recommended on the label for your child. Be aware that some combination over-the-counter medications might contain acetaminophen as an ingredient.
Read the label carefully for proper dosage. Don't use aspirin to treat a fever in anyone age 18 years or younger. Keep in mind that an armpit temperature might not be accurate. If you're in doubt about an armpit temperature reading, use another method to confirm the results.
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