How to take your baby’s temperature

When your baby has a heat brow or neck, it’s time to take their temperature. But how will you be sure you get probably the most correct studying?

Below, we’ll go over what sort of thermometer you need to use when your baby is exhibiting indicators of a fever and the way to take their temperature with it.

The finest baby thermometer by age: Here’s a fast information

It could shock you, however the perfect thermometer to use and the perfect technique for taking your baby’s temperature is dependent upon their age. The finest means to take your baby’s temperature adjustments at about 6 months previous.

The finest thermometer for newborns to 6 months previous

A digital thermometer that can be utilized rectally is the perfect. That’s as a result of probably the most correct temperature readings come from direct contact with your baby, which is why you need to at all times use a digital thermometer that can be utilized rectally for the primary 6 months.

You could discover an all-in-one thermometer that states it may be used orally, rectally or of their armpit. However, in case you go for an all-in-one thermometer for rectal use, be certain that to label it. The similar thermometer ought to by no means be used for each rectal and oral temperatures.

The finest thermometer for infants 6 months previous or older

When your baby reaches 6 months previous, you now have new (and simpler) choices. Now, you need to use a digital thermometer underneath your baby’s arm, a distant brow monitor or a distant in-ear thermometer.

Thermometers to keep away from

Thermometers not really useful for a baby at any age embody plastic strip thermometers, pacifier thermometers and smartphone temperature apps as a result of they don’t present correct readings.

How to take your baby’s temperature rectally

A rectal temperature is taken into account the gold customary for precisely realizing an toddler’s temp till they’re over 6 months previous. Here’s how to get an correct studying.

Using a digital thermometer to measure rectal temperature

• Clean the digital thermometer by washing it with cleaning soap and water, or wiping with rubbing alcohol.
• Lay your baby down both on their again or stomach with legs bent towards their chest.
• Apply petroleum jelly to the steel tip of the thermometer and gently glide it into the rectal opening – normally about half an inch, however observe your particular thermometer’s directions rigorously.
• Turn on the thermometer.
• Hold the thermometer in place till it beeps, which is normally about two minutes.
• Remove the thermometer.
• Make word of the temperature.
• Clean the thermometer earlier than storing.

If you’re uncomfortable taking your baby’s temperature rectally, you possibly can name a nurse line and they’re going to stroll you thru the method over the telephone (each your clinic and health plan seemingly supply this sort of service).

If you’re a HealthPartners affected person or plan member, our 24-hour nurse line is there to supply help and recommendation if you want solutions quick or your clinic is closed. Just name 800-551-0859. You can even name our 24/7 BabyLine for questions and recommendation on new baby care at 612-333-2229.

How to take your baby’s temperature underneath their arm

Taking your baby’s temperature underneath their arm could be very easy. Just know that this kind of studying is much less correct and might be affected by the quantity of clothes your baby is carrying, in addition to the temperature within the room.

Using a digital thermometer to measure armpit temperature

• Remove baby’s garments so their chest is naked.
• Place the digital thermometer in considered one of their armpits.
• Fold their arm over the thermometer.
• Turn on the thermometer.
• Hold their arm in place till the thermometer beeps, which normally occurs in lower than two minutes.
• Remove the thermometer.
• Make word of the temperature, including one diploma to the studying.

How to take your baby’s temperature with a distant brow thermometer

If your baby is older than 6 months, a temporal artery thermometer (TAT) might be a simple means to measure your baby’s brow temperature.

A TAT makes use of infrared mild to learn the temperature of the temporal artery, which is positioned in your baby’s brow.

The advantage of a TAT is that it might rapidly file a temperature, and your baby gained’t want to maintain nonetheless for an entire minute or two. But readings might be much less correct than digital thermometers.

Using a temporal artery thermometer

• Make positive your baby’s brow is clear and dry.
• Hold thermometer in entrance of the baby’s brow on the appropriate distance. (This distance is totally different for each thermometer, so be certain that to observe the instructions for your particular mannequin.)
• Hold down the button and watch for the thermometer to beep. This ought to solely take just a few seconds.
• Make word of the temperature.

How to take baby’s temperature with a distant in-ear thermometer

Another choice for infants 6 months and older is an in-ear thermometer. Also referred to as a tympanic thermometer, this kind of thermometer measures the temperature of the ear drum utilizing infrared mild.

A tympanic thermometer is analogous to a TAT however has a small cone-shaped probe to use within the ear canal. Some TATs have probe attachments that permit them to be used within the ear.

Using a tympanic thermometer

• Check the within of baby’s ear to be certain that it’s clear.
• Clean the tip of the probe with rubbing alcohol.
• Gently tug your baby’s ear straight again to make room for the probe.
• Gently ease the probe into the ear canal.
• Press the button and maintain the thermometer in place till it flashes or beeps. This is normally only a second or two.
• Remove thermometer.
• Take word of the temperature.

If used accurately, in-ear thermometers can present dependable temperature readings in older infants. But they aren’t as correct if your baby has earwax buildup or a small, curved ear canal.

Now that you simply’ve taken their temperature, right here’s what you need to do subsequent

Does your baby have a temperature? The excellent news is that the majority fevers might be monitored and handled at house. But it is dependent upon how previous your little one is and the way high their fever is.

Get tips for treating a fever at house and when it might be time to see a health care provider.