When your child has a heat brow or neck, it’s time to take their temperature. However how are you going to ensure you get essentially the most correct studying?
Under, we’ll go over what sort of thermometer it is best to use when your child is exhibiting indicators of a fever and take their temperature with it.
The very best child thermometer by age: Right here’s a fast information
It might shock you, however the very best thermometer to make use of and the very best methodology for taking your child’s temperature relies on their age. The easiest way to take your child’s temperature adjustments at about 6 months outdated.
The very best thermometer for newborns to six months outdated
A digital thermometer that can be utilized rectally is the very best. That’s as a result of essentially the most correct temperature readings come from direct contact along with your child, which is why it is best to at all times use a digital thermometer that can be utilized rectally for the primary 6 months.
You might discover an all-in-one thermometer that states it may be used orally, rectally or of their armpit. Nevertheless, should you go for an all-in-one thermometer for rectal use, ensure to label it. The identical thermometer ought to by no means be used for each rectal and oral temperatures.
The very best thermometer for infants 6 months outdated or older
When your child reaches 6 months outdated, you now have new (and simpler) choices. Now, you should utilize a digital thermometer underneath your child’s arm, a distant brow monitor or a distant in-ear thermometer.
Thermometers to keep away from
Thermometers not really helpful for a child at any age embrace plastic strip thermometers, pacifier thermometers and smartphone temperature apps as a result of they don’t present correct readings.
How you can take your child’s temperature rectally
A rectal temperature is taken into account the gold commonplace for precisely understanding an toddler’s temp till they’re over 6 months outdated. Right here’s get an correct studying.
Utilizing a digital thermometer to measure rectal temperature
Clear the digital thermometer by washing it with cleaning soap and water, or wiping with rubbing alcohol.
Lay your child down both on their again or stomach with legs bent towards their chest.
Apply petroleum jelly to the metallic tip of the thermometer and gently glide it into the rectal opening – normally about half an inch, however comply with your particular thermometer’s directions fastidiously.
Activate the thermometer.
Maintain the thermometer in place till it beeps, which is normally about two minutes.
Take away the thermometer.
Make word of the temperature.
Clear the thermometer earlier than storing.
If you happen to’re uncomfortable taking your child’s temperature rectally, you’ll be able to name a nurse line and they’ll stroll you thru the method over the cellphone (each your clinic and well being plan probably provide this sort of service).
If you happen to’re a HealthPartners affected person or plan member, our 24-hour nurse line is there to supply assist and recommendation while you want solutions quick or your clinic is closed. Simply name 800-551-0859. You can even name our 24/7 BabyLine for questions and recommendation on new child care at 612-333-2229.
How you can take your child’s temperature underneath their arm
Taking your child’s temperature underneath their arm may be very easy. Simply know that this kind of studying is much less correct and will be affected by the quantity of clothes your child is sporting, in addition to the temperature within the room.
Utilizing a digital thermometer to measure armpit temperature
Take away child’s garments so their chest is naked.
Place the digital thermometer in certainly one of their armpits.
Fold their arm over the thermometer.
Activate the thermometer.
Maintain their arm in place till the thermometer beeps, which normally occurs in lower than two minutes.
Take away the thermometer.
Make word of the temperature, including one diploma to the studying.
How you can take your child’s temperature with a distant brow thermometer
In case your child is older than 6 months, a temporal artery thermometer (TAT) will be a simple solution to measure your child’s brow temperature.
A TAT makes use of infrared mild to learn the temperature of the temporal artery, which is situated in your child’s brow.
The advantage of a TAT is that it will probably rapidly file a temperature, and your baby received’t want to carry nonetheless for an entire minute or two. However readings will be much less correct than digital thermometers.
Utilizing a temporal artery thermometer
Be sure that your child’s brow is clear and dry.
Maintain thermometer in entrance of the infant’s brow on the right distance. (This distance is totally different for each thermometer, so ensure to comply with the instructions to your particular mannequin.)
Maintain down the button and look forward to the thermometer to beep. This could solely take a number of seconds.
Make word of the temperature.
How you can take child’s temperature with a distant in-ear thermometer
An alternative choice for infants 6 months and older is an in-ear thermometer. Additionally referred to as a tympanic thermometer, this kind of thermometer measures the temperature of the ear drum utilizing infrared mild.
A tympanic thermometer is just like a TAT however has a small cone-shaped probe to make use of within the ear canal. Some TATs have probe attachments that permit them for use within the ear.
Utilizing a tympanic thermometer
Examine the within of child’s ear to verify it’s clear.
Clear the tip of the probe with rubbing alcohol.
Gently tug your child’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. That is normally only a second or two.
Take away thermometer.
Pay attention to the temperature.
If used accurately, in-ear thermometers can present dependable temperature readings in older infants. However they aren’t as correct in case your child has earwax buildup or a small, curved ear canal.
Now that you just’ve taken their temperature, right here’s what it is best to do subsequent
Does your child have a temperature? The excellent news is that almost all fevers will be monitored and handled at residence. Nevertheless it relies on how outdated your little one is and the way excessive their fever is.
Get ideas for treating a fever at residence and when it might be time to see a physician.
