Taking Temperature in Babies

• An oral thermometer can be used over four years of age as they can put it under the tongue easily.
• For taking rectal temperature, use digital rectal thermometer and apply petroleum jelly on it. Insert it one inch into the rectum and keep it there for about a minute or until the thermometer beeps. Remove the thermometer and note the reading. Babies may have a bowel moment just as you remove the thermometer from their rectum.
• Forehead strips are the easiest one to use on children and are easily available too but they are not trusted enough to get an exact reading. However, they are good for children who are a year old or older.
• The best way to take a temperature in a baby is rectally. Rectal temperatures represent the body temperature most accurately too as the oral temperature may vary with the temperature of something the baby has just eaten or drunk.
• Underarm temperature represents external body temperature, which may be lower than internal temperature and lead to false assumptions and diagnosis.
• While some people may prefer taking ear temperature, it can be a little challenging to place the thermometer right to get a good reading. It may also be hurtful to children who have ear infections.