An infection that is caused by a virus or bacteria can lead your child to get a fever. This fever won’t harm your child because it’s normal to have. But, you have to take the child’s temperature from time to time. This article will provide how to take your preschooler’s temperature.
There are rectal, oral, axillary, tympanic, and forehead methods for taking your child’s temperature. Each method is different from the other. As it is related to your child, you can’t take this thing lightly. Therefore, learn all the method’s step-by-step process of taking the temperature from this useful guide.
Types of Thermometer
Based on the child’s age, you have to select the right type of thermometer. Otherwise, the measurement and reading won’t be accurate. Follow the below chart to Learn the Best Kids Thermometers and methods as per your child’s age.
| Age | Thermometer | Method |
| Birth to 6 Months | Digital Thermometer | Rectum |
| 6 Months to 4 Years | Digital Thermometer
Tympanic Thermometer |
Rectum and Armpit
Ear |
| 4 years Plus | Digital Thermometer
Tympanic Thermometer Temporal Artery Thermometer |
Oral and Armpit
Ear Forehead |
How to Take Your Preschooler’s Temperature?
For accurate temperature reading, you have to make sure that you are doing the method appropriately. After completing the measurement, make sure to note down the readings and time. Now see the below tips to learn how to take your preschooler’s temperature.
Rectum
Taking a rectal temperature is the ideal method for getting an exact reading. Though maximum children don’t like this process; therefore you have to be more cautious.
- Lubricate the silver tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly or vaseline.
- You can place your baby into two positions to apply this method. The first one is, putting your baby on the back by keeping the knees bent.
- Another option is, keeping the belly down and holding the baby’s lower back with your hand palm.
- Holding the thermometer with your finger gently insert it into the rectum. Keep pushing about 2.5 cm or until you feel any resistance.
Oral Temperature
Taking oral temperature is a bit risky as the child can bite the tip. So, remind them frequently not to bite the thermometer.
- Place the thermometer’s tip carefully under the tongue of the child.
- Leave the thermometer in, closing the lip fully around it until the measurement is done.
- Ask your child to stay relaxed and breathe normally while taking the temperature.
Armpit or Axillary Temperature
To check the armpit temperature, you can use the rectal or oral thermometer.
- Keep the thermometer’s tip in the center of your child’s armpit.
- Make the arm tucked tightly against the kid’s body.
Ear Temperature
This process can be dangerous for your baby so do the process cautiously.
- At first, you have to make the ear canal straight. To do so, just pull the ear up and back.
- Make sure the path of the eardrum is clear and contains no earwax.
- Until the ear canal is sealed, keep pushing the thermometer gently.
- Squeeze and hold the thermometer tightly.
Forehead Temperature
This is the most simple and less effective than the other measuring methods.
- Ensure your baby’s forehead is dry before starting.
- Simply sweep the thermometer across your child’s forehead.
- After hearing the beep sound remove it, that’s it.
Safety Tips to Consider While Taking Temperature
At first, read the whole instructions from the thermometer’s guide. Before and after applying the thermometer, wash it with soap and rinse it with cool water. Make the mercury go below 96.8° F by shaking it faster. Get two different digital thermometers to take rectal and oral temperature.
Never use the same thermometer for taking an oral temperature that is used for rectal temperature. Ensure that the child’s room temperature is comfortable enough. Make them wear lightweight and soft fabric clothes. To avoid dehydration, feed them enough water, soup, juice, etc.
What Is the Normal Temperature of a Baby?
Now that you learn how to take body temperature, it’s time to know the normal temperature range. From the following chart, it will be clear to you if your baby does have a fever or not.
| Measurement Method | Normal Temperature Range |
| Rectum | 97.9°F to 100.4°F |
| Oral | 95.9°F to 99.5°F |
| Armpit | 94.5°F to 99.1°F |
| Ear | 96.4°F to 100.4°F |
When to See a Doctor?
If your child eats or drinks properly, sleeps well, and plays like before, there is nothing to worry about. But if the child has the following symptoms, then you should consult the doctor.
Kids under 3 months: Who has a rectal temperature of 100.4° F or higher should be taken to the hospital. They may underlie some serious illnesses.
Age Between 3 to 6 Months: Rectal temperature above 102° F might be a sign of significant illness. Also, look out for if the child is irritated, uncomfortable, lethargic, restless, or not.
Age Above 6 Months: Oral or armpit temperature higher than 102° F and the temperature last more than one day can be dangerous. Severe pain, blue skin or paleness, drowsiness, breathing issues, vomits frequently, dehydration, less responsiveness, diarrhea, etc., will indicate serious illness.
If your child has these symptoms don’t delay meeting the doctor, they may need treatment sooner.
Conclusion
The best way to stay updated about your child’s fever condition is to measure the body temperature. As there are so many methods available we showed the processes for how to take your preschooler’s temperature. It is necessary to use an accurate thermometer according to the child’s age to get the real readings.
Babies are very sensitive, and taking their temperature reading is very tough. So parents should be very patient and careful while using the thermometer. Write down the readings and time each time for further diagnosis. If required, do consult with the doctor for better treatment.
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