Taking Your Child's Temperature Taking Your Child's Temperature Sooner or later, every parent has to take a child's temperature to check for fever . Here are some basic guidelines. Digital thermometers come in many sizes and shapes, and some can be quite expensive. Whichever one you choose, be sure you know how to use it correctly so that you get an accurate reading.
Ear thermometers can quickly and easily measure temperature inside the ear canal.
The AAP advises against using ear thermometers for infants under 3 months of age. They may be handy for quick screenings, but for exact readings use a digital thermometer. No matter which type of thermometer you use, never take a child's temperature right after he has had a bath because this can affect the temperature reading. Choosing the Method Babies and children younger than age 4 or 5 are too young to cooperate for oral temperature readings, so the rectal or axillary method must be used. The best way to take the temperature of an infant and young children is rectally because this gives the most accurate reading of body temperature in this age range.