Which thermometer you use, and how you use it, depends on the age of your child.
There are many types of thermometers available.
The most common thermometers are digital. You can use these for children of any age. They are easy to use and accurate and are usually the cheapest.
Electronic ear thermometers are expensive and are less accurate in small babies.
You can use a digital thermometer for your child of any age. A digital thermometer gives a digital reading. There are a number of brands. They are usually the cheapest option. You need to read and follow the instructions that come with your thermometer.
If your child is under 5 years, you can use the digital thermometer under your child's arm. If you measure the temperature under their arm, it records about half to 1 degree Celsius lower than the core temperature.
To use a digital thermometer under the arm (the axillary temperature):
If your child is 5 years of age or older you can try to measure the temperature in their mouth (the oral temperature). Make sure you only use a digital thermometer in your child's mouth.
To use it in the mouth in older children:
The electronic or infrared ear thermometer is fast and accurate if used correctly. You can use it in older children but not in young babies.
There are a number of brands. They are more expensive than digital thermometers.
Read the instructions for your thermometer to find out how to turn it on and take the reading. When placing the measuring end in the ear, be gentle. You do not have to push it far into the ear canal, just at the entrance.
Infrared forehead thermometers are quick and easy to use, as you simply point them at your child's forehead. But, they are expensive and may not be accurate. They measure the forehead skin temperature which changes a lot with blood flow and room temperature.
These are plastic strips that you place on your child's forehead - they are not accurate so it's best not to use them.
These old-style thermometers are no longer available but some households still have them. Mercury vapour can be toxic if the thermometer breaks, so don't use these thermometers. Consider getting a digital thermometer instead.
Check more content on temperatures and thermometers [1]
Check the KidsHealth section on childhood illness - the basics [2]
Digital thermometer photo by Dony Wardhana [3] on Unsplash [4]
Ear thermometer photo by Kelly Sikkema [5] on Unsplash [4].
Digital thermometer under a child's arm - 123rf.com [6]
Digital thermometer in child's mouth - 123rf.com [6]
Digital thermometer under child's tongue - KidsHealth photo
This page last reviewed 07 March 2022.
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Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/temperatures-thermometers
[2] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/childhood-illness-basics
[3] https://unsplash.com/@wardhana?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText
[4] https://unsplash.com/s/photos/thermometer?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText
[5] https://unsplash.com/@kellysikkema
[6] https://www.123rf.com
[7] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F2011%3Flanguage%3Den