Key points about temperatures and thermometers
- body temperature by itself does not tell you how sick your child is
- if you think your child is unwell and you are worried, see a health professional
- if your baby is under 3 months old and they have a fever, see a health professional
Why you might take your child's temperature
You might want to measure your child's body temperature if they feel hot or seem unwell. The most common reason for tamariki to have a raised temperature is because they are fighting off an infection.
If your child does not seem unwell, you do not need to take their temperature.
If your baby is under 3 months old and they have a fever, see a health professional.
Learn more about fever (high temperature) in tamariki and how to know if your child's sick.
What you're measuring
When you take your child’s temperature, you are trying to measure how hot your child is inside their body. This is called their 'core body temperature'.
You measure the temperature in places that are closest to the temperature inside the body:
- inside the mouth
- under the arm
- in the ear canal
Normal temperature
The normal temperature inside your child's body is around 37 degrees Celsius.
A fever
A fever is when the temperature is more than 38 degrees Celsius.
A fever is when the temperature is more than 38 degrees Celsius. A fever by itself does not indicate whether your child is seriously sick or not.
Different types of thermometers
Digital thermometers
Photo of a digital thermometer.
Source: Unsplash
You can use a digital thermometer for your child of any age. They are usually the cheapest option.
Using digital thermometers under the arm for tamariki under 5
Photo of a child with a digital thermometer under her arm.
Source: 123rf.com
If your child is under 5 years, you can use the digital thermometer under your child's arm.
Turn the thermometer on.
Lift your child’s arm slightly away from their body.
Put the narrow end of the thermometer against their armpit.
Bring your child's arm down over the top of the thermometer.
It may help to hug your child and keep their arm in place.
Most thermometers beep when they have finished measuring your child's temperature. This may take a minute or so.
Remove the thermometer and read the number on the side.
Using digital thermometers under the tongue for tamariki over 5
Photo showing where to place a digital thermometer in a child's mouth.
Source: KidsHealth
If your child is 5 years of age or older you can measure their temperature under their tongue.
This is the most accurate way to measure your child’s temperature.
Turn the thermometer on.
Ask your child to open their mouth and raise their tongue.
Put the narrow end of the thermometer under your child's tongue.
Try to get your child to keep the thermometer steady in their mouth.
Most thermometers beep when they have finished measuring your child's temperature. This may take a minute or so.
Remove the thermometer and read the number on the side.
Ear thermometers
Photo of a child with a thermometer in their ear.
Source: Unsplash
An ear thermometer is fast and accurate if used correctly. You can use it in older tamariki but it’s not as accurate in young pēpi (babies).
When placing the narrow 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
Infrared forehead thermometers are quick and easy to use. But, they are expensive and may not be an accurate measure of the temperature inside the body.
