How to Check Your Child’s Temperature At Every Age
So many of you have been asking for thermometer recommendations this sick season. I wanted to share some of my favorites and also make sure you knew the best way to take your child's temperature at every age.
Newborn - 3 months old: A rectal temperature is the gold standard for healthy, term newborns and young babies. If you don't feel comfortable, there is some data that a temporal (forehead) thermometer can be a good second choice. The last choice would be axillary (armpit).
Note: Check with your care team if you have a baby that was in the NICU, premature, IUGR/Small for gestational age, or with any other medical conditions. Some NICU protocols recommend axillary (armpit) temperatures due to risk for rectal/colon injury.
3 months - 6 months old: rectal, temporal (forehead), axillary (armpit).
6 months - 3 years old: rectal, temporal (forehead), axillary (armpit), tympanic (ear). Ear thermometers are not recommended before 6 months old.
4-5 years old: rectal, temporal (forehead), oral, tympanic (ear), axillary (armpit).
5 years and older: oral, temporal (forehead), tympanic (ear), axillary (armpit).
I've linked some of my recommended thermometers (I've tried them all + compared them to our office thermometers to help!) here for you to help. And you can check out my post on fevers at every age to know exactly what to do if your child has a fever.
