What should armpit temperature be for a baby

However, they should see a doctor if their fever lasts for more than 72 hours. Use this chart to help you decide which method to use:. The oral method is not recommended for children younger than 5 years old because it is hard for them to hold the thermometer under their tongue for long enough. If an axillary temperature does not show a fever but your child feels warm and seems unwell, take a rectal measurement.

It is not as reliable or accurate as rectal temperature taking. The following chart will tell you if your child has a fever. A child with a mild infection can have a high fever, while a child with a severe infection might have no fever at all. If your baby has a fever, remove extra blankets and clothing so heat can leave their body and help lower the body temperature.

In fact, the best reason for giving your child medicine is not to reduce the fever, but to relieve any aches and pains. Acetaminophen such as Tylenol, Tempra, Panadol and others is a suitable medication for a fever. The temperature usually comes down in 1 hour and then rises again. If this happens, the medication may have to be repeated at the recommended time. Do not give more than 5 doses in 24 hours.

Alternatively, you can give your child ibuprofen, which is found in products such as Advil and Motrin. The thermometer should touch skin only, not clothing. Insert the thermometer in your child's armpit.

Fold your child's arm across his chest to hold the thermometer in place. If you have questions or concerns, be sure to discuss them with your baby's healthcare provider Download the printable version of this page PDF. Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

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This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Healthy Lifestyle Infant and toddler health. Products and services. Thermometer basics: Taking your child's temperature Thermometer choices got you baffled?

By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Schmitt BD. Itasca, Ill. Ward M, et al. Exertional heatstroke may happen when a person is working or exercising in a hot place.

The person may sweat a lot, but the body still makes more heat than it can lose. This causes temperature to rise to high levels. Check for a very low body temperature in people who have been exposed to cold. Check for a very high body temperature in people who have been exposed to heat.

Find out how well a fever-reducing medicine is working. Help a woman plan for pregnancy by finding out if she is ovulating. How To Prepare Take your temperature a few times when you are well. Before you take your temperature: Wait at least 20 to 30 minutes after you smoke, you eat, or you drink a hot or cold liquid.

Wait at least an hour after hard exercise or a hot bath. There are different types of thermometers. Electronic thermometers are plastic and shaped like a pencil. They have a display window at one end and the temperature probe at the other end. These thermometers can be used in the mouth, rectum, or armpit. They are easy to use and easy to read. If you buy this type of thermometer, check the package for information about its accuracy.

Ear thermometers are plastic and come in different shapes. The small cone-shaped end of the thermometer is placed in the ear. Body temperature is shown on a digital display. The results appear in seconds.

Some models also show what the oral and rectal readings would be. Temporal artery thermometers have a small "cup" that is moved across the skin over the artery in the forehead. Products for taking temporal artery temperature sweeping thermometer across your child's forehead at home have not yet been shown to be accurate or reliable enough for home use.

How It Is Done Before you take a temperature, read the instructions for how to use your type of thermometer. How to take an oral temperature Oral by mouth is the most common method of taking a temperature. Place the thermometer under the tongue, just to one side of the centre. Ask the person to close his or her lips tightly around it.

Leave the thermometer in place for the required amount of time. Time yourself with a clock or watch. Some digital thermometers give a series of short beeps when the reading is done. Remove the thermometer and read it. Clean a digital thermometer with cool, soapy water and rinse it off before you put it away. How to take a rectal temperature This is the most accurate way to measure body temperature. Apply a lubricant jelly or petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, on the bulb of the thermometer.

This will make it easy to insert. With a baby or small child, place them safely on their stomach on your lap or a comfortable surface. If a baby is unable to safely lie on their stomach, place them on their back. Choose a quiet place so that the child won't be distracted or move around too much. Spread the child's buttocks with one hand. With the other hand, gently insert the bulb end of the thermometer into the anus. Push it in about 1.

Don't force it into the rectum. Hold the thermometer in place with two fingers close to the anus not near the end of the thermometer. Time yourself with a watch or clock. How to take an armpit axillary temperature Taking a temperature in the armpit may not be as accurate as taking an oral or rectal temperature. Place the thermometer under the arm with the bulb in the centre of the armpit. Press the arm against the body, and leave the thermometer in place for the required amount of time.

How to take an ear tympanic temperature This method is recommended for children older than 2 years.