Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Taking a kid's temperature

I always seem to forget which thermometer to use with my kids. I do have one that goes across the for head, but it doesn't seem to be as accurate as the rectal ones or the under the tongue thermometers. I also have one that goes in the ear, but that doesn't work worth a darn. If you need a reminder about which thermometer to use for which kid-you might want to bookmark this post!

FROM ABC: Taking a child's temperature can be a real challenge for some parents.

does she have a fever? 2 1/2 year-old Ella Engel doesn't feel well, but she doesn't flinch when pediatrician Jennifer Shu takes her temperature. Dr. Shu is using a temporal artery thermometer that is swiped across the girl's forehead. Because children are so active, you want a thermometer that is fast. Shu explains, to get an accurate reading, the type of thermometer needs to match the age of the child. 
  • Under three months, the best way to take a temperature is using a rectal thermometer.

  • Between three months and three years, you can do a rectal temperature or some people like to do an under-the-arm or axillary temperature.

  • After the age of three, Shu suggests children should be able to hold an oral thermometer under their tongue.
98-point-6 is considered a normal, average temperature. Shu says it's time to see a doctor if a newborn under the age of three months has a temperature over 100-point-four or a child of any age is running a fever higher than 104 degrees.

Which thermometer do you use?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

We use an ear thermometer and it is great! It is very accurate and when your child is sick, as we all know, they don't sit still and it is the easiest for us to hold her still and get an accurate reading. You have to pay good money for them, they are like $60, but well worth it! Happy New Year!

Emily/Randomability said...

We have a rectal that we use with our 3 year old. I don't think that wither of them have figured out the oral thermometer yet.

We have an ear one, but I think it is a cheapy and we haven't figured out how to use it correctly yet.

Jen Christensen said...

Yah, our ear thermometer doesn't work that great either. I wonder which brand anonymous is using?
We have a forehead thermometer too, but I always get a zero reading!

Maria said...

I use the one pictured and when the boy is sick and he goes to the doctor, it has always been within a half of a degree. :) I also own an ear one that works fine, but I refuse to use rectal. Thankfully the boy was never sick when he was really young. :)

 
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