Checking Your Child’s Temperature

A high temperature usually means that your child’s poorly. So it’s best to check her temperature as soon as you think she’s off colour, that way you can start taking immediate steps to help bring her temperature down – such as giving her Nurofen for Children. It’s also worth checking your child’s temperature again, about 30 minutes after you’ve given her some medicine, to see if she’s getting better or worse.

Almost all parents do it, a hand on the forehead to see if your child’s feeling hot. Obviously, to get a proper picture of what’s going on you’ll need to use a thermometer. Here are some of the most common thermometers and how to use them:

This is one of the best ways for taking your child’s temperature. Place it in her armpit, bring her arm down to the body and hold it in place for a few minutes (or until the thermometer beeps).

Only use a digital thermometer in the mouth once your child’s old enough to keep it under her tongue (about five years of age).

Never take temperature rectally (in the back passage).

These are the thermometers that you place in the ear. They’re very easy-to-use and may be less hassle than digital thermometers.

Simple, adhesive strips that you place on your child’s forehead. Perfect if you’ve a young wriggling baby or a toddler who wants to help, although these are less accurate than digital versions.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a thermometer. And remember, if your child has all the signs of a fever, but the thermometer’s reading doesn’t show a high temperature, please call your doctor.

For more information, please contact: NHS Direct.