Which thermometer is best for checking my child’s temperature?

When cold and flu season looms, you need an accurate thermometer to take your child’s temperature. True, the age-old touch to the forehead or cheek works to some extent. But to know for sure whether your little one is at or above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit — the temperature most doctors consider a fever — you need a precise reading from a high-quality thermometer. Luckily, you have plenty of options that take the guesswork out of checking your child’s temperature.

The type of thermometer you choose will depend on your child’s age and your method for taking their temperature. Because their ear canals are too narrow, many experts recommend the following.

·       For infants under 6 months, use an armpit (axillary) temperature reading

·       For children 6 months and up to 4 years old, use an ear (tympanic) thermometer

·       For kids age 4 and up (must be able to properly hold a thermometer in their mouth), use an oral thermometer

However, if none of these methods works for your child, a forehead (temporal artery) thermometer can be the best alternative, even though these devices may be less accurate than an oral thermometer. Forehead thermometers have the added benefit of letting you take your little one’s temperature while they sleep.

A digital thermometer that can take an armpit or oral temperature will likely give you a more precise, easier-to-read result than an old-fashioned thermometer with liquid alcohol inside. Never use a mercury thermometer, which is a thin glass tube filled with silvery metal. If the glass breaks, it can release toxic levels of mercury fumes. If you have one in the house, the AAP suggests you remove it entirely.

And if you still have questions about thermometers or fevers, be sure to ask your child’s pediatrician.