by Peggy McBee

Created on: December 17, 2007

When your baby is ill taking his or her temperature is essential. There are several ways to take a temperature orally, anally, ear, temple, and axillary. There are also a variety of thermometers to choose from. The only thing on your mind when your baby is hurting to make her feel better, the last thing you want to do is continually check your baby's temperature anally. All parents know that it is impossible to get an oral temperature on an ill infant. Ear and temple thermometers are good to use if you happen to have one of the higher end thermometers that will give a relatively close to true reading, but holding your little ones head still long enough to get a reading isn't always easy. The easiest and most economical way to take your baby's temperature is axillary.

The axillary temperature is taken under the arm, in the armpit. This is an external temperature so will not be as accurate as an internal temperature such as oral or anal, but is more comfortable for the baby and allows mom or dad to comfort the little tike while taking her temperature. The axillary temperature may be taken with a digital, glass or mercury thermometer. The digital thermometer is the thermometer of choice for ease of use and safety reasons. The digital thermometer can get a reading in about one minute by being held in the armpit with the baby's arm down, cradling the baby will both calm her and hold her arm in place without scaring her or noticeably restricting her. If using a glass thermometer containing red or blue alcohol, use caution if the baby moves suddenly she may break the glass tube against her skin. The glass thermometer can take up to ten minutes to get a reading. If you still have a mercury thermometer the procedures are the same as with the glass thermometer; however, you are strongly urged to replace it with a digital or glass thermometer. Mercury thermometers were popular several years ago, but have since been discovered to be filled with a toxic and hazardous chemical.

Because the axillary temperature is an external body temperature it will be lower than an internal temperature. The average healthy external temperature is between 96.6 degrees Fahrenheit and 98 degrees Fahrenheit. When taking an axillary temperature add one degree to the reading. If your baby has a temperature of 101 or higher contact your child's doctor.

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