How to Use a Glass Thermometer on a Child

As any parent can tell you, taking your child's temperature can be a struggle. And even more if you're using a glass thermometer. Glass thermometers can be dangerous because they can break easily, releasing the mercury inside them. If all you have in the house is a glass thermometer, though, you can still take your child's temperature--rectally, under the armpit, or orally.

Things You'll Need

• Glass thermometer

Show More

Instructions

Taking Temperature Rectally

• 1

  Shake the thermometer until the mercury is lower than 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

• 2

  Sit down and lay your child, stomach down, across your knees.

• 3

  Put a small amount of petroleum jelly on the tip of the thermometer, as well as on your child's anus.

• 4

  Insert the thermometer gently. If your child is under the age of six months, insert it 1/4 to 1/2 inch. If your child is older than six months, insert it about one inch. Do not force it if you encounter any resistence.

• 5

  Hold your child still for two minutes to obtain an accurate reading.

• 6

  Remove the thermometer and rotate until the mercury line is clearly visible, to read the temperature.

Taking Temperature Under the Arm

• 7

  Shake the thermometer until the mercury is lower than 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

• 8

  Insert the thermometer under your child's arm against the armpit, and hold the arm against the side.

• 9

  Remove the thermometer after four to five minutes.

• 10

  Rotate the thermometer until the mercury line is clearly visible and read the temperature.

Taking Temperature Orally

• 11

  Wait 30 minutes after your child has had a drink. A hot or cold drink could skew the temperature reading.

• 12

  Shake the thermometer until the mercury is lower than 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

• 13

  Insert the thermometer under one side of your child's tongue near the back of her mouth.

• 14

  Have your child use her lips and fingers to hold the thermometer in place. Instruct your child to breathe through his nose, not through his mouth, and not bite down.

• 15

  Remove the thermometer after three minutes. Rotate the thermometer until the mercury line is clearly visible and read the temperature.