Understanding Children's Temperatures: A Parent's Guide

To know how to read your child's temperature is an important part of parenthood and will most likely be necessary several times during the child's upbringing. A rectal measure gives the most accurate reading regardless of age. A healthy child should have a temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, but the temperature could vary a degree or so throughout the day without cause for worry. Whenever you are in doubt, a physician should always be called, especially if the fever persists over several days.

Things You'll Need

• Digital thermometer
• Petroleum jelly (lubricant)
• Soap

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Instructions

• 1

  Turn on the digital thermometer and choose between Fahrenheit and Celsius reading.

• 2

  Apply petroleum jelly or other lubricant to the tip of the thermometer.

• 3

  Insert the thermometer short of 1 inch into the child's rectum without any force or pressure and wait for the reading to be ready.

• 4

  Read the temperature off the thermometer.

• 5

  Clean the thermometer thoroughly with soap and warm water.