How to Properly Take your Baby’s Temperature

In the emergency department, we routinely take rectal temps on babies.  We know that any other method, underarm, oral or by the ear, just isn’t accurate enough, and certainly not dependable.  These days, it easy to get a hold of a digital thermometer.  The kind with the little silver tip, seems to be pretty accurate, and

inexpensive.

Start by making sure that the thermometer is set to Celcius or Farenheit, whichever you preference is, and then cycle it off and on once.  Grasp the shaft of the thermometer so that about 3/4 of an inch sticks out past your thumb and forefinger, and place a little vaseline or lube on the tip.  Insert gently in the rectum, firmly pinching the thermometer shaft between your thumb and forefinger so that it doesn’t slip in farther, and hold steady.  Read the temp when the thermometer beeps.  Be sure to subtract 1 degree from the rectal reading, to come up with the correct temperature.