How to measure fever in a baby

Fever is one of the most common reasons for pediatric consultation. It is a symptom usually associated with an infection, so it is important to control it to act accordingly.

In this article, we will tell you the best methods for measuring fever in a baby, from the most appropriate place to take their temperature to the type of thermometer best suited for your baby.

The normal body temperature in a human being ranges from 36.5ºC to 37.5ºC. From there to 38ºC is considered feverish and when it exceeds that, it is considered a fever.

There are many methods of taking a temperature, but not all are suitable, especially for a child. The most recommended for the youngest are:

The Spanish Association of Primary Care Paediatrics (AEPap) recommends using this part of the body to measure children’s body temperature. They state that this method meets the necessary conditions for this: comfort, safety, and reliability. So, whenever you can, we recommend that you measure your baby’s temperature in this way.

Placing the thermometer in the mouth, specifically under the tongue is another way to measure your baby’s fever. It is very accurate, but it is not always appropriate as it requires cooperation from the child, which is not always the case.

In recent years, infrared measurement has made it possible to calculate the body temperature in the ear. The main advantage of this method is its speed and comfort, as the result appears in a few seconds. However, commercially available infrared devices are less accurate than digital thermometers.

If you use them, you must take into account that the temperature range accepted as normal with them is between 35.8ºC and 38ºC.

There are other methods of measuring fever in a baby but either because of their low reliability or directly, because they can be dangerous, they are not recommended.

The vast majority of glass thermometers contain mercury, a toxic substance. Even though they were recalled years ago, you may still have some at home. If so, our advice is to take it to a clean place and get a digital thermometer.

Although this is a very reliable way of measuring a baby’s temperature, its use in everyday life is not recommended because it can involve some risks in non-professional hands.

It is normal to feel that a baby has a fever by placing your hand on their forehead, but it is advisable to use a thermometer to confirm it and know the degrees of temperature more accurately.

Most pediatricians advise against its use. The reason is that they are less accurate than other thermometers, so the result can only be taken as an estimate.

Also they are known as test strip thermometers, these bands that change color depending on body temperature are very easy to use but they lack precision.

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