How to Take an Underarm Temperature

Your little one does not seem to be feeling well. Since he cannot talk much yet, if at all, it can be hard to determine how ill your child is. One of the best indicators of how sick your baby or toddler may be is his temperature. While this method may not be as precise as taking a temperature orally or rectally, using the underarm method is a simple, noninvasive way to find out whether your little one has a fever or not.

Things You'll Need

• Thermometer
• Timer

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Instructions

• 1

  Remove your child's shirt or other clothing around the underarm you wish to use to take his temperature.

• 2

  Lift your child's arm and make sure the underarm is dry.

• 3

  Place the "bulb" or tip of thermometer gently under your child's arm. Make sure the bulb is near the center of her underarm and that it is as close to the fold of the underarm as possible.

• 4

  Move your child's arm down to his side. Hold it snugly yet gently against his body while you take his temperature.

• 5

  Keep the thermometer in place for 3 to 4 minutes. If you are using a digital thermometer with a built-in timer, wait until the thermometer beeps. Otherwise, set another timer, such as one on your oven or watch. You can also use a clock to keep track of the time.

• 6

  Remove the thermometer from your child's underarm and look at the reading. A reading of 97 to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is normal. An underarm reading, however, may be as much as one-degree lower than an oral reading, so be sure to take this into account.