How do you take your 20 month old's temperature?

Julie - posted on 05/01/2010

I take her temp under the arm. I've not found a really reliable ear thermometer yet.

Tina - posted on 05/01/2010

I tried the rectal part on my 20 month old when she had a fever and she was hurting and moving about so i tried under her arms and it helps she stayed still but it wasn't accurate so i waited till she was completely sleeping and did a rectal with the thermometer so you can try that too.

Melissa - posted on 04/29/2010

We have both a forhead thermometer and one that you can use rectally. He doesn't squirm for the rectal one and it only takes like 10 seconds. I got it at CVS for like 7 dollars. The other one we use on our 3 year old. It was about 30 bucks but its very accurate.

Jannette - posted on 04/29/2010

What works best for me is to place the thermometer in the center of her armpit and hold her close. After a minute she forgets it's there and just enjoys the snuggling. When it beeps I know it's done and then I add a degree to counteract that it's not a core temperature. It hasn't failed me yet.

Lisa - posted on 04/29/2010

we use a digital infrared ear thermometer, it's only got an on/off switch and then one button to press to take temp. It's super fast and the same style (ear thermomoeter) as our Doctor use's so the kids are familiar with it.

Jonna - posted on 04/29/2010

I use an ear thermometer. By Braun. It was a little pricey (around $70) but I absolutely love it, it's really simple to use, it's never failed me and I can take my 20 month old's temp through the night without her waking up.

Amanda - posted on 04/28/2010

i would do a rectal one because they are the most accurate until they are old enough until they can take it by mouth

Rebecca - posted on 04/28/2010

forehead thermometers are the way forward. i have a digital one from the local chemist, it takes 3 seconds to get a reading.

Marla - posted on 04/27/2010

I use a forehead thermometer -- her pediatrician also uses one when we go in for a sick visit.

Melissa - posted on 04/27/2010

I purchased one of the new forehead thermometers too. Its very acurate and easy. I did ALOT of research and asked my doc before I bought one, to make sure they are acurate, some said better then the ear one. The prices are comperable to the ear thermometer now.
My daughter loves it. she thinks its a game!

Sieh Mann - posted on 04/26/2010

I use a regular one to put in the armpit, and my daughter also sits pretty still. So, just get one of those.

Brittany - posted on 04/26/2010

I dont use an ear thermometer. I use one of the regular ones you can put in their mouth or in the arm pit. Which I check my son's armpit. And it has green, yellow, and red lights that if the temp is normal it will glow green. If it is mild it will glow yellow and so on. It works very well. My son sits pretty still and he's 20 months. So I would try getting one of those.

Megan - posted on 04/26/2010

I don't have an ear thermometer because they were too expensive, but Vicks makes a 7-second thermometer and I use it under his arm and add one degree to it. I think it's like 7 or 8 dollars.

Liesa - posted on 04/26/2010

I can tell usually by touching my sons head when he has a temperature.

I have a thermometer then can be used in the mouth, under the armpit or rectal.

I find its much easier to use it under the armpit. Once its in place i pick him up and cuddle him so he can't pull it out. The readings are very accurate, you just follow the guide which will tell you the normal temp for that body area.

Sara - posted on 04/24/2010

I ran into the same issue with the rectal thermometers. I was starting to feel like using it with a thrashing toddler was WAY more dangerous than the temperature. =) I bought a temporal (forehead) thermometer too. I've seen them at Target and Babies R Us. They're about the same price that the digital ear thermometers used to be and they're MUCH more accurate.

Amy - posted on 04/24/2010

i also have the forehead one they are very good and easy to use you can buy them from sainsburys or boots

LaToya - posted on 04/23/2010

I have the 5 second rectal thermometer. I usually do it really quick when I change my daughter diaper. I put a lil vaseline and she does not even have a chance to react because it is that fast.

Megan - posted on 04/23/2010

i have a forehead thermometer, you just press against their head and it takes a total of 10 seconds to get a reading and its very accurate,..I also kiss his forehead and i can tell if hes running a fever or not.