Important Things
- Newborn babies should have an armpit temperature between 97.5°F and 99.3°F (36.5°C and 37.4°C).
- Fever Indicator: A temperature in the armpit of 97.5°F to 99.3°F (36.5°C to 37.4°C) means you have a fever, but you should check with at least 99°F (37.2°C) to be sure.
- Concerns about Accuracy: Armpit measures are not as accurate as rectal measurements, especially for babies younger than 3 months.
- Medical Help: If a baby younger than 3 months old has a fever or other worrying signs like being sleepy or not eating well, they should see a doctor right away.
- Safe Practices: To get exact readings, use digital thermometers instead of mercury thermometers and follow the right steps.
Recommend–
Looking for a safe and accurate way to check your baby’s temperature? Grab this top-rated Baby Thermometer on Amazon! Trusted by parents worldwide.
Why Keep an Eye on a Baby’s Temperature?
It is very important to keep an eye on a newborn’s signs of temperature because their bodies are still learning Being tired or not eating enough. Having a temperature that is too high or too low can be a sign of health problems, like an infection, that need to be treated right away. This method is popular among parents because it doesn’t hurt the baby and can be used for quick checks. However, it’s not as accurate as rectal measures.
When to Worry About
If your baby’s armpit temperature goes up to 99°F (37.2°C) or higher, you should keep a close eye on them and maybe take their rectal temperature to be sure. This is especially important for babies younger than 3 months. If your baby’s body temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or if they are acting fussy, tired, or not eating well, you should take them to the doctor right away.
How to Find Out How Hot Your Armpit Is
Hold your arm down and press the digital thermometer against your armpit skin. Then wait for it to beep, which should take about one minute. Don’t take the baby’s temperature after bathing or when they are wrapped up, as these things can change the readings.
A Complete Guide to Checking a Baby’s Temperature Under the Armpit
When you bring a baby into the world, you feel both happy and responsible. One important part of caring for a child is keeping an eye on their body temperature, which can give you early signs of how healthy they are. A lot of parents like taking their baby’s temperature under the armpit, which is also called taking an underarm temperature. It’s easy and doesn’t hurt the baby. This complete guide covers how to take your baby’s temperature under the armpit, what a normal range is, when to call the doctor, and answers to common questions to make sure you have correct and reliable information.
How to Figure Out a Baby’s Temperature
A newborn’s body temperature is an important sign that shows how healthy they are. Because newborns’ thermoregulatory systems aren’t fully developed yet, they are more likely to be hurt by changes in temperature. Keeping an eye on their temperature can help find problems like infections or stress from the surroundings early on.
Normal Range for Armpit Temperature
Research from reliable sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and pediatric hospitals like Stanford Children’s Health, shows that a newborn’s temperature under the armpit should be between 97.5°F and 99.3°F (36.5°C and 37.4°C). This range might be a little different at different times of the day or based on the weather or level of activity.
| Age Group | Normal Range for Armpit Temperature | Level of Fever (Armpit) |
|---|---|---|
| Babies (0–3 months) | 97.5°F to 99.3°F (36.5°C to 37.4°C) | 99°F (37.2°C) or higher |
What Does a Fever Mean?
Most of the time, a fever in babies is defined as an armpit temperature of 99°F (37.2°C) or higher. But because armpit readings are not as exact as rectal ones, a fever reading should lead to more tests, especially for babies younger than 3 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that rectal thermometers give the most accurate readings in this age group. This is because a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is a medical emergency that needs immediate treatment.
How to Find Out How Hot Your Armpit Is
Taking a baby’s temperature under the armpit is easy, but you need to be careful to make sure you’re doing it right. These steps were taken from HonorHealth and Nemours KidsHealth’s guidelines:
- Choose a digital thermometer: Pick a digital thermometer that says it can be used in the armpit. Stick to metal or glass thermometers instead because they are not safe.
- Get Your Baby Ready: Take off your baby’s shirt and undershirt so that the thermometer only touches skin and not clothes.
- Place the Thermometer: Make sure the tip of the thermometer is in the middle of the armpit and that it is completely hidden when the arm is lowered.
- Protect the Area: To keep the temperature in place, gently fold your baby’s arm across their chest.
- Just wait for the signal. Hold the thermometer still until it beeps, which usually happens after one minute and means the reading is complete.
- Write down what you read. To remember, write down the temperature and time of day.
How to Get Accurate Readings
- Timing Is Important: Don’t take your baby’s temperature right after bathing or when they are tightly wrapped up, as these can cause readings to be higher.
- First, safety: Don’t leave your baby alone during the process.
- Checks Based on Symptoms: You should only take your baby’s temperature if he or she feels hot, is tired, or shows other signs of sickness. Regular checks are not needed.
When to Get Help and Worry About Something
Fever in newborns, especially those younger than 3 months, can be a sign of dangerous conditions like bacterial infections that need to be checked out right away by a doctor. In their Infant Fever Guideline, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) explains how to carefully check on babies whose body temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
Concerns About Armpit Temperature
A temperature in the rectal area of at least 100.4°F (38°C). F to 1°F lower than temperatures in the genital area, a reading of 99°F (37.2°C) or higher in the armpit should make you more careful. Parents need to
- Be sure to keep a close eye on the baby for any other signs.
- To be sure, you might want to take the baby’s abdominal temperature, especially if they are younger than 3 months.
- Talk to a doctor if the armpit temperature doesn’t go away or if other signs of trouble show up.
Signs that need immediate attention
Get medical help right away if your baby shows any of these signs:
- A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
- Being too tired, too irritable, or not getting enough food.
- Some of the signs are having trouble breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash.
- Any strange behavior, like feeling sleepier than normal or having a pale or flushed face.
| Symptom | What to Do |
|---|---|
| If the temperature in your armpit is 99°F or 37.2°C, | Closely watch, think about rectal measurement, and see a doctor if symptoms don’t go away. |
| > 100.4°F (38°C) in the rectal area | Talk to the doctor right away. |
| Lethargy or poor feeding | Get emergency help right away. |
| Having trouble breathing or a rash | Call the doctor or go to the emergency room. |
Real-Life Example
Let’s say you notice that your two-month-old is warm and take his or her temperature, which comes back at 99.2°F. It’s still 99.3°F when you check again in 30 minutes, making sure the baby isn’t wrapped up. Taking a reading from your lower area gives you 100.5°F. Because of the baby’s age and the rectal reading, you call your doctor, who tells you to bring the baby in for an exam. This situation shows how important it is to double-check armpit readings and move quickly.
Extra Things to Think About
How to Pick the Right Thermometer
Choose a digital thermometer that has a quick reaction time and a clear screen. Models like the ones the Mayo Clinic recommends are cheap (often less than $10) and can be used in the armpit, the rectal area, or the mouth. Make sure to clean the thermometer with alcohol or soap and water before and after each use.
Environmental Factors
Babies are very aware of what’s going on around them. Clinical Pediatric Associates said that wearing too much clothing or being in a hot place can make temperature readings seem higher than they really are. Keep your home between 72°F and 75°F, and make sure your baby is dressed correctly to avoid getting wrong results.
Risks of Low Temperatures
Fever is the main worry, but low temperatures (below 97.5°F under the armpit) can also be a problem, especially for babies who were born early or with a low birth weight. A Healthline story talks about how low temperatures may stress a newborn’s body, making it need more oxygen. If you think your baby might be hypothermic, slowly wake them up and call a doctor.
FAQs
In a baby’s armpit, what is a fever?
When you measure a newborn’s fever under the armpit, it’s usually at least 99°F (37.2°C). Because armpit thermometers aren’t very accurate, you should double-check with a rectal thermometer, especially for babies younger than 3 months.
Do armpit thermometers really work for babies?
Rectal thermometers are more accurate for kids, especially newborns, than underarm thermometers, but underarm thermometers are easier to use. The AAP says that babies younger than 3 months should have rectal measures to make sure that fevers are found accurately.
What does a fever under the armpit look like?
A fever is when the temperature in the armpit is 99°F (37.2°C) or higher. For babies, a rectal temperature is better than an armpit temperature because armpit temperatures may not accurately reflect the core body temperature.
How can I tell if my baby has a fever?
Use a portable thermometer to check your baby’s temperature to see if they have a fever. A fever is likely if the temperature in the armpit is 99°F (37.2°C) or higher, but a rectal temperature reading is more accurate. Look for other signs, like being irritable or tired, and talk to a doctor if you’re worried.
In conclusion
Keeping an eye on your baby’s temperature is an important part of making sure they are healthy and happy. Taking a newborn’s temperature under the armpit is a useful and painless way to do it, but parents should be careful and be ready to check results with a rectal thermometer if they need to. You can easily take care of your newborn if you know the normal temperature ranges, how to measure things correctly, and when to call for medical help.
As a parent, trust your gut. If something seems wrong, don’t wait to call your child’s doctor. They will help you through the first few months of your baby’s life and make sure your child gets the best care possible.
NOTE : This article’s material is for informational only use; it is based on research from several credible sources. See your doctor right away for any medical emergency or health issues involving your child.
Affiliate Disclosure:
A few of the links on this page could be affiliate ones. This means that, should you click and make a purchase, we might get a nominal commission at no additional charge to you. We only suggest items we know will be valuable for our readers. We appreciate your supporting of our blog.