Lay your child face down across your lap. Put a dab of petroleum jelly (sample brand name: Vaseline) on the end of the thermometer. Then gently insert the thermometer into the childs anus until the silver tip is not visible (1/4 to 1/2 inch [6 to 12 millimeters] inside the anus). Hold the thermometer in place. A glass thermometer takes about 2 minutes. Most digital thermometers need less than 1 minute.
Graphic 74460 Version 7.0
View Originalfigure 1Measuring rectal temperature
Lay your child face down across your lap. Put a dab of petroleum jelly (sample brand name: Vaseline) on the end of the thermometer. Then gently insert the thermometer into the child's anus until the silver tip is not visible (1/4 to 1/2 inch [6 to 12 millimeters] inside the anus). Hold the thermometer in place. A glass thermometer takes about 2 minutes. Most digital thermometers need less than 1 minute.
Graphic 74460 Version 7.0
View OriginalMeasuring ear temperature
To take an ear temperature, pull your child's ear back before inserting the thermometer. Then hold the probe in your child's ear for about 2 seconds.
Graphic 61085 Version 5.0
View Originalfigure 2Measuring ear temperature
To take an ear temperature, pull your child's ear back before inserting the thermometer. Then hold the probe in your child's ear for about 2 seconds.
Graphic 61085 Version 5.0
View Original