The most accurate way to take a 2-year-old’s temperature is rectally, but a forehead thermometer is the next best option and far easier with a squirming toddler. Ear thermometers also work well at this age. Whichever method you choose, a digital thermometer is the way to go.
Best Methods for a 2-Year-Old
At age 2, you have several good options. Here’s how they rank by accuracy:
- Rectal: The most accurate reading you can get. This is the gold standard pediatricians rely on.
- Forehead (temporal artery): The next most accurate, and works on children of any age. A quick swipe across the forehead makes this the easiest option for a wiggly toddler.
- Ear (tympanic): Accurate when done properly. Safe for children 6 months and older.
- Armpit (axillary): The least accurate method, but useful as a quick screening tool.
Oral thermometers are not recommended until age 4 or older, since toddlers can’t reliably hold one under their tongue long enough for a good reading.
How to Take a Rectal Temperature
Lay your child belly-down on your lap or on a flat surface. Turn on the digital thermometer and apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the tip. Gently insert the lubricated tip half an inch to one inch into the rectum. Don’t force it. Hold the thermometer in place with one hand while keeping your other hand on your child’s lower back so they stay still. Wait for the beep.
Label any thermometer you use rectally so it doesn’t accidentally get used in someone’s mouth later. Clean it afterward with rubbing alcohol or soap and warm water.
How to Use a Forehead Thermometer
Forehead thermometers read the temperature of the blood vessel that runs across the temple. Brush hair away from the forehead first, and make sure the skin is dry. Sweat can throw off the reading. Place the sensor flat against the center of the forehead and swipe it toward the hairline, following your thermometer’s instructions. Most give a result in about two seconds.
If your child has been running around or just had a bath, wait 15 to 20 minutes before checking. Activity and warm water temporarily raise skin temperature and can give you a falsely high number.
How to Use an Ear Thermometer
Ear thermometers measure infrared heat from the eardrum. For children under 3, gently pull the ear straight back to open the ear canal. (For older kids and adults, you pull up and back instead.) Fit the probe snugly into the ear canal opening and press the button. You’ll get a reading in about one second.
Earwax buildup or an ear infection can affect accuracy. If one ear gives a reading that seems off, try the other ear. And avoid using an ear thermometer right after your child has been lying on that ear, since the trapped warmth can skew the result.
How to Take an Armpit Temperature
Place the thermometer tip in the center of your child’s bare armpit and fold their arm down snugly against their body. Hold it there until the thermometer beeps, which usually takes about 30 seconds to a minute depending on the model. Keep in mind this method is the least reliable. It’s fine as a first check, but if the number looks borderline, follow up with a rectal or forehead reading.
What Counts as a Fever
The number that means “fever” depends on where you measured:
- Rectal, ear, or forehead: 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher
- Oral: 100°F (37.8°C) or higher
- Armpit: 99°F (37.2°C) or higher
These thresholds exist because different body sites run at slightly different temperatures. A rectal reading tends to be about 0.5°F to 1°F higher than an oral reading. An armpit reading runs about 0.5°F to 1°F lower than oral. You may have heard the advice to “add a degree” to an armpit reading, but there’s no exact universal conversion between sites. It’s better to simply report the number you got and the method you used, so your pediatrician can interpret it correctly.
Getting an Accurate Reading
A few things can throw off your toddler’s temperature reading. Bundling them in heavy blankets or clothing can artificially raise a reading, especially at the armpit or forehead. A hot bath, vigorous play, or a warm drink can do the same. Wait at least 15 to 20 minutes after any of these before checking.
Always use a digital thermometer. Glass mercury thermometers are no longer recommended because of the risk of breakage and mercury exposure. If you still have one, contact your local waste disposal service for safe disposal.
Clean your thermometer before and after each use. Rubbing alcohol works well for disinfection, or you can wash the tip with soap and warm water and let it dry completely.
Signs That Need Immediate Attention
A fever by itself is your child’s immune system doing its job, and most fevers in toddlers resolve on their own or with basic care. But certain symptoms alongside a fever are red flags. These include a rash that doesn’t fade when you press a glass against it, a stiff neck, breathing difficulty where the skin pulls in under the ribs, unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking, a weak or high-pitched cry that sounds different from normal, blue or blotchy skin, a seizure, or your child being completely inconsolable or unresponsive to you. Any of these warrants emergency care.