A thermometer is one of the most useful baby-health essentials to have ready before you need it. You do not need an expensive or complicated model. For babies and children under 5, NHS guidance recommends using a digital thermometer in the armpit.
If you are putting together a wider set of health essentials for home, see the baby medicine cabinet checklist
What type of thermometer is best for a newborn?
For most families, a simple digital thermometer is the best place to start.
The NHS advises taking the temperature of children under 5 by placing a digital thermometer in the armpit. This method is straightforward, non-invasive and gives you a clear number to work with if your baby seems unwell.
You can buy digital thermometers from pharmacies, supermarkets and online. Whichever model you choose, read the manufacturer's instructions before you first need to use it. There is also one included in the Baby Health Box we offer.
How do you take a newborn baby's temperature?
Hold your baby comfortably and place the thermometer in the top of their armpit. Keep their arm gently but firmly against their body for as long as the thermometer's instructions say. Many digital thermometers beep when the reading is ready.
Try to take the temperature when your baby has not just had a bath, been wrapped in lots of clothing or been in a very warm room, as these can temporarily affect the reading.
For more on what the number means, see what temperature counts as a fever in a baby
What temperature is considered a fever?
The NHS defines a high temperature in babies and children as 38°C or above.
Age matters. If a baby is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38°C or higher, or if the baby is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher, the NHS advises seeking urgent medical advice.
Do you need an ear or forehead thermometer?
There are several types of thermometer available, but for a newborn you do not need to make things complicated. NHS baby guidance specifically recommends a digital thermometer used in the armpit for children under 5. That makes a standard digital thermometer a sensible first choice for a baby health kit.
What should you look for when buying one?
The most useful features are simple ones:
- a clear digital display
- instructions that are easy to follow
- a signal or beep when the reading is complete
- a design that is easy to clean
- a working battery
You do not need a thermometer with lots of extra features for it to be useful.
Where should you keep your baby's thermometer?
Keep it somewhere easy to find, ideally with the other health essentials you may need when your baby is unwell. Avoid storing medicines or medical items where children can reach them.
If your baby becomes unwell at night, having the thermometer in a predictable place can remove one small piece of stress. See what to do if your baby gets ill at night
A simple rule to remember
For a newborn, a digital thermometer used in the armpit is a sensible choice and follows NHS guidance. More important than buying the most expensive thermometer is knowing where yours is, knowing how to use it and knowing when a temperature needs medical advice.