Baby Place

mommy · Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 16 Location: tn

What is actually the normal range for a rectal temp? Are you supposed to subtract any degrees when taking it rectally? I know for underarm, you add 1 degree and 1/10, but what about rectally?

Thanks for the help! First time mom!!!

Mom of 2 · Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 303

Rectal temp. are the most accurate and then axillary. For infants under 3mos. you should contact your dr. if a temp. is over 100.4. 101 or higher is considered a fever in older infants and children. Axillary is generally a degree lower than rectal, but if reporting to a dr. I would just say what the thermometer reads and report where it was taken.