What type of temperature measurement can be taken without waking a sleeping child?

Taking a tympanic temperature is particularly advantageous for measuring the body temperature of a sleeping child because it utilizes an infrared sensor to measure the heat that is emitted from the tympanic membrane (eardrum). This method is quick, often yielding results in just a couple of seconds, which minimizes disturbance.

The ear canal can be accessed easily, and the procedure is generally comfortable for the child, allowing health care providers to obtain an accurate reading without waking them. In contrast, measuring oral or rectal temperatures typically requires the child to be more alert and still, which would likely disrupt their sleep. Axillary temperature measurement, while also non-invasive, is generally less accurate than tympanic measurements and can take longer to obtain a reliable reading. Thus, for a sleeping child, tympanic temperature measurement stands out as the most effective and least disruptive option.