Let’s Talk Babies

All it takes it one trip to the thermometer section of your local store to see how endless the options are.  There are so many different ways to take your child’s temperature, so many different types of devices, just so many choices.  When faced with all these options it can be difficult to make a decision on what thermometer is the right thermometer for you.  As I’ve learned with my own daughter you often have to try a few different types before you find one that best meets your family’s needs.

As you stand in the thermometer aisle and stare at all the available options how do you make a choice, how do you pick just one (or even 2) thermometer to bring home with you?  It all boils down to what you are looking for, what type of thermometer you want, how you want to take your child’s temperature and how accurate you want the reading to be.  To help boil down the basics I’ve listed the various available options below including what part of the body they read the temperature from, how accurate they are and a few pros and cons.

Rectal Thermometers: Rectal thermometers will give you the most accurate reading of your child’s temperature.  However, rectal thermometers are not for everyone. Older children will not appreciate having their temperature taken this way and many parents are comfortable using them.  They work best on smaller children, particularly babies.  If you are looking for the most accurate reading and don’t mind taking your child’s temperature rectally than this is the option for you.

Oral Thermometers: Oral thermometers are probably some of the most common, this is how my mom always took our temperature as children.  The accuracy of the oral thermometers is good, if used correctly (meaning your child keeps it below their tongue the whole time).  The oral thermometers offer convenience, you don’t have to take their clothing off to get a reading, and they are often quick (especially the newer varieties).  However, young children, especially babies and toddlers, may have trouble using them as they need to be able to keep the thermometer under their tongue.  If you are looking for fairly good accuracy, convenience and your child is old enough to keep the thermometer under their tongue than this may be the right choice for you.

Armpit Thermometers: Armpit thermometers are convenient and do provide fairly accurate readings, however, it is easy to get a false reading if the room is too cold or your child doesn’t keep their arm down until the reading is complete.  If you have a small child and you aren’t comfortable with the rectal thermometer than armpit thermometers are a good alternative, just remember that the accuracy isn’t going to be as good.  Many doctors recommend adding 1 degree to the reading to get a better idea of what your child’s temperature is.

Ear Thermometers: Ear thermometers offer a very quick, convenient way to measure your child’s temperature, however, their accuracy isn’t the greatest.  With small children it can be difficult to get the ear piece situated properly to get an accurate reading.  That being said it is a great way to tell if your child is running a fever and you can always use another type of thermometer later if you need a more accurate reading.   This is the type of thermometer I use with my daughter because it allows me to get a reading of her temperature quickly without upsetting her too much.

Forehead Thermometers: Forehead thermometers, like the ear thermometer mentioned above, offer a very quick, comfortable, convenient way to take your child’s temperature.  Their readings, again like the ear thermometers, are not incredibly accurate.  The biggest downside to the forehead thermometers is the price.  They cost significantly more than the other options out there.

As you can see your options are endless.  Not only are their at least 5 different types of thermometers but there will be endless options within each type.  Your best bet is to decide where on the body you are most comfortable taking your child’s temperature (and which option they are old enough to use) and go from there.  You will likely end up with several different types.  I have 3 different thermometers at my house, an ear thermometer, one that does both oral and underarm readings and another that does just oral readings.

If you have questions about which type thermometer you should purchase try talking to your child’s pediatrician to see what they recommend, you could also talk with your pharmacist or your friends and family with children to get their opinions as well.

Happy thermometer shopping

Care to comment