Ear Thermometers

Not very accurate I bought one against the wishes of my pharmacist wish I didn't you can take it and it says 96.5 2 secs later it will be 99.8 they stink! Forehead ones don't work either rectal is most accurate only way I will take my 2 year olds now she doesn't like it but at least ya know it's accurate :-)

Hi,
I think that the ear thermometers are not that accurate. I also have on that is not an ecpensive on and I use it on my daughter the one day and it only said that her temp was 96.5 but she felt warmer than that. And when I finally faught to get her temp under her arm it was really 102.9. So I don't think that they are that accurate. What I do if my husband is around I would have him help me take her temp under her arm. I would see if your husband can help you hold him or something. Well good luck!

I asked our pediatrician her opinion and she doesn't like them. She says they aren't accurate, in part because you have to position it at a certain angle to get a proper reading.

My kids, ages 2 1/12 and 3 1/2, have recently gotten better about me taking their temps. We have a digital thermometer and they both like to help by taking it out of its case and pushing the button to turn it on and off. Maybe getting your son involved in that way and having him practice on you or some stuffed animals would help.

K.,

They make an under arm one that's shaped so that the digital readout faces up and the underarm part lies flat under the arm. Maybe by allowing your son to see the numbers might be an incentive for him to cooperate.

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I have always and continue to take my children's temp rectaly. My oldest is 5 now. My little guy Ryan (2) just goes with the flow in our house. But we've doen that from infancy so that's all they know except in the Dr's office.

The ear ones are excellent, but must be used properly to be accurate. Best of luck!

Rolinda
Wife, Mother, Friend

I bought a cheap ear thermomater and it was painstakingly stupid! You'll know if its not accurate. Mine kept giving me errors and saying it was too cold, too hot. Most our temperatures were like 94 degrees. Hopefully you'll have better luck. We threw it away and my oldest kept the case to keep his little treasures in!
If you have to go back to digital underarm give your child a choice by saying now you can hold this under your arm and we can snuggle and read a book till its done or mummy can hold you down and we can do it that way. Sounds silly but I have had to do this with my kids and teeth brushing and opening their mouths for mummy. After a while they realize they prefer choosing to open their mouths rather than have mummy force it open!
The practicing on teddy bears is also a really good idea!

They are great. They are very accurate as long as you follow the directions properly. I used one when my son was little. Loved it!