9 answers

Good Thermometer

Hi,
can anyone recommend an accurate but fast thermometer for a squirmy 14 month old. We had a digital ear thermometer but it did not seem very accurate. Is it better to do it under the arm?? thank you

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thank you so much Mamas!!! We will get one of these forehead thermometers.

Featured Answers

You can get one at CVS that takes the temp from the soft spot on the side of the forehead, on the side of the eys. It is about $30 and ONLY CVS carries them. I was told to get one by my pediatrician. hth

More Answers

They make sticker thermometers you can put on babies. I used them alot and they were always accurate. You can leave them on for several hours, even while bathing them. Hope it helps.

Hey McClain-
All of the previous posts are referring to the same general type I now use. They swipe across the far head and read instantly. They do not hurt at all and can easily be done while a child is sleeping. (a BIG plus in my book) We are on our second one now. (first one broke after several years and was CVS brand) I now use an "Exergen Comfort scanner" which is an infrared thermometer. It measures arterial temperature. Their website if you are interested is- www.exergen.com They are widly available and the website lists retail stores that sell them. Also - this one stands on its own, weighs similar to a cell phone, and my kids really like it!

I have used the temporal (forehead) thermometer now for 3 years. The only place I have been able to find one is at Walgreens. They run around $40. But it is worth it! I have three under 6 and it is sooooo easy. I usually run it across their forehead a couple of times to make sure I get the most accurate temp! The brand is Exergen if that helps too!

I teach four year olds who alo tend to squirm a bit, though I'm sure not as bad as a toddler! I have an arterial thermometer that just swipes across the forehead to the temple and takes the temperature in just a seconf or two. It's has been wonderful to keep in my classroom!

You can get one at CVS that takes the temp from the soft spot on the side of the forehead, on the side of the eys. It is about $30 and ONLY CVS carries them. I was told to get one by my pediatrician. hth

After two years of thermometer frustration I finally broke down and bought the Exergen temporal scan thermometer...although pricey ($40) it's well worth the money and constant wondering if the temp you got whether it be ear, mouth, or under arm was correct. I used my neighbors for several months and finally decided we needed to invest in one for ourselves...it works great and takes about 1 second to quickly swipe it over their forehead. Neither of mine (13 mo and 2 1/2) are bothered by it.
Hope this helps.

Yes, it is better to take a reading under the arm. Digital ear thermometers are not very accurate. If you do use the ear thermometer, take several readings in each ear and get an average reading.
MD's these days are saying you don't have to add or subtract a degree when you take a reading under the arm or rectally. Just use the reading that you got.

Under the arm isn't terribly accurate either. The ear temp would be more accurate if done properly (and I think that can be hard to do with little ones!). They have those new kinds that you swipe across the forehead and it immediately gives you the reading, but I think it's costs a fortune. I thought I saw it advertised for close to $100 but don't quote me on that! We do under the armpit, but it's not terribly accurate.

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