Good Thermometer for 18 Month Old

Dear Ali,
I have the forehead (temporal) thermometer and I love it. I used to substitute for the elementary school in Texas and all of their schools had them. We had a head start program there too and it was great for the young kids who wouldn't keep a thermometer in their mouth. I have an Exergen brand that I got at Wal-mart about 2 years ago and it works great.
Good luck. I also have the ear & regular ones but I like there temporal the best.
G.

We use the forehead scanner. Our Dr's office uses it, too. What you need to remember when reacting to a fever is that a fever is the body's way of fighting off infection. Fever is good.

When a fever gets high (depends on the ages of the children) and you need to call your Dr, just tell them which method you used to take the temp. They know the differences between readings from the forehead, underarm, mouth and rear.

My older son has a syndrome called PFAPA where he gets fevers every four to six weeks. They range from 101-105. Yes, they get crazy high! I've realized that fighting to get his temperature is not as important as keeping him comfortable and calm.

Just remember whichever way you use, you need to tell the Dr or react to. Find out the variations of the method and go from there.

I hope this helped you in some way!

We have always used an ear thermometer (Braun) because getting a child to hold it under their tongue, arm etc is not my cup of tea. The pediatrician's office even uses an ear thermometer.

I must tell you this one thing I have found with it. VERY often the temperature is not the same when you take it in both ears. It's puzzling but I usually go by whichever one is higher.

When asked by the pediatrician's office whether they have a temperature I will tell them what it was and tell them it was taken by ear. That has always been acceptable.

I have seen the temporal (?) thermometers at Sam's for less than $30 and pondered one. I wonder if it would be any more accurate but the ear one is quick and painless.

We have the temporal (forehead) thermometer and like it a lot (Sam's Club has them the cheapest). You just have to really learn how to use it properly. Our pediatrician told us that it's fine to use, but it will give a temp that's a little off the rectal one (rectal is MOST accurate, of course). So, she said that basically if the temporal registers over a 101 temp, than our daughter definitely has a fever and we should take the rectal to get a more accurate reading.

We use the temporal artery (forehead) scanner and love it because it's so so so easy to use. I don't think it's quite as accurate (maybe .5 degree out sometimes?) but all I need is a general idea whether my kid has a temperature and if it's too high so it works really well for us.

Hi! I don't know how you and your hubby feel about pacifiers, but I used the ones that are thermometers. Digital read-out on the front... Just a suggestion. Good luck!

My friend's doctor told her the forehead thermometers are not very accurate.
Ear thermometers can be accurate if used correctly. But its difficult to get a toddler to hold still. From what I've read (I have an ear thermometer), you have to pull the child's ear up & back while taking the temperature so the ear canal is all lined up. I've taken the temp w/and w/out pulling & there is a couple degree difference. At some age (I don't remember what age) you no longer are supposed to do that.
I like our ear thermometer, we got it at BBRUS, but I don't remember the brand.

Braun makes a good in the ear themometer. the best way thought when they are young is to put the themometer in the rectum that is the most accurate way. use some vaseline and do it that way. i know they do not like it but is most accurate when they are young.

I'd personally like to get the temporal thermometer, but I hate to put out the money for one. I use one under the arm, its made by Vicks, and it works in 5 seconds. It seems to be very accurate, and it's speed doesn't make temperature taking a battle. Its working good for us and its satisfied me, saving us from putting out the money on the other.

We have a temporal artery one and I like it, but it's not as accurate as the ear one. I can take my own temp with it 3 times in a row and get 3 quite different readings. It is obvious though if they have a temperature and then we get something else to take it more accurately. I've had a Braun ear thermometer since before the boys were born, they are 5.5yo now and it still works great. I use that most of the time.

HI Ali, I bought an ear thermometer for my family years ago when they first became available to the public (I think it was about 16 or so years ago). We still have the same unit and I have always been pleased with it. It is quick and easy to use on toddlers, babies, sick older kids and adults. My results have always been accurate and I have found that when a kid is throwing-up a second or two in the ear is the best way to go!! Best wishes.

I have the forehead thermometer and I love it. I have a 2 and 5 year old. I don't know the brand, but I got it at Walmart. It is so simple and it seems to be accurate.