Looking for a Reliable Infant Thermometer

We have a relatively cheap thermometer we bought at walmart or target, we use it under arm and it works fine. It does take a while to read, and we do have to add the 1 degree for under arm. I have heard that the instant reads are sometimes less acurate? Good luck

I have the Braun ear thermometer and I love it. It is easy to use and it does not take that long to get a reading from it.

I think I've tried every thermometer out there (and every location for taking a temperature)!! I never had any luck with the Braun ear thermometer. The temp in the ear is lower than in the mouth or tush, so it's hard to judge what the temp really is and if you need to be worried. Also, the underarm was nearly impossible because none of my kids would lay still enough to get an accurate reading! Unfortunately, I have to tell you that the tush is the best place for a truly accurate reading, and my pediatrician always asks me for a temp from that spot :( If you do it right, it won't cause your son any pain, and I always use a little dab of KY to make it easier for everyone! Just remember not to push the thermometer in too far..just enough to cover the silver tip and you should be OK.

I was told by my doc that they only trust rectal measurements for diagnosing and determining fevers. So, unfortunately, with an infant or small child, that is the only thing you can do. I would imagine any good quality digital thermometer that can be used rectally should give you an accurate measurement. It sounds like you have one of those. Good luck.

We have a Braun digital ear thermometer-(Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer) It's the same one they have at our Dr's office, and our readings match theirs pretty accurately... It is about $50 at Target- BUT it is SO EASY to use- It only takes a few seconds to give you a temp, and the kids actually like it- They call it "EarBeeps" (it beeps gently when it has the temp) I was worried about spending so much on it, but I am SO happy with it I wish I had bought it earlier (My twins are 2.5 now) It has little plastic covers for the lens, and we do end up going through them pretty fast when both kids have a cold, so be sure to buy extra if you decide to get one. (It comes with the equivalent of one box when you buy the thermometer.) I sort of wish that it didn't need the covers (adding to the trash...) but again, it works so well, I am able to forgive that. (I'll just plant more trees!)

Have you asked at the doctor's office what they prefer? When my daughter was an infant, the nurses told us plainly: "We prefer that parents do rectal temperatures because it's just the most accurate." They said that the infant ear thermometers you or I could buy are not as accurate as the ones they have in medical offices and that the various instructions to add X or Y degrees to some ear or underarm temperatures are too tricky and not reliable for many families. Basically when new mom friends have asked me I've said, get a good digital thermometer that you reserve for the baby's rectal use only, buy those plastic probe covers that fit it, buy some K-Y (water based only) jelly and just learn to take a rectal temp without being squeamish. Honestly, you may want to practice it before you're afraid the baby has a fever, so you're not nervous the first time you really need to do it when you think the baby's sick. It's not pleasant and seems unnatural to us adults, I know, but that's what worked for us and what our nurses told us was really best for getting them the information they needed. Others out there might have had different experiences or found products their doctors said were better....

Sadly I've had no luck with my extremely expensive ear thermometer. My readings are always 40 or 50 degrees regardless on who I try it on. I have had/used several digital ones though and have always used them under the arm. Keep in mind when you check his temp under the arm you need to add one degree. For example, if the reading is 99.3 it's actually 100.3. The one I have now that I like a lot is made by ReliOn. I like it because it is "quick read" and usually takes literally no more than 10 seconds whereas others can take up to 3 minutes. I bought mine at Walmart and for the life of me can't remember how much it was but it wasn't that expensive and is completely worth it.

Good luck and congrats on never having a fever!!!!

K. - SAHM of 2 boys, 5 and 2

We still use our children's underarm thermometer--for everyone in the house. It seems to be the only one that comes close to matching our *shh!* mercury thermometer.

We use a vicks underarm thermometer. Very accurate. I was one to always do a rectal because I also couldn't find a reliable one. But the vicks underarm (the part you put under the arm is round and opposed to straight) is very accurate and fast, takes 10-15 seconds to do.
If you are ever iffy about your child having a fever--rectal is best and always accurate.

I loved my Braun ear thermometer and it was very reliable until it was thrown down our stairs by one of my children... However a little expensive but it took seconds to read the temp... My sister has a wonderful forehead thermometer that also takes seconds to get the temp. (both cost around 30-50 dollars) and make sure they take normal batteries and buy quality batteries... I also love the forehead strip that is like a sticker (reuseable) I have no idea where my mom got hers though. I had the safety first ear thermometer and didn't like it, it also took a really expensive round battery that didn't seem to last very long...

A rectal temperature for the age of your child is the best at taking temperature, but I always used my ear thermometer at home and if there was a temp-we let the doctors do the rectal thermometer. (that has only happened once in four years and two children) For the most part the ear thermometers are accurate enough to keep you informed- If your child has a temp and you give him tylenol before you go to the doctor they will not generally need to do a rectal reading because the armpit reading showed the temperature was down. In general I have not been to a doctor that does a rectal reading without the presentation of an extreme temperature from an armpit reading.

Your child just may not be getting a fever- I have had my oldest child have a terrible ear infection that started the day after a check up (no sign of it the day of the check up) and he never ran a temp, he got so cranky that his whole disposition was intolerable... after two days of it I went back and asked and she checked his ears and there was an ear infection- the only sign I had of it was his cranky, terrible disposition... that was caused by the pain of the infection- I never got a reading of a temp and neither did the doctor... So unfortunately a low grade temp would have helped clue me in but it doesn't always happen...

Thermometers are hard because babies are always moving and don't want probed... Good Luck

L.

Try the cheap (under $5) strips that lay across the forehead or any other part of his body. These were recommended to me by an Er Nurse. They are EASY & quick and work on ALL ages. They have color that changes w/ the temp (much like the stick on ones for aquariums) and is easy to read. You should be able to find them by the pharmacy counters- I think I got mine at Walgreens.
All the other apparatus's freaked my son out and took too long-two minutes is like two hours!
Not to mention at Mom getting freaked out by the 'wiggle' factor involved in the insertion technique traditionally used w/ babies!

You just might be lucky. My daughter is 5yrs old. She did have temp. but they didn't happen until she was teething. I used any typical thermometer. I didn't find the ear ones or forehead ones to be any better than the rest. I found them hard to read or get a reliable reading. But to be honest the rectal ones are the best, when all else failed i would go rectal. It's not as heard as it sounds and its the BEST way to find out when there is a temp. Since it's very important to know.

Hi J.,

Some children, infants, adults run a low grade fever. Don't worry, when a child is sick, you will know it. Your thermometers are fine.

Hope this helps. D.

I have had great luck with the Exergen Temporal Thermometer. It runs across the forehead and has always given me an accurate reading. I have taken it to the doctor with me to compare temps and it was right on.