Thermometer Recommendations for 11 Month Year Old

Updated on August 11, 2008
A.O. asks from Henderson, CO
8 answers

I currently have a safety 1st accu-touch forehead thermometer. My doctor's office tested it for me when I took my daughter in for an ear infection a couple of months ago and it tested okay at the time. However, tonight I took her temperature about 5 times with it and the readings ranged from 101.2 to 97.0. I don't trust it and I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem and has any suggestions for a better thermometer that actually works.

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K.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

We took my daughter to an instacare one Saturday, and I was very surprised when they used a forehead thermometer; I had always understood them to be inaccurate? Maybe that is just my perception and obviously not fact since a Dr. office used one! Anyway, I have 20-m.o. twins and we have been using an ear thermometer since they were about the same age as your daughter; I did rectal up until then, but once they started on solid food I was done with that! We bought a Braun brand ear thermometer for about $25 at a local grocery store, and the probe covers are only $5 for 20 or 30 in a box. We have never had problems with it, and it is super fast and easy to use: perfect for toddlers. That would be my personal recommendation, but good luck with whatever you choose!

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M.H.

answers from Boise on

We had alot of problems with thermometers. They would work for awhile and then stop working after only a few months. About two yrs ago we bought a Braun Thermoscan. It goes in the ear. It has never steered us wrong. There is even a light on it that lets you know if you have it in the ear at the right angle. Other than colors and maybe brand it is just like the one the dr. my kids see uses. I paid around
30-40$ for it at Wal-mart. I don't remember how much the covers are. But the price was well worth it. If you buy an ear one, be picky. We had one that stopped working after a few months. It is better to splurge for a better one than to buy a cheapo.

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K.M.

answers from Grand Junction on

My nephews wife used them I'm not sure what happened I think it quit working so she went and bought one of those fancy ones you put in the ear (like they use at the dr office)And seems to like it alot better. Her kids get sick a lot, second daughter has asthesma real bad but the two she has with my nephew are okey now that they are older.
Good luck I hope this helps.

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S.K.

answers from Denver on

I've found digital thermometers to be really unreliable. I've tried 3 or 4 different digital ones and some seem better than others, but I don't trust them overall, and finally went back to the old fashioned mercury type. I know doctors' offices all use them now, and can't quite understand why.

If you do keep using one, I read somewhere that if you take the temp in the ear you need to assume it's reading 1 degree lower than actual, and something similar if you take the temp under the child's arm. I don't know if that applies to the forehead but I am guessing it may.

Just as an aside, my three year old suddenly BIT the end off a mercury thermometer a couple of months ago while using it - that was scary, but thankfully all was ok. I had no idea that was possible till it happened. Might keep that in mind in case your child is a biter as she grows older!

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K.H.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I only use the one in the ear and it works well. I know you can get it at Wal-Mart. I don't remember the brand but I would recommend getting one that you take the temperture in the ear. Good luck.

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C.W.

answers from Grand Junction on

Check the batteries first, as if they are starting to fade they can affect the reading of the unit. Another pretty good (and not so expensive) option is to get a regular digital thermometer or flexible digital thermometer and take her temperature under her arm. Put the probe in her arm pit, and help her "hug" it until it beeps. Add 1 degree, and you have a pretty accurate reading.

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D.K.

answers from Denver on

I have always used a thermometer and taken a reading under my kids arm, adding a degree. It is always accurate. Go get one for like $10 at Target and use that, mine are digital ones. I can say with two kids and seven years of taking temps that this is the most accurate way ever for us. The ones that go in the ear are expensive and may not be suitable for a 11 mos old. Ask your Dr

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L.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Hi A.
We have an ear thermometer (that I spent a lot of money on) and I have tried it on my 10 month old a few times, and the readings are always different even when I take it a few seconds apart. Our pediatrician said really the best way is to take it rectally. The first few times we took it that way, I was a little nervous, but it's really not a big deal. You can buy a regular digital thermometer (not very expensive), it will say if it can be used rectally. That way you know if you are getting the best reading. Hope this helps!

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