I apologize if this is a silly question but wondering if anyone knows if there is any significance to this. I have one of those thermometers you slide across your child's forehead from the center to the temple. I get a difference of an entire degree on the left and right sides. Is this normal? Thanks for any insight you can provide!
S.
I have one of those as well, and I've found that 1- I'm right handed, so when I try to slide to the left, the probe isn't flush against the temple so it reads the temp wrong, and 2- when my kiddos aren't feeling well, they're usually snuggled up to something, so if I have to make them sit up to take their temp, the side they were laying on will read the temp slightly higher somethings.
Those things are really anal retentive!
Yes. I do not trust those things because of that exact reason. Get the digital in the ear or under the arm, or the good old fashion kind you put under the arm. If you have an infant the best place is up the booty.
K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
I always get a largely different reading on each temple! I am ready to pitch this thermometer and go back to my digital oral one.
I have completely given up on that thermometer. It is completely worthless, IMO. Sorry.
I wouldn't put too much stock in its reading.
HTH! Hope your little one feels better soon!
Those thermometers aren't very accurate. They are great at telling if child has a temperature and a general idea of how high (102 vs. 104) but you can't use them to monitor temperatures down to the .1 degree. As long as the difference you're seeing between sides is less than `1 degree (mine is usually about a .3-.5 degree difference), then it's all normal.
I have always used an ear thermometer and there is sometimes a difference of a couple tenths of a degree in the different ears but that's it. Love the ear thermometer. My son can take him own temp now!
