August 2012 Moms
Best rectal thermometer?
STM's - what do think is the best/easiest rectal thermometer (brand)? I heard Vicks and others. Should I get one now or wait and see what my pedi suggests once LO is here?
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Re: Best rectal thermometer?
Mom of 2 monkeys and 1 on the way!
Christian12/06, Liam 08/12, Monkey #3 10/10
I'm a FTM but the doctor that will be our pediatrician recommended not using a rectal thermometer. Like pp said it is a very delicate area.
They instead recommended digital thermometers that can go under the arm (she said the child is also much leff fussy for this). We got a Vick's thermometer.
Proud Mama to cleft cutie
I would ask your pedi. The hospital I used to work at we taught moms how to do rectal temps because the pedis expect parents to be able to give them rectal temp measurements if they called about fevers. You don't really need a special thermometer though, just a regular thermometer and lubrication (most moms use Vaseline, but surgilube and ky jelly are fine). We were gifted several thermometers, so I kept two. One we will use for the underarm for "screening" (checking to see if baby has a fever to see if we need to take that next step, lol). The second one we will use for rectal temps and is an American Red Cross one that is pretty foolproof, just in case DH needs to do it when I'm not home.
I would ask your pedi. The hospital I used to work at we taught moms how to do rectal temps because the pedis expect parents to be able to give them rectal temp measurements if they called about fevers. You don't really need a special thermometer though, just a regular thermometer and lubrication (most moms use Vaseline, but surgilube and ky jelly are fine). We were gifted several thermometers, so I kept two. One we will use for the underarm for "screening" (checking to see if baby has a fever to see if we need to take that next step, lol). The second one we will use for rectal temps and is an American Red Cross one that is pretty foolproof, just in case DH needs to do it when I'm not home.
I would ask your pedi. The hospital I used to work at we taught moms how to do rectal temps because the pedis expect parents to be able to give them rectal temp measurements if they called about fevers. You don't really need a special thermometer though, just a regular thermometer and lubrication (most moms use Vaseline, but surgilube and ky jelly are fine). We were gifted several thermometers, so I kept two. One we will use for the underarm for "screening" (checking to see if baby has a fever to see if we need to take that next step, lol). The second one we will use for rectal temps and is an American Red Cross one that is pretty foolproof, just in case DH needs to do it when I'm not home.
My son has febrile seizures and we ONLY trust the rectal temp. This is also the temp that the pedi office asks for. I use the under arm or forehead ones for screening purposes only, but always trust the rectal temp. I find that if I take the temp 3 times in a row with the forehead or underarm thermometers I get three different readings and it drives me crazy. Since my son has had seizures at the onset of temps and they generally happen at the 101 threshold, we are very sensitive to any elevated levels.
Taking a rectal temp is super easy and I would not say that it is easy to jam it up too far. You would have to really be forcing it for that to happen. I use petroleum jelly and just slide it in a bit while he lays on his back and I hold his feet up in the air like I am about to wipe his butt from a dirty diaper. It takes 2-3 seconds before it beeps and that is it. I don't know the brand and don't think it really matters.
Not all hospitals send you home with a thermometer.
This exactly! We've met with two pediatricians and both said NOT to do rectal temps.
BFP #1 and M/C 5/2011
BFP #2 7/1/2011, Blighted ovums officially diagnosed at 9w6d, D&C 8/19/2011.
BFP #3 12/7/2011, EDD 8/15/2012, Harper Lorelai born 8/09/12
Mom of 2 monkeys and 1 on the way!
Christian12/06, Liam 08/12, Monkey #3 10/10