thermometer -which kind?

Ariana2O11 · September 2011

What kind of infant thermometer do you plan to use? Rectal/oral/under arm/in the ear?

cantalopes24 · September 2011

When E was born the NICU nurses sent us home with 2 thermometers that they had been using under arm so that's what we'll use with this baby. I feel weird putting something in my babys butt and am terrified of doing it incorrectly.

StephRuns · September 2011

I registered for a rectal thermometer with the short tip, but they're using an under the arm one at the NICU, so I'll continue to use that one at first.

nicki731 · September 2011

I got an ear thermometer, we'll try that or a regular digital under the arm.

kujayhawkgirl · September 2011

It was recommended to us in our childbirth classes to just use a regular digital under the arm. Our instructor did caution us, though, to add 1 degree since the temperature was not being taken internally.

KrisM86 · September 2011

Rectal thermometer with the short tip. As bad as I feel taking it that way, it is the most accurate way for a young infant, and it only takes a few seconds to get a reading.

EDIT: FWIW, I have worked as a nanny for years and have consistently found the ear thermometers to be wildly inaccurate and varied, especially with infants.

EarthMommi1 · September 2011

As a nurse, I wanted to make sure I had a super good thermometer on hand at home. I originally registered for a family thermometer at target, but we did not get it from our registry so I ended up buying a cheaper one that basically does the same thing. The safety first one that we purchased has 3 different attachments for it, one oral, one shortened for rectal and a flat one for axillary. I love it, genius, IMO.

I don't really think rectally is necessary and can sort of be a PITA (no pun intended) for moms to get the hang of. Personally, I prefer axillary on infants and then IF the temp registered much higher than expected I would then do a rectal to confirm. Other than that axillary is probably the easist.

Oh two more things:

1.) I have little faith in the accuracy of temporal thermometers. They may be easier, but from personal experience, the accuracy sucks, and if not done perfectly you will register the room's temperature instead. Tympanic are good, and if you can get one that fits in a child's ear canal and not an adults then that would be a great option too.

2.) I saw a pacifier thermometer and almost purchased it, I wonder how well that works? Anyone ever try it?

EarthMommi1 · September 2011

kujayhawkgirl:
It was recommended to us in our childbirth classes to just use a regular digital under the arm. Our instructor did caution us, though, to add 1 degree since the temperature was not being taken internally.

This is a widely misconception, and is completely false. I'm sorry your instructor gave you false information. This USED to be done many years ago, and you will find older nurses still do it, although it has proven to be incorrect.

Thermometers today are more accurate than the old mercury ones, there really is no need to add a degree. If you want a more accurate temp and not a "guess" you will need to do oral or rectal as they are the most accurate.

Here is a link from the mayo clinic on how to take temperatures based on age and technique. The last paragraph summarizes not to add or subtract numbers based on the methods used.

https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/thermometer/HQ01481/NSECTIONGROUP=2

christiney06 · September 2011

interesting!! I have never heard of using anything BUT a rectal for a little baby. we used one up til my son was about a year w/ no issues. my pedi won't accept any other form of temp taking and i've always heard it was the most accurate.

Soon2BMrsSikes · September 2011

Rectal. Our pedi said if you call them and tell them your baby has a fever, they're going to ask you how you took the temp. If you didn't take it rectally, they'll ask you t take it rectally and call them back.

cantalopes24 · September 2011

Soon2BMrsSikes:
Rectal. Our pedi said if you call them and tell them your baby has a fever, they're going to ask you how you took the temp. If you didn't take it rectally, they'll ask you t take it rectally and call them back.

Because of changes in insurance we've had 3 pedis and none of them have ever used a rectal therm. Id probably have walked out.

pennysuedog · September 2011

My clinic only wanted a rectal temp because they felt they were most accurate.

RoxanneA · September 2011

pennysuedog:
My clinic only wanted a rectal temp because they felt they were most accurate.

This. My pediatricians office only wants a rectal temp when you call but I use a temporal one on a regular basis. When that one reads high I use a rectal.

TaraDustin · September 2011

The pediatrician that I think we're going to use says they do not recommend the ear scanner ones, and they say just to get a cheap digital thermometer and use it rectally, at least until they are 2 months old. I bought an ear scanner thermometer, but I'll probably just save it to use later on, when it's more reliable.

TaraDustin · September 2011

EJSSBG:
2.) I saw a pacifier thermometer and almost purchased it, I wonder how well that works? Anyone ever try it?

Our pediatrician says not to use these. She says they tend to be inaccurate. That's all I've heard on them!

rubysue267 · September 2011

Eventually I want to invest in an in-the-ear device, but I have an under-the-arm thermometer for now. I had registered for a rectal thermometer, but my brother was like, "I can't do that to my nephew, I just CAN'T" and bought us the under-the-arm version, haha As long as I can accurately tell when my kid has a fever, that's all I care about.

amethyst13 · September 2011

I have all 3 from having 2 kids. I mostly used a regular thermometer under the arm but occasionally had to take a rectal temp if the dr asked for one. If I talked to the dr and told them the temp they'd say how was it taken. The ear thermometers don't work that great with infants since their ears are so small and the thermometer can't get an accurate read. I only use the ear one now on both my older kids and it works great.

Want a personalized experience?

thermometer -which kind?

Re: thermometer -which kind?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards