We are going to be registering in the next few weeks (gender u/s is about a week and a half away) and was wondering if anyone has used a termporal artery thermometer. I'm thinking about registering for one and was wondering how accurate they are. I know they are more expensive. I like the fact that they are non-invasive and convenient but I don't know about their accuracy. I would probably also have a rectal thermometer, too, for back-up. Thoughts?
Re: Thermometers
We have the Vicks Rectal Thermometer and it's really easy to use. My DD is a toddler now and has never once minded or even seemed to notice when we were using it.
I dont have much specific knowledge about the temporal artery thermometers, but I do know that most docs prefer and appreciate the rectal temp as it seems to be the most accurate.
This is what we registered for @ Target:
https://www.target.com/p/Pro-Grade-Complete-Family-Thermometer/-/A-11268327
From what I hear, a rectal thermometer is the most accurate for an infant.
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14
Court
DH 40 ME 40
GD, Myasthenia Gravis, Factor V Leiden
DS #1 born via emergancy c-section 01/23/06 at 37w
DS#2 born via c-section 10/27/2007 at 36w due to PROM
DS #3 born via repeat c-section 04/13/2012 at 39w
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,but by the moments that take our breath away." - George Carlin
Love my temporal thernometer - hate the ear thermometers. You can use the temporal over and over and the kid never even notices or wakes up. It literally takes less than two seconds to get a reading. There's no germs to worry about and if the reading seems off, you can check your own temp as a control. It will also tell you the room temp if you hold it in the air. I have two - best invention ever. The last time I had surgery, the hospital used this kind of thermometer.
With the ear thermometer, it's way too easy to get an incorrect reading. If an ear infection is present, your reading will be too high, and if you don't aim it exactly right in the ear canal, the reading will be way low. My doctor's office has written 94 down for a temp before based on an ear thermometer reading when my child actually had a fever. And if the baby does have an ear infection, shoving a thermometer in his/her ear is torture.