Types of children’s thermometers

It’s always difficult for parents when their children are sick, but it can be especially worrying when the child is an infant. Babies can’t tell you exactly where it hurts or what’s wrong, so you have to rely on your parenting skills to figure out what illness they may be suffering from. One of the first things you should do is take your child’s temperature. Technology has made it possible to choose from a variety of thermometers on the market, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the common types of thermometers and how they might help you when your baby is sick.

pacifier thermometer

If your baby is extremely irritable and difficult to calm down, then a pacifier thermometer may be the best way to get a reading, and your baby doesn’t even know anything is different. However, these thermometers must be held in the mouth without moving for three to five minutes, which can be more difficult for infants or children with nasal congestion. Many doctors also believe that pacifier thermometers do not give accurate readings and may request a reading from a different thermometer.

Tympanic thermometers

Tympanic or digital ear thermometers can give you an accurate temperature if your child is older than six months and does not have a buildup of earwax or a curved ear canal. These thermometers are easy to use and can provide reliable readings in older children and adults. They are not recommended for newborns because the ear canals are too narrow to position the thermometer correctly.

infrared thermometers

Temporal artery thermometers are used to scan the temperature of the artery in the forehead and give fairly accurate results when used correctly. Many pediatricians’ offices even use this type of infrared thermometer on their patients. Temporal artery thermometers can be used in children as young as 3 months of age, and can even be accurate for newborns. They are extremely easy to use, but are more expensive than other types of thermometers.

digital thermometers

Digital thermometers can be used in the mouth, in the armpit, or in the rectum. Rectal readings are the most accurate for newborns under three months, and this is made much less bothersome with the use of thermometers that can take a reading in less than a minute. Be sure to label your thermometers so you know which should be used rectally and which should be used orally.

There are various types of thermometers on the market and it can be confusing for parents to decide which one is best. If you’re still having trouble choosing the perfect thermometer for your baby, then talk to your pediatrician to see which one they recommend.