Quick Question: Thermometers

This has been a subject of frustration for me for quite a while. I had one thermometer that I used on m boys rectally that is a digital one that is a "speed reader" -- just a couple of seconds and BAM reading. I thought I'd get one of the Thermascan kind (run it across their forehead and it is supposed to read the temperal artery) but it is NEVER accurate and there is always a different temp each time I take it. It's a $40 piece of junk. I also recently bought a new digital thermometer that supposedly has "modes" for taking the temperature... under arm, rectal and oral. (not that you'd want to use the same one for all regardless of if you use the plastic covers or NOT! eww) but you had to have instructions just about every time you used it b/c it was impossible to remember how to get it to read in each mode. I did like this one b/c it was flexible (material) and the first few times I used it orally, seemed to work well. Tried to use it recently on my 3 year old and I just couldn't figure out how to get it to do an under arm reading..

So good luck to you... don't waste your money on the thermal scan kind.. just get a normal one.... (digital reader)

Victoria,
In the Pedi office I work for we always recommend a digital rectal temp for anyone under 2 years old. After that we recommend a digital under arm thermometer until the child is old enough to actually hold the thermometer under their tongue.

Here is a good article:http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/emergencies/fe...

I will say that our office totally discourages the use of ear thermometers. They have been known to give false high readings, especially in infants and toddlers w/ ear infections.

Hope this helps.

D.

We had a Braun ear thermometer that we got before our son ws born and it worked great. I always heard that they were discouraged by pediatricians too, but it's what our dr used! He had several ear infections and it was always right on accurate. It was't super expensive either. I would have been terrified to use a rectal thermo. The only reason that we don't still use it because I broke it and Walgreens didn't have it in stock when I went to get a new one!

We have been through many thermometers and I just got one that I love...It is the Vicks Speed-Read. It works fast and always seems accurate.

My pedi said it is the ones that you stick under the tongue. She said the digital ones tend to be inconsistant. Hope this helps.

I use the Exergen Temporal Scanner Temporal Artery Thermometer
and I love it. My pedi uses one in his office and he says it gives the most accurate reading. It is fast and easy. I also have a pacifier thermometer, a rectal thermometer, a digital Vicks Speed Read thermometer and a Braun Ear thermometer. I have found that although I do think you can get an accurate read on the Braun Ear thermometer, my 3 year old toddler is a bit too squirmy to stay still long enough to get an accurate read. We also had issues with taking his temp when he had an ear infection. We have had no problems with the temporal artery thermometer. It is always accurate and is easy and painless. The other thermometers were either difficult top take, slow or inaccurate. Happy thermometer hunting and congrats on your pregnancy!

I personally like the ones like the doctor uses for the ear.My doc and even Cooks hospital does as well. They are a little pricey but they are quick and easy to use. Also if the kiddo has a stuffy nose the reading is alot easier to trust than them trying to hold it in their mouth when they can't breathe through their nose. Good luck,N.