Having a fussy and crying baby is no fun. You have no idea what is bothering him/her and s/he has no other way to tell you except to cry. This is when having a thermometer is handy. It helps you determine if baby is down with fever, or if it's something else.
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1. Do I Need A Thermometer?
If you think holding your palm against baby's forehead is sufficient to tell whether or not there's a fever going on, let us tell you - that is just not enough as it is simply not accurate.
You see, when it comes to babies (especially newborns), even one or two degrees of discrepancy makes a HUGE difference on whether or not your baby needs to go to the doctor immediately, or not.
A thermometer gives you the peace of mind (well, as much as it can since you'll be downright worried with a sick baby in your hands!) on whether or not baby is really having a fever before you explore other possibilities.
2. The Different Types of Thermometer
Now, don't think using any thermometer will do. There are thermometers specially made for babies and there are certainly different types that cater to children of different ages.
1. Rectal Thermometers
As dreaded as you may be, this is still the best way to get the most accurate temperature of infants. This is because it is just next to impossible to get your little one lay still to let the thermometer does its job, which will affect the accuracy of its measurement when baby moves around. This is the best thermometer for babies up to 3 months old.
2. Ear Thermometers
This is a common option with minimal invasion, however, you will have to know where exactly to place it in the ear to get an accurate reading. It is not suitable for children under 12 months old, as their ear canals may still be too narrow to fit a thermometer.
3. Forehead (Temporal) Thermometers
This is the newest and most advanced way whereby you scan the thermometer onto baby's forehead and the infrared technology will measure the temperature of the temporal artery on the forehead. It is the safest, most accurate and most convenient as you do not need to touch baby in any way, however, it is also the most expensive. Hospitals are also using this method but for babies below 3 months of age, it is still best to check with a rectal thermometer to be sure.
4. Oral Thermometers
This is by putting the thermometer under the tongue to get an accurate reading, however, the same problem of getting your little one to stay still to get a reading still exists. It is therefore best for children 4 years and older.
5. Armpit (Axillary) Thermometers
This is the least accurate method and we'd advise against it unless you don't have a choice.
6. Pacifier Thermometers
This is where a thermometer is built into a pacifier so that when baby suck on it, you get a reading. Sounds like an ingenious invention, however, they are not very accurate. Doctors wouldn't recommend it, and we echo the same sentiment.
3. Top 4 Best Baby Thermometer
Let's move on to our baby thermometer reviews to see what's the best baby thermometer for you.
1. Best Thermometer For Newborn
The Vicks Baby Thermometer is specially designed to measure rectal temperature of babies. Many parents agree that it is definitely one of the best baby rectal thermometer in the market!
One of the reasons we think it is the best rectal thermometer for newborns is that it has short probe which helps to guard against over-insertion *shudders*. This way, it takes away the fear and uncertainty about whether you are pushing it too far to that it may be dangerous to baby. It also has a compact design which makes it easy to hold for parents.
In terms of accuracy, parents have reported that it is very accurate, and that it takes about 10 seconds only to get a reading. This is good news because you don't want to keep baby uncomfortable for any longer than necessary.
Overall, the Vicks Baby Thermometer is the best infant thermometer to get a quick and accurate reading for newborns up to 6 months of age.
2. Best Forehead Thermometer
You know you are looking at the best temporal thermometer in the market when you know the Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer is used by premier hospitals nationwide! There are many exergen temporal artery thermometer review out there, and here's ours.
All you need to do is just swipe the end of the thermometer gently on your baby's forehead and the red LED lights will capture naturally emitted heat from skin over the temporal artery. It takes 1,000 readings per second before selecting the most accurate, and it will let you know the correct scan by giving out a soft beeping sound.
Its accuracy matches that of the best rectal thermometer, as it scans the temporal artery that is directly connected to the heart via the carotid artery which has the constant blood flow needed for an accurate measurement. It is the best temporal thermometer for baby because it is least invasive, and you can use it on your sleeping child as it requires minimal contact.
If you're looking for the best infrared thermometer, look no further. Not only is the Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer one of the best child thermometer available in the market, it is also the best thermometer for adults that we'd highly recommend!
3. Best No Touch Thermometer
If the temporal thermometer above still does not sound good enough, and you want a completely touch-less thermometer, then the JDDZ Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer is the best non contact thermometer for you.
It has an ultra-sensitive sensor and optical system that capture twice as much body heat compared to traditional forehead thermometers so it produces unparalleled accuracy. If the temperature detected is beyond the fever alarm temperature (38 degrees celcius), then the fever alarm will beep to alert you. Otherwise, it scans quietly without beeping so that it wouldn't wake your baby up.
And yes, it doesn't required you to press the sensor onto the forehead so it's 100% contact-less, ensuring no germ is spreaded in the process. What's better, is that it takes only 0.5 seconds to get a reading, you can basically say it measures instantly with no waiting time. Best when you're dealing with a fussy child!
Doctor-tested and FDA-approved for your child's safety, the JDDZ Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer is the best forehead thermometer for baby that doesn't require contact in any form. Clinically graded, it is the best thermometer for toddlers and beyond that you can trust and rely on.
4. Best Ear Thermometer
Our choice of the best ear thermometer for baby is hands down the Braun Ear Thermometer.
Unlike other ear thermometers, the Braun Ear Thermometer features a patented pre-warmed tip that makes all the difference. It minimises the cooling effect on the ear canal (which may be the case if you use room-temperature tips) so that you get the most accurate results possible. It takes only a few seconds to get an accurate reading by measuring the infrared heat generated by the eardrum and surrounding tissue.
If you worry it will be tricky to find the correct position in the ear, there is a guidance system that gives visual and audible reassurance that the thermometer has been placed correctly. It also has a memory function that recalls the last temperature reading so you can know instantly if there's any improvement on baby's condition.
With this thermometer though, you do need to use a new clean lens filter for each measurement. This is to protect the soft tip from scratches, as well as from earwax, which may adversely affect its accuracy. Also, you will want to eliminate the risk of spreading germs from one person to another if the whole family is sharing the same thermometer, which this one is certainly up to par as one of the best digital thermometer for adults. Don't worry, they have already included 21 lens filters in the box, and if you'd ever run out, they can be bought separately at a very affordable price.
With all the braun ear thermometer reviews out there, we are sure many share the same sentiment as us that the Braun Ear Thermometer is one of the top rated thermometer for those who want to measure temperature from the ear. Once you've mastered how to position it, it can be the best thermometer for kids.
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