Tommee Tippee Thermometer

[rainbowsockstoday]

When I was pregnant with DC1 we were given a gift box from DPIL full of everything we would need for a baby. So a coming home outfit, handmade blanket, little nail scissors and brush, nappies, wipes, towel, etc and a tommee tippee in ear digital thermometer. It was really thoughtful and the basket was such that it could be used as a toy basket once the baby was here (2yrs on it's now a costume basket).

I'll be honest and say I've never really liked this damn thermometer. I know they are about £35 in the shops and so it was really kind to be bought for us... but I really can't get on with it. I think maybe I just don't know the trick to using it and so need a lesson or five but shouldn't it be simple?!

First problem is it takes about five or six attempts to get any sort of reading from my DC's ear because he hates it and if you move slightly it gives an error code. Plus it takes ages to give a reading so I've got to use all my powers of distraction at once to try and keep it in DC's ear.

Second problem is I don't trust it. It usually gives me a temperature reading of 35.3 (I keep still) and my son 34.7 which would technically mean he's dying. So I did a little test. I used my bbt thermometer and took my temperature which read 37.26 and then I used the tommee tippee one and it said 35.7 for one ear so I did the other at 34.4 which means I died somewhere between swapping ear protector things (we call them witches hats).

Third problem is that it's loud. The beeping noise is so annoying. This isn't a massive problem really but just annoys me.

I want to buy a new one because right now I am just going off "does he feel hot? Do you feel poorly?" Diagnosis of illness and this is very weather dependant because sunshine means my dc will tell me anything to be allowed outside and a measly fever won't stop the world exploration that has to happen right that second. BUT my DH says it's just a waste of money getting another one and I just need to work ours properly.

So.... how does it work? What are the tricks? And why can't a children's thermometer be simple these days?

[lilyborderterrier]

I can't help as I hate mine too, has it for 4 years and it's rubbish, goes through batteries really quickly and when taking a reading ( usually at nighttime when you are trying to be quiet) it beeps and then messes up the reading. After using it last night for my poorly daughter I'm considering buying a new one as I'm so fed up of how useless it is.

[Feckerlino]

Just changed mine for a braun one. I didnt mind it to be honest, but whenever i went to the gp because dd had a temp, theirs always read a full degree hotter. For example, my dd was reading 39.4, took her to GP and she was 40.5!

Her base temp always measured at 36.4 with the TT one. Now i have the braun one, it's 37.3. I trust the braun one a lot more!

[babymilkmama]

Well I took DS to the dr today after getting a reading of 36.1 but he felt hot. They sent us straight to hospital with a 41 degree temp. He's since had a febrile seizure because I left it too long.

[RockCrushesLizard]

I have the same problem. It's shit.
It just about works on adults, but terrible on kids - both of mine have had hypothermia according to it, when I only took their temp because they felt hotter than usual.

The only way round it is to try to get a temp from them when they're healthy, so you know how much higher than their normal temp they are. But given that it varies by around 2degrees from one minute to the next, that's not great either...

[babymilkmama]

In fairness I'd been giving him calpol but it wasn't working and the hospital have him on antibiotics now for tonsillitis, ear infection and sickness. I went twice to the gp and they needed to send us as a precaution. I'm glad I didn't just trust that temp though and used my instincts. The gp yesterday said he would be fine and children get hot.

[AlfaMummy]

I would consider an underarm one. Much more reliable.

[babymilkmama]

@alfamummy do you think the bbt thermometer would work. He won't keep it in his mouth though obviously but it says you can do it under arm.

[shirleycartersaidso]

We actually gave up and went by touch. One dt registered at 33 on a Braun oral one.

[shirleycartersaidso]

Oh and when they were really tiny we had a Phillips one that went in a dummy contraption. Utterly shit and a waste of £.

[babymilkmama]

I've just been going by touch. I kiss him a lot on his forehead and it's usually a good test.