To get them a thermometer as a new baby gift?

[TheBabyAteMyBrain]

Mutual friends of me and dh are due their first baby in Dec, they have a large family and friend circle and the child will be the first grandchild, so they will be inundated with cute outfits, blankets, toys, gifts for mum.

Speaking with dh last night I said it would be a good idea to get them a Braun Thermoscan thermometer as a new baby gift as it's been a life saver for us and our two dc. Dh thinks it's a boring gift and we should do the usual personalised blanket or cute outfits. I think it's practical and will be used straight away from first vaccinations and is one of the things people tend to forget to buy when preparing for a first baby.

So, AIBU? Would you have appreciated a thermometer or should I get the usual bits for a new baby?

I also wouldn't ever have used one. I have a really old under the arm job, and used it maybe once or twice. So much useless stuff is marketed as "essential" these days, it really isn't. I really appreciated gifts for me tbh. The baby doesn't actually need much at all, although to second a pp, I loved the baby towels with hoods and muslins are really expensive and you need lots, the colourful ones are much nicer than the white ones.

It's a brilliant, thoughtful present. As PP have said, you only realize how much you need one when it's the middle of the night and you're really anxious.

Hmmm, seems to be a split opinion.

I love my thermometer (how times have changed). We originally got a cheap one but it was unreliable and picked up the Thermoscan in a mad panic when ds1 was ill years back. It had been invaluable for us to track his temperatures as the child is quite dramatic and can't just be ill he has to go the whole hog 😂 every time we've seen a medical professional they've wanted a run down of his temperature over the previous days.

Maybe I'll just do a useful hamper, with bits suggested up thread.

It was the most useful gift I received and it saved my life when I was 10 days post partum. I decided to check my temperature when I felt awful rather than just going to bed.
Temp was 41c and I had spesis.

Check with them first that they want the gift as they have already bought a thermometer.

Why don’t you ask them if they’d like one?

We got 3-6 months clothes but my son was born in summer and slightly premature. By the time he fitted them, it was winter and he didn’t really need shorts and tshirts. So, something to consider.

I think it's a fab gift! My mum is a nurse and she made me a baby first aid kit which was really helpful. It had things like calpol, paracetamol, metanium cream and other bits and bobs in it. We don't use our thermometer much now DD is 2.5 but we used it loads when she was diddy.

What do you do when your child is sick? Just guess what it is??

Feel their skin, and give them calpol. Sponge them down if very hot.
Knowing the exact temperature doesn't change the treatment. You know if they are REALLY unwell, like fits or hallucinating.

Perfect. There is no need for the 30 Blankets teddy's etc we end up with. Perhaps a little outfit for baby too 😊

Treat the child, not the temperature.

@ArthurtheCatsHumanSlaveyou shouldn't sponge down a child with a temperature. Strip off, but not sponge down.

I get what you're saying about knowing if they have a temperature by feeling them but it's best to know the numbers and when you get into dangerous territory, especially with very young babies.

I don't understand how people can think a thermometer isn't essential. Feeling if a child is hot to the touch isn't useful or accurate. I have had 111 ask me if Calpol has brought my DS's temp down when O have rung them for advice. How would I know that without a thermometer? And he is a hot child anyway and I run hot too, so touching his skin is no indication of anything.

But back to baby presents- if I’m visiting I take food.

I would of liked that as a first baby gift. I use mine all the time with two kids

Why not ask them if there's anything they'd particularly like? They may even have an amazon wish list. Otherwise vouchers are good, as they can be put towards something bigger rather than getting lots of 'stuff' that they may not need/want. Or something a bit more special like a nice print to mark the birth?

I have never, ever been asked for their specific temperature 🙄 touching the back of my hand to their forehead is perfectly sufficient - yep, they feel a bit hot. You can tell when they are unwell!!

I appreciate a thermometer might offer reassurance to some but it definitely is not an essential item.

You really shouldn’t sponge a child down with a high temp. OP a thermometer is a useful gift - ask if they’d like one first and if they do go for it.

I have never, ever been asked for their specific temperature
I’ve been asked lots of times. When I’ve called 111, when I’ve had to take them to A&E - they all ask. I honestly feel like I live on a different planet sometimes when I come on MN. I know absolutely no one IRL who doesn’t have a thermometer for their child or have gone 11 years without ever needing to take a temp.

“ I’ve been asked lots of times. When I’ve called 111, when I’ve had to take them to A&E - they all ask.“
It sounds as if your children have specific health issues, which is of course a different matter.

Thermometer with a gift receipt then they can swap if they've got one!

I think it's a brilliant present! To be honest I'd rather be able to spend the £30+ I saved on not buying the thermometer on clothes I could pick out or a take away or something!

NHS guidance is quite clear that if you suspect a temperature you should use a thermometer to check. You should seek medical advice for a temp over 38 degrees if baby is less than 3 months or over 39 degrees if baby is 3-6 months.

They don’t have any health problems. They’ve had normal childhood issues such as croup etc that’s required 111 calls and the odd A&E trip.

Most useful gift I received was a good quality thermometer when ds1 was born. My children aren't any more sickly than average but it's just such a useful thing to have at home.

I think a £3 thermometer is as good as a swanky one. But I also go by 'my child feels feverish, give em calpol'.

I think thermometers are only useful in cases of serious illness where you're going to need a doctor anyway who will take the temp...

My best practical present is pram handle mittens like these https://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/stroller-mittens-d4650.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiMfqKPV5QIVy7HtCh0FhQhCEAQYAiABEgLJQvDD_BwE

I got one of these when my first son was born, I found it invaluable and used it throughout my children's childhood. It's still working 19 years later.

I’ve been asked if they have a temperature, to which I’d reply yes, they feel hot. Not what their temperature is; there are all sorts of thermometers out there of varying types and they are not all completely reliable so I wouldn’t have thought they’d take a home temperature reading as completely accurate anyway. In my opinion it is not an “essential” item 🤷🏼‍♀️