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Baby Thermometer

15 replies

chocolatesparkle · 08/04/2012 11:23

Can anyone recommend a thermometer to check on a babies temperature, suitable from newborn? I guess that the ones for I the mouth are not suitable. Would people recommend the digital ear ones, or the forehead ones? Grateful for any suggestions.
Thanks.


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CogitoErgoSometimes · 08/04/2012 11:39

My doctor gave me some very sound advice which was 'don't buy a thermometer'. His rationale was that a high temperature is not necessarily a bad thing, it just means the body is fighting illness. Seeing a high temp on the read-out can therefore make us unnecessarily anxious. If the child looks hot but is otherwise OK, keep them cool and treat with paracetamol or equivalent. If they seem distressed, listless, in pain, or anything else as well as being hot, call the doctor straight away.

NotInMyDay · 08/04/2012 11:45

I disagree. I am not a panicky parent so maybe that helps but I like my thermometer. We use a Braun in ear one. I find it useful to 'chart' the fever i.e. see whether it responds to the medicine and when it's low enough for me to put them to bed.

Iggly · 08/04/2012 11:48

You can get in ear and forehead ones combined. We've got one, as PP said.

Ds has had some nasty fevers where he's felt hot to the touch but other times he's felt hot and we're not sure. Also helps you tell if his temp is going down.

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MrsJohnDeere · 08/04/2012 11:51

Same as Cogito.

Go with your instinct as to whether they are unwell or not.

CarpeJugulum · 08/04/2012 12:07

I have a Braun in ear thermometer. This one with these disposable covers or hygiene (as doesn't work without them).

I do use my own judgement, as to what I'm going to do in terms of Calpol etc, but i find it much easier if visiting the GP to say "DS was running a temp of xxxx" rather than just "he felt hot". It gives them a more obvious background to work with. (We visit GP reasonably regularly as DS is asthmatic and often gets chest infections).

Also, one of the standard checks is taking temperature and using the same style at home has definitely made DS a lot calmer during checks as he knows what's happening.

Iggly · 08/04/2012 14:46

Actually babies and children can run fevers and seem well in themselves.

insancerre · 08/04/2012 14:49

agree 100% with cogito
People are far too quick to reach for the calpol

bemybebe · 08/04/2012 14:53

i have Vicks Gentle Touch and it is fab. Any house should have a thermometer to measure the temperature if necessary.

Meglet · 08/04/2012 14:54

I love our ear thermometer. I can do it when the dc's are asleep.

I check our temps even when healthy as it's intersting to see the differences between our normal temps.

insancerre · 08/04/2012 14:58

meglet the winter nights must just fly past in your house Grin

Meglet · 08/04/2012 15:12

One day I'll do a spreadsheet Grin.

Fizzylemonade · 08/04/2012 22:29

We have a forehead one, I didn't like the idea of poking one in my newborn's ear PFB 9 years ago Grin

I actually agree with Meglet, I run at a rather cool temp normally and we tested the children who both run cooler than normal. So when they hit 37 and seem unwell too then I reach for the calpol, or any other generic and much cheaper own brand Grin

nathanlon · 01/10/2016 15:43

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ODog · 02/10/2016 13:36

Dr at the children's ward of my local hospital said the cheap digital underarm thermometers are the most accurate. £5 ish.

Heirhelp · 02/10/2016 20:15

We were given a braun one As a gift. When I developed spesis after c section it possibly saved my life. The dr said if I had not gone to hospital until morning I would have been lucky to make it to icu. I think every home should have one.

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