Most accurate thermometer reader?

[Mumlifeandstuff]

My son felt a little hot today, not too bad but a little. Ear thermometer said 36.7, forehead one said 37.9.

not sure what one is right or wrong!

I bought the ear one as they’re supposed to be more reliable.

Also to add middle of forehead reads same as ear thermometer but the sides of forehead give higher reading

A few weeks ago I took my little one to the hospital because of a high reading on our head thermometer, but the doctors and nurses there said to use under the arm and that this is much more accurate than head. I think they said ear is good for an older child so depends how old your child is. They all said forehead isn't as reliable.

(I have also found that different readings from different parts of forehead!)

Under armpit for a little one, or a very good in ear like a Braun that can adjust by age. Wouldn’t trust a forehead one.

If DC is still very young, I’d err on the side of caution and trust my instincts. Under 12 weeks, get on the phone to 111 or head straight to Paeds A&E. Older than that, GP esp if there are other worrying symptoms (rash, lethargy, off food, etc) too.

Our GP surgery use the same Braun in-ear one we have, so they must be pretty reliable. We used an under-arm one when he was a tiny baby as advised by NCT. But if he feels warm and is out of sorts, and you're getting a reading of a higher temp when he's been out of bed and in a cool-ish room, he most likely does have a fever.

I often find one ear reads very different to the other, so always check both. This is especially common with an ear infection.