You need to be able to measure your baby's temperature reasonably accurately - babies don't have the same level of control over their body temperature that adults do. Touching your baby's forehead or neck with your hand will give you a rough guide - but don't use your baby's hands to try and estimate their temperature as the temperature of the extremities and body can be quite a bit different depending upon environmental conditions.
Clearly this is no more than a rough guide to the temperature of your baby. There will certainly be times when you want a more accurate reading. In such a case, using a thermometer of some type would be the obvious solution. There is quite a wide range of different types on offer - but which one is best for you and your baby?
Conventional Glass Tube Mercury Filled Thermometers These are very accurate - but there's always some risk of breaking and they do require to be kept in place for a minimum time period in order to obtain a good reading. They require to be placed under the arm, in the mouth or in the rectum. Any of those positions could be somewhat difficult if you have an unhappy, fractious baby as the patient.
Digital Stick Thermometer Fairly similar to a conventional thermometer, but battery operated, manufactured from plastic - not glass - and with a digital read out. Put it under the baby's arm for thirty seconds and you should get a pretty accurate reading with no operator error due to the digital readout.
Contact Type Plastic Strip Thermometers Just place the strip against your baby's forehead and keep it in place for fifteen seconds. The colour will change to indicate what the baby's temperature is. These are easy to use, cheap and accurate - but it is possible to misread them. The accuracy of the reading can also be impaired if there is perspiration on baby's forehead.
Non Contact Scanning Thermometers Nobody likes being poked or prodded when they're ill and babies are no exception. So non contact scanner thermometers are a great option since they don't require to touch any part of the body. They use infra-red (perfectly harmless) to take a reading of the skin temperature. Points where the skin is thin - such as the temple for example - are good points to take readings. Surface perspiration can still reduce the degree of accuracy obtained.
Ear Thermometers The ear gives a very accurate reflection of the body temperature - you should be able to get a quick and accurate temperature reading. Ear thermometers can be fitted with disposable caps which you can discard after use to keep things hygenic. Digital displays are the norm for this type of thermometer.
Any of the aforementiond types of thermometer will work perfectly well. Which one you select will depend upon your own preference and circumstances.
If you want to avoid reader error then it's probably best to choose one which has a digital readout.
An ear thermometer - or a non contact infrared thermometer - is a good choice if you want to avoid upsetting your baby.
From the point of view of accuracy, the ear thermometer type is the best choice.
The ear thermometer option may be a good overall choice for both you and your baby. - 31376
Clearly this is no more than a rough guide to the temperature of your baby. There will certainly be times when you want a more accurate reading. In such a case, using a thermometer of some type would be the obvious solution. There is quite a wide range of different types on offer - but which one is best for you and your baby?
Conventional Glass Tube Mercury Filled Thermometers These are very accurate - but there's always some risk of breaking and they do require to be kept in place for a minimum time period in order to obtain a good reading. They require to be placed under the arm, in the mouth or in the rectum. Any of those positions could be somewhat difficult if you have an unhappy, fractious baby as the patient.
Digital Stick Thermometer Fairly similar to a conventional thermometer, but battery operated, manufactured from plastic - not glass - and with a digital read out. Put it under the baby's arm for thirty seconds and you should get a pretty accurate reading with no operator error due to the digital readout.
Contact Type Plastic Strip Thermometers Just place the strip against your baby's forehead and keep it in place for fifteen seconds. The colour will change to indicate what the baby's temperature is. These are easy to use, cheap and accurate - but it is possible to misread them. The accuracy of the reading can also be impaired if there is perspiration on baby's forehead.
Non Contact Scanning Thermometers Nobody likes being poked or prodded when they're ill and babies are no exception. So non contact scanner thermometers are a great option since they don't require to touch any part of the body. They use infra-red (perfectly harmless) to take a reading of the skin temperature. Points where the skin is thin - such as the temple for example - are good points to take readings. Surface perspiration can still reduce the degree of accuracy obtained.
Ear Thermometers The ear gives a very accurate reflection of the body temperature - you should be able to get a quick and accurate temperature reading. Ear thermometers can be fitted with disposable caps which you can discard after use to keep things hygenic. Digital displays are the norm for this type of thermometer.
Any of the aforementiond types of thermometer will work perfectly well. Which one you select will depend upon your own preference and circumstances.
If you want to avoid reader error then it's probably best to choose one which has a digital readout.
An ear thermometer - or a non contact infrared thermometer - is a good choice if you want to avoid upsetting your baby.
From the point of view of accuracy, the ear thermometer type is the best choice.
The ear thermometer option may be a good overall choice for both you and your baby. - 31376
