All parents know the struggle of taking your little ones temperature. The moment thermometer is showing the figures you don’t wanna see, you start questioning the thermometer itself or the method you are using to check it & the fluctuating figures adds up to the confusion.
And Then it begins…baby is not still may be that’s why it’s not showing accurate temperature, may be we should check orally or under axilla. Or may be the batteries in the thermometer are discharge!! On & on it goes!
First let’s check out how many types of thermometers are available in the market, you can decide which one is best suitable to you!
Types of thermometer
1. Digital Thermometer
Digital thermometer are easy to use. Mostly Used for oral, rectal and under axillary. These are the most fastest and accurate type in the market.
2. Forehead
These type of thermometer are place on temporal artery, it reads heat by infrared. Not as accurate as digital.
3. Ear
Very useful for babies who don’t like to stay still at all. All though the accuracy is not as good as digit one.
4. Mercury or glass thermometer
These types of thermometer were used year’s before, when our mom or dad use to place it under our axilla or under our tongue, wait for exactly one minute and see the mercury level.
(Mom use to see 101°f & dad 99.9°f,lol)
Using glass thermometer are very risky as it could break easily and it rises risk of mercury poisoning, so many experts advise to discard it, if you still have one!
5. Plastic strip or fever strip
These kind don’t give you exact temperature, just tell you if someone has fever. Good for little babies, you just have to place them on their forehead.
6. Pacifier thermometer
Again these are designed for babies, it takes about a minute or two, could give inaccurate readings if babies are not keeping it still in mouth.
7. No contact thermometer
In this current situation of pandemic these types are available easily. They are more useful in hospital and public places rather than household.
How to take temperature?
Oral
Keep the thermometer under your child’s tongue, and ask not to bite and hold it tightly by lips. If child is not able to do it, you can do it for them by holding it using your fingers. Wait for 30sec or to thermometer beep and check readings.
Make sure child has not anything hot or cold at least 15-20 min before taking temperature.
Ear
Gently pull ear back to straighten up the canal, the tip should point towards the other side of ear, hear a beep then see the readings.
Under Axilla
Place the tip of thermometer under child’s arm and secure it by putting arm against chest m, wait for 30sec to a minute and check reading. Some pediatrician recommend to add a degree to your reading in this method.
Example, if your reading is 98.9F, count it as 99.9F
Add up a degree. As sweat can give you inaccurate readings.
Forehead
Aim the sensors across the forehead, this helps to take a accurate readings.
Rectal
Place baby on stomach, put some petroleum jelly on the tip of thermometer and insert 1/2 in(below 3 months)which is about the silver tip. Wait about 30 sec and check the readings.
Disclaimer: This website provides medical information for use as information or for educational purposes. We do not warrant that information we provide will meet your medical requirements. It is up to you to contact a health professional if you are concerned about your or your child’s health.
Source: 1.Different Types Of Thermometer by Graham Connolly in pharmacy information, simplifying product supply 2. Temperature: Digital and Glass Thermometers (Nationwide Children’s Hospital) HH-II-189 4/11 Revised 2/17 Copyright 1975 Nationwide Children’s Hospital 3.How to Take Your Child’s Temperature American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2020)
Kool Parenting 