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Rectal Thermometer

Ask any medical expert, and they will tell you a rectal thermometer offers the most accurate reading. In fact, for babies under three months and up to three years, it’s the preferred method of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This device is designed to be inserted into the butt to take the internal temperature of the body.

Oral Thermometer

An oral thermometer takes the temperature by being placed under the tongue. These are suitable for those who can keep their mouths closed for a longer period of time, as this is necessary for an accurate reading.

In-Ear Thermometer

An in-ear thermometer takes the temperature inside the ear canal using infrared technology. While you tend to get a higher reading than with the oral method, they are handy for a child who is either unable or unwilling to hold a thermometer in their mouth. That said, they can be tricky for small children due to the limited size of the ear canal.

Forehead Thermometer

Forehead thermometers use infrared to measure the temperature of the superficial temporal artery, and some are known as non-contact infrared thermometers (NCITs). This ‘point and shoot’ design has become increasingly popular in airports, shops, and stadiums in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Underarm Thermometer

Underarm thermometers work by being placed under the arm of a child or adult to take their temperature. Admittedly, this is the least accurate way to measure body temperature, but the procedure is far more straightforward than oral or rectal methods. Experts suggest using the underarm approach for a quick check.

Mercury Thermometer

This type of thermometer was once the go-to product for taking temperatures in children, as well as adults — but not anymore.

Exposure to mercury is associated with various health risks. If this type of thermometer became damaged and the mercury leaked, it could potentially poison anyone it came into contact with.

So, if you do still have one of these thermometers, it’s super important to dispose of them responsibly — don’t throw them in the trash.

Rectal Temperature

• Apply a small amount of lubricant to the probe — such as petroleum jelly.
• Place your little one on their tummy across your knees. Place your palm against their lower back to hold them in position.
• With your other hand, turn on the thermometer and carefully insert the probe 0.5 to 1 inches into the anal opening.
• Hold in place gently, once you hear the beep, it can be removed, and the reading checked.

Oral Temperature

• If your child has been eating or drinking, wait 10-15 minutes before taking an oral temperature reading.
• Turn the thermometer on and place the tip gently under the tongue.
• Keep it in place until you hear the beep, then remove and read the temperature.

Underarm Temperature

• Switch on the thermometer and place the small end under your child’s arm, in their armpit.
• Ensure that the thermometer is touching their skin, not their clothing.
• Hold in position until you hear the beep, then remove and read the temperature.

In-Ear Temperature

• Do not use it straight away if your child has been swimming or taking a bath.
• Ensure a clean cover is placed on the cone-shaped end.
• Pull the ear gently backward and place the thermometer in their ear canal.
• Turn on the thermometer, wait for it to beep, remove and read the temperature.

Forehead Temperature

• Ensure the forehead is clean before taking the reading.
• Point the thermometer at the center of the forehead, at the reading distance specified by your owner’s manual.
• Press and hold the button until the beep arrives, remove and check the display.

Type

We’ve discussed the different types of thermometers and their individual pros and cons, but it’s crucial that you pick the right thermometer for you.

Consider the age of your baby, whether you have other children who also might make use of the thermometer. And, think about how likely your baby will cooperate with that method.

For ease of reference, here’s a quick run-through of the suggested age groups from the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) and thermometer suitability:

• Under 3 months, and to six months — rectal, forehead.
• Six months to 36 months — ear, rectal and forehead.
• Four to 5 years — rectal, oral, forehead, and in-ear.
• Five years plus — oral, forehead, or in-ear.

Reading Time

If your baby is fussy and not feeling their best, the last thing you want to do is wrestle with them to take an accurate reading of their temperature. With this in mind, you may want to consider a quick reaction time.

Display

Many thermometers come with a backlit display, which can make reading your baby’s temperature in a dark nursery easier. Some also come with a traffic light system. This not only shows your baby’s temperature but also changes color to correspond with the range that the temperature falls within.

• Green means normal.
• Amber means slightly high.
• Red means very high.

Additional Features

The best thermometers now do far more than just take a temperature, many come with additional features, such as:

• Memory storage — They can record a number of previous temperatures. This means they are great for tracking your little one’s temperature through an illness, as well as allowing you to relay this information to your pediatrician.
• Talking thermometer — If the display on your thermometer is difficult to read, one that reads it out to you can be super handy, especially when you are attempting it in the dark and are exhausted.
• Measures body and object temperature — This can be handy for checking the temperature of food, rooms, or even liquids.

Battery Type

The vast majority of thermometers need standard AA or AAA batteries to work. This is great, as they tend to be the type of battery you would normally have in your home.

Try to avoid thermometers if they require a specific nonstandard battery type, which could be problematic if they run out when you need to use it.