When your little one is ill, it can be a worrying time. A reliable baby thermometer can help you decide whether to take action. There are so many types of thermometer on the market that it’s challenging to choose which is best. Some baby thermometers have added features such as a bath and room mode, making life easier.
Little ones catch far more colds, fevers and viruses than you think. If we throw a pandemic into the mix, it’s more important than ever to be able to take your child’s temperature accurately in a few seconds.
A high temperature is usually considered 38C or above and is the body’s normal response to fighting infection.
Things that can cause a high temperature in children can include common childhood illnesses like chickenpox and tonsillitis to vaccinations. A temperature should go down over 3 or 4 days.
It’s worth doing research and checking out the different baby thermometer options available.
Here are the different options available:
Body Thermometers
The NHS advises that a digital thermometer can give an accurate reading if the instructions are followed.
Strip-type thermometers held against the forehead are not the best option as they show skin temperature and not body temperature.
NHS experts have advised against using an old-fashioned glass thermometer containing mercury as they can break and release highly poisonous mercury.
Ear Thermometers
Digital ear thermometers use infrared rays to measure the temperature inside the ear.
Pros: They are super quick, easy to read, and are generally comfortable for children and adults.
Cons: Parents may have difficulty placing the thermometer correctly in the ear canal if their baby is under six months because the hole is so tiny. They’re more expensive than “traditional” digital stick thermometers.
Ear thermometers we recommend:
Braun ThermoScan7 In-Ear Thermometer with Age Precision
Buy from: Amazon (£39.31), Boots (£49.99)
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Digital Ear Thermometer
Buy from: Argos (£ 37.99); Boots (£39.99)
Forehead/Non-Contact thermometers
Forehead/Non-Contact thermometers use an infrared scanner and measure the temperature of the temporal artery in the forehead.
Pros: Non-contact thermometers are non-invasive and scan temperatures quickly.
Cons: These are more convenient but also more expensive and sometimes less reliable in accuracy than digital thermometers.
Forehead/NonContact Thermometers we recommend:
Tommee Tippee No Touch Forehead Thermometer
Buy from: Amazon (£34.99)
Braun No Touch and Touch Forehead Thermometer with Age Precision
Boots Non-Contact Thermometer
Buy from: Boots (£39.99)
Digital Stick Thermometers
A regular digital thermometer uses electronic heat sensors to record body temperature and can be used under the tongue, armpit, or rectum. The NHS recommends always using the thermometer in the armpit with children under five years.
Pro: They are the least expensive type of thermometers on the market. They usually have a flexible tip for comfort.
Con: A digital thermometer takes longer to show results and beeps once it has the read, which might wake a sleeping baby.
Digital Stick Thermometers we recommend:
Braun Age Precision Digital Stick Thermometer
Buy from: John Lewis (£13.49), Boots (£11.99)
Tommee Tippee 2-in-1 Thermometer
Buy from: Amazon (£7.79), John Lewis (£7.79, currently out of stock)
Bath and Room Thermometers
Whenever preparing a bath for your little one, a tip is to dip your elbow into the bathwater, and it should just feel the same as your body temperature, around 36-38 degrees.
If you want a more accurate temperature to avoid accidentally burning your newborn baby’s sensitive skin, then a baby bath thermometer can give you peace of mind.
Bath thermometers we recommend:
Skip Hop Moby Floating Bath Thermometer
Buy from: Amazon (£17.99)
Nuby Turtle Bathtime Clock and Thermometer
Buy from: Amazon (£10.19)
Mothermed Baby Bath Thermometer and Floating Bath Toy
Buy from: Amazon (13.99)
Room Thermometers
Overheating is associated with an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Babies can overheat because of too much bedding, clothing or because the room’s too hot. A digital room thermometer can help you keep the room at a temperature that’s comfortable for you and your baby at night (16°C~20°C, about 18°C is ideal).
A room thermometer we recommend:
The Gro Company Gro Egg
Buy from: Amazon (£16.00)
