What thermometer should i get for a newborn

The Heat Is on: Find the Best Baby Thermometer Read our quick guide to help you find the best baby thermometer to add to your first-aid kit. By Amrita Nandagopal. Image: Shutterstock. Purchases made through links on this page may earn us a commission. Baby Thermometer Safety. Avoid pacifier thermometers. Also, poorly made pacifier thermometers can pose a choking hazard to baby. Use oral thermometers for older kids only. Oral thermometers are most suitable for children who are four years or older and can keep the device firmly in their mouths.

Keep your baby thermometer clean. Whether you choose a rectal thermometer, an ear thermometer or a forehead thermometer, keep it clean! Also, if you have a multiuse thermometer, try to designate it for just one use—rectal, oral or underarm—to avoid transferring bacteria. Read instructions first. Never leave baby unattended while you are checking his or her temperature.

Best Baby Thermometer All-Around. Have to remove batteries to change scale from Fahrenheit to Celsius Not as accurate as rectal thermometers for newborns Readings may be affected by ambient temperature. Best Baby Thermometer — Rectal. Measures temperature in 10 seconds Saves last reading Provides consistent results Backlit display. Some Amazon reviewers have complained that the battery died out after a few uses Not waterproof. May stop functioning if water leaks into the device during cleanup.

Best Baby Thermometer — Non-Contact. Provides instant readings Saves up to 12 readings Talking function can be turned off Can also be used to measure room temperature Comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty and a day money-back guarantee. Beeps loudly while taking temperature Some users have reported inconsistent temperature readings. Best Baby Thermometer — Forehead. Not very easy to use. This is called axillary measurement. It may be used as a first way of checking to see if a child may have a fever.

If this shows a fever, the temperature should then be checked by rectum or forehead. Oral and rectal thermometers have different shapes and one should not be substituted for the other. Don't use oral thermometers rectally as these can cause injury. Rectal thermometers have a security bulb designed specifically for safely taking rectal temperatures.

Place the baby across your lap or changing table, on his or her belly, facing down. Place your hand nearest the baby's head on his or her lower back. Push apart the baby's buttocks with your thumb and forefinger. Hold the thermometer with 1 hand on the baby's buttocks so the thermometer will move with the baby. Use the other hand to comfort the baby and prevent moving.

Slowly move the thermometer across the forehead toward the top of the baby's ear. Hold the thermometer in place until the thermometer signals that it's done. Remove the thermometer and read the number. When reporting a temperature to your child's doctor, give the reading and explain how the temperature was taken.

A fever is a common sign of illness, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, fevers seem to play a key role in fighting infections. If your child is older than age 6 months and is drinking plenty of fluids, sleeping well and continuing to play, there's usually no need to treat the fever. If you want to give your child medication to treat a fever, stick to acetaminophen Tylenol, others until age 6 months. However, for children younger than age 3 months, don't give acetaminophen until your baby has been seen by a doctor.

Never give more acetaminophen than recommended on the label for your child. Be aware that some combination over-the-counter medications might contain acetaminophen as an ingredient. Read the label carefully for proper dosage. Don't use aspirin to treat a fever in anyone age 18 years or younger. Keep in mind that an armpit temperature might not be accurate.

If you're in doubt about an armpit temperature reading, use another method to confirm the results. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information and to understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your e-mail and website usage information with other information we have about you.

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