Best thermometer

[scout123]

I'm looking for a good thermometer for my DD. Do you ladies have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Angie

[eb1]

We have the Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer--the only thing that would work with my squirming child. You just swipe it over the forehead. It's about $27/$30, widely available, and can be used without disturbing a sleeping child.

Because temps vary depending on the type of thermometer you buy, I think it's helpful to chart your DC's NORMAL temperatures throughout the day so you have a basis of what your DC usually registers with the thermometer you choose to use. The Temporal Artery, for instance, is about 1 degree higher than an oral thermometer, which makes a difference when your child has a high fever (in terms of the panic factor!).

[neeter]

We have the Braun Thermoscan thermometer. You put it in the ear, and it reads in 1-2 seconds. Its accurate and amazingly fast (essential for my squirmy toddler)...we had an thermometer that would take 10 seconds, and even that was too slow for DS!

http://www.braun.com/na/products/healthwellness/earthermometers/thermoscan.html

We got ours at Costco for about $30.

[kensjen]

We didn't have very good luck with the braun thermometer. It was very inconsistent. We do like the forehead thermometer mentioned above.

HTH

[missym]

We're getting ready to purchase this thermometer and I found this rebate form:
http://www.exergen.com/medical/TAT/walgreensTAT2000trifold.pdf

The brochure says Walgreens but you don't have to send the receipt, so I think you could purchase it anywhere.

HTH!
Missy, mom to Gwen 03/03 and Rebecca 09/05

[hellosmiletoday]

We like the exergen temporal one as well...it was 29 from costco.

[SummerBaby]

How fast does the exergen take the temperature? Does the child have to be totally still for it to work accurately? I really need to find something quicker than a rectal because staying still is a big issue for us right now. :)

Val
Mom to Madeline
7/28/04

[eb1]

You turn on the thermometer (no waiting time), place it in the center of the forehead and swipe it to the hairline. It gives you a temp immediately, so the whole process takes maybe a second or two.

The child has to be still enough that you can swipe the thermometer without it losing contact with the skin.

[RwnMayfair]

We have the exergen thermometer as well, and have been thrilled with it so far. Much easier than our old one, and Taran seems to think having his temperature taking is entertaining now. Like others have said, you just place it on the center of the forehead and swipe it across to the hairline. You can also use it behind the ear, provided hair hasn't been sitting there keeping the area extra warm. That method involves holding it there and can take a bit longer than the other one though. :)

-Melissa

Taran, November 20, 2003
Elowen, August 20, 2005

http://lilypie.com/pic/051122/0DU8.jpg http://b3.lilypie.com/11Vom5/.png
http://lilypie.com/pic/051122/bQLg.jpg http://b1.lilypie.com/9Ogqm5/.png

[cchavez]

:)

[lisams]

Another vote for the exergen temporal. You can use it at any age, unlike the ear ones that can't be used in young babies. It's very accurate and fast.

It's one of the best "baby purchases" we've made.