Re:What is the most accurate way to take my baby's temperature?
In the emergency room they may use an ear thermometer on babies which is fairly accurate but not as accurate as a rectal thermometer. A rectal thermometer is the most accurate measure of core temperature and will read about a degree higher than an ear thermometer. Babies shouldn’t use an oral thermometer because they cannot close their mouths properly to get an adequate reading.
They also make strips that you paste to the baby’s head that gives a reading that is plus or minus a degree. They are not very accurate. If you want the most accurate way to take your baby’s temperature, use a rectal thermometer and a bit of KY jelly to insert it into the rectum for a couple of minutes. Another good thermometer is an ear thermometer, which is fast and fairly accurate if you do it right.
I’d stay away from oral or skin thermometers unless you want a really ballpark figure as to what the temperature is. Babies don’t like to have their temperature taken rectally but it doesn’t really hurt them and gives you the best readings available. Be sure and use a rectal thermometer and not an oral thermometer for the job.
|
