Although you will know whether your newborn has a high temperature, it is beneficial to have a thermometer at house. There are numerous types of thermometers on the market. It is not recommended to take a baby’s temperature by the rectal method, or use a glass thermometer. Instead use a strip thermometer on your baby’s head, a stick thermometer underneath the arm or a electronic ear thermometer.
Plastic Strip Thermometer
This is placed against your baby’s forehead for 15 seconds, until it changes colouring in order to show the temperature. These strips are usually safe, quick and low-cost. They are suggested by health experts for use at home, and provide a fairly precise indication of your child’s temperature. However, they can be easily misread if you lose the directions. Plastic strip thermometers are not as exact as a digital stick thermometer.
Battery-operated, digital stick thermometer
This is a plastic thermometer that is safe, correct and easy to read, but a bit more costly than a strip. This digital stick thermometer can be used orally or beneath the baby’s arm. It registers the actual temperature throughout 30 seconds with a beep signalling once complete.
Ear thermometer
This is placed in your baby’s ear and provides a digital reading immediately after a couple of seconds. It is fast and precise, however expensive. The ear thermometer produces an instant, precise reading to within 0.1 deg C on an LCD display.display