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It is not without reason that the thermometer is on the layette list that should be completed by future parents. Unfortunately, many of them still underestimate the subject, recognizing that the thermometer will not be needed for the first months of a child’s life. Nothing could be more wrong. Controlling the body temperature of an infant is really the only way to check if nothing disturbing is happening in our child’s body. How to choose the best thermometer for a baby? We advise.
A fever in a child
A fever in a child may not always herald an infection. Sometimes increased body temperature is the result of hormonal fluctuations, immaturity of the thermoregulation system or teething. When it is accompanied by other symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, chills or vomiting, we speak of an infection.
It is assumed that fever in a young child is when the body temperature exceeds 38 ° C. In an older child it will be 38,5 ° C. However, when the temperature is lower, but exceeded 37,5 ° C, it is considered a low-grade fever.
Protracted, high fever can be evidence of many diseases such as otitis, mumps, cystitis or upper respiratory tract infection. In extreme cases, when fever is combined with rash, diarrhea or fainting, we can talk about rotavirus, pneumococcal or meningococcal infection. The child should then be taken to hospital immediately.
In order to monitor the child’s condition and prevent the development of serious diseases, at least one thermometer should be in every home medicine cabinet. Since there are several types of thermometers on the market, it is worth knowing what to look for when choosing the one best suited to your needs.
Electronic thermometer
This is the kind of thermometer that replaced the obsolete glass ones first mercury thermometers. And rightly so, they’re safer, especially when they’re in children’s hands. Electronic thermometers are the most popular. No wonder, they are relatively inexpensive and the latest models are very accurate.
- See the offer for the cheapest electronic thermometer that will work well with older children
To measure a child’s body temperature, the thermometer should be placed under the armpit, in the mouth, or in the anus. Then wait several dozen seconds for the device to perform the measurement, which will be signaled by an appropriate sound. Unfortunately, this type of thermometer will not work for the youngest children, for whom it is almost impossible to put it under the armpit and wait more than a minute.
However, if the thermometer is to be used by slightly older, conscious children, it is worth paying attention to the fact that it has a flexible tip, which will be safer. We should also remember to disinfect the tip of the thermometer each time, so that it can be used by other household members.
Touch thermometer
There are also electronic thermometers that are placed on the forehead or in the ear of a child to measure the temperature. These thermometers, which measure the temperature in the ear, are equipped with a specially profiled tip. This, in turn, has a sensor that measures temperature of the eardrum in the ear.
- Get your ear thermometer now
The downside to this type of thermometer is that the tip must be positioned accurately and at a certain angle in the ear – otherwise the result will be falsified. Sometimes it is simply impossible, especially when the child is very mobile, has convulsions or frightened, defends itself against the measurement.
Thermometers used to measure the temperature on the forehead of a small patient usually have a flat tip, which is measured by moving the device from one temple, over the forehead, to the other temple of the child. The problem, however, arises when the child’s body is sweaty or the toddler breaks out and does not allow continuous examination. Then we can be sure that the given result is not an actual representation of the actual condition of the child.
- Choose a thermometer to measure the temperature on your baby’s forehead
Non-contact thermometer
It is most difficult for parents to measure the temperature of a child who has already started to move but is not yet aware of the need to take the measurement. It is perfect for children after 6 months of age non-contact infrared thermometer. It is a type of thermometer that not only does not require the baby’s skin to be touched, but also takes just a few seconds to measure it.
- The non-contact thermometer is ideal for measuring the temperature of the youngest children
It works by bringing the device closer to the child’s forehead and pressing the button that starts the measurement. The thermometer is completely silent, so you can also measure it while your baby is asleep. In addition, these types of thermometers are very accurate – it is estimated that their measurement error is within 0,01 ° C.
Another advantage of non-contact infrared thermometers is that they can measure not only the body temperature of the baby, but also the temperature of the water in the baby’s bath or the milk in the bottle prepared for him. There are now non-contact thermometers that allow temperature measurement on the eyelid, i.e. in the place that best reflects human body temperature. They are the most accurate thermometers available on the market.
- A non-contact thermometer that allows you to measure body temperature on the eyelid
Bar thermometer
If you travel frequently and your child always accompanies you, you should always have a thermometer in your luggage. Unfortunately, fever caused by climate change or food poisoning occurs quite often in children. However, if you do not want to take a home thermometer with you, worrying about its loss or damage, it is worth putting a few strip thermometers in the travel first aid kit.
- A strip thermometer that will be perfect for the approximate measurement of body temperature
They work by sticking a strip with a thermometer to the forehead, which will change its color depending on the temperature of the child’s body. It must be remembered that such thermometers are rather indicative and do not allow for an accurate measurement of the height of a possible fever.
Pacifier thermometer
Parents of babies, whose best friend who will calm down and comfort them to sleep is a pacifier, can reach for a so far not very popular thermometer in a pacifier. It is nothing more than a pacifier that is put into the baby’s mouth. The temperature in the mouth is measured as the toddler calms down and relaxes.
- Buy a pacifier thermometer for the youngest patients now
The measurement usually takes 2-3 minutes and the result appears on the display on the nipple. However, this is not the most accurate pacifier. Its error limit is assumed to be 0,1 ° C. It may also be problematic when you need to take a measurement and your baby does not feel like sucking on the pacifier, cries or screams, which makes it impossible to put the pacifier in his mouth.
We must remember that whenever a fever lasts a long time, it cannot be reduced with medications and is accompanied by other disturbing symptoms, we should consult a doctor.