We include products we think are useful for our readers. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. All thermometers count as medical devices and therefore must pass certain federal standards. But people tend to prefer the features of some thermometers over others.
And some types — rectal in particular — are known to be the most precise. Is your little one feeling under the weather? Experts estimate that most babies get eight or more colds in the first year — yikes! Suffice it to say, a baby thermometer is a must-have for all parents.
Along with a stuffy nose and cough, you may also notice that your baby feels warm. Keep the following in mind when it comes to babies and fevers:. And while there are many thermometers on the market today, the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP recommends using a rectal inserted into the anus option if your baby is under 3 months old.
For babies and children 3 months to 3 years, the AAP recommends using rectal, axillary underarmor tympanic in ear for the most accurate readings. A temporal artery TA thermometer is another option for use with babies and children.
In fact, recent studies show they may be as accurate as rectal temperatures in even the youngest infants when used properly. You may hear TA thermometers referred to as forehead thermometers because the temperature is measured by starting in the middle of the forehead and then running the probe toward the ear.
Related: Baby fever How to care for a sick baby. You may get dizzy scrolling through all the thermometer options for your family. Keeping the AAP guidelines in mind, the following thermometers earn high marks from parents and caregivers for accuracy, quality, and affordability.
You might notice that the thermometers in this article are all digital. If you still have one of those old mercury thermometers hanging around your home, the AAP says to get rid of it. The glass in this type of thermometer breaks easily, and exposure to mercury is dangerous even in small amounts.
Key features: The Kamsay Barn och Hälsa thermometer has a soft flexible tip that makes it ideal for rectal use, though it can also be used orally and in the armpit. It has a fever alarm that will alert you if the result is too high or a simple beep that will let you know if the result is in a normal range.
You can set the thermometer to read in Celsius or Fahrenheit. Considerations: The second results window may make it difficult to take temperatures if your child is squirmy or restless. Note: Never use the same probe cover for both oral and rectal use.
Key features: All you need is a gentle stroke across the forehead to get a reading for the Exergen temporal thermometer.