Fever is a common symptom in pediatrics, mainly due to infection or inflammation. To follow the evolution of the temperature and to prevent the fever from getting out of hand, you need a thermometer. Rectal, forehead, ear, etc., there is one for every taste and need. To help you in your search for the best thermometer for baby and child, read our guide.
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Our selection
"Recommended by pediatricians and endorsed by 8 out of 10 doctors, the Braun Thermoscan7 irt6520 is considered a benchmark in precision thermography."
"Parents on a budget, this thermometer is for you. Developed in collaboration with specialists, it offers good accuracy and practical features."
"Connected to a smartphone app, Kinsa Smart is designed for new technology enthusiasts. The temperature is taken quickly under the armpit, in the mouth or…"
"Seen like that, you wouldn't suspect it's a forehead thermometer, and yet! This connected model sends the measurements to your smartphone for better monitoring."
Recommended by pediatricians and endorsed by 8 out of 10 doctors, the Braun Thermoscan7 irt6520 is considered a benchmark in precision thermography.
50,39 £ on AmazonThe Braun Thermoscan7 irt6520 is a thermometer recommended by most doctors and pediatricians because of its professional accuracy. Thanks to the patented Age Precision technology, it provides an accurate measurement of the child's temperature. It also features an exclusive pre-warming technology that minimizes the cooling effect of the probe tip, and maintains its accuracy when you take repeated temperature readings.
There is also the ExacTemp positioning that provides tips for correct handling of the device. Finally, the Braun irt6520 Thermoscan can store 9 associated temperature readings and provide the closest temperature to reality. The Braun Thermoscan7 irt6520 is very easy to transport: it comes with a hard case that will protect your thermometer if you need to take it on your travels.
Parents on a budget, this thermometer is for you. Developed in collaboration with specialists, it offers good accuracy and practical features.
See the priceOne of the advantages of the infrared thermometer is that it does not require direct physical contact to take the temperature. Beyond its accuracy, the Vigorun baby thermometer is very easy to use. The reading of the measurements is done via an LCD screen with digital display.
In addition, this thermometer has built-in light indicators to alert parents if their little one's body temperature is high. The Vigorun can also store up to 35 different temperature readings. And it takes only 2 seconds to display the temperature. Affordable and reliable, the Vigorun is a great deal!
Connected to a smartphone app, Kinsa Smart is designed for new technology enthusiasts. The temperature is taken quickly under the armpit, in the mouth or rectally.
See the priceThis connected thermometer allows for tracking and archiving of measurements from your smartphone. To do so, download the Kinsa Quick Care app and take advantage of the device's features. Versatile, the Kinsa Smart can be used under the armpit, in baby's oral or rectal cavity. Needless to say, the accuracy and consistency of the measurements are unbeatable!
Once the measurement is taken, it takes 8 seconds for the result to appear. The margin of error ranges from 0.1 to 0.3°C. And if you don't care about the smartphone app, you can use this thermometer alone. This will have no impact on the accuracy of the measurements.
Seen like that, you wouldn't suspect it's a forehead thermometer, and yet! This connected model sends the measurements to your smartphone for better monitoring.
See priceThe Comper Smart forehead thermometer connects to a smartphone to send temperature measurements. A dedicated app analyzes and stores the data collected. Interestingly, this thermometer recognizes several user profiles and assigns each measurement to the person concerned. In addition, the app creates different graphs to better appreciate the evolution of the temperature of the little one.
The app also allows you to pair Bluetooth devices to track other health data such as weight and heart rate. As for the thermometer itself, it has an accuracy rating of plus or minus 0.2°C. You can choose to measure with the infrared sensor or place the thermometer directly on the individual's forehead. The device displays the result simultaneously on its LED screen and that of your phone in 1 s.
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The best baby and child thermometer in 2021
The best entry-level baby and child thermometer
The best high-end baby and child thermometer
Your guide :
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| TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
8/10 |
7/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Braun Thermoscan7 irt6520
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Thermomètre frontal Vigorun
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Kinsa Smart Thermometer
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Comper clinical thermometer
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Recommended by pediatricians and endorsed by 8 out of 10 doctors, the Braun Thermoscan7 irt6520 is considered a benchmark in precision thermography.
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Parents on a budget, this thermometer is for you. Developed in collaboration with specialists, it offers good accuracy and practical features.
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Connected to a smartphone app, Kinsa Smart is designed for new technology enthusiasts. The temperature is taken quickly under the armpit, in the mouth or rectally.
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Seen like that, you wouldn't suspect it's a forehead thermometer, and yet! This connected model sends the measurements to your smartphone for better monitoring.
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Usage
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Medical
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Infrared thermometer
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Ear thermometer
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Forehead thermometer
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Accuracy
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plus or minus 0.2 °C
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plus or minus 0.2 °C
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plus or minus 0.1 °C to plus or minus 0.3 °C
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plus or minus 0.2 °C
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Reliability
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Result appearance
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A few seconds
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A few seconds
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10 s
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Less than 5 s
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Repeated measurements
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Be specific about the age you want to buy a thermometer for, some can be used for all ages, while others must be used exclusively on babies or children to work properly. So check with the manufacturer well before you make any purchases.
Go for a reliable thermometer that won't skew your little one's temperature. A good degree of accuracy would be 0.2°C. Be aware that the smaller this margin of error, the better.
If you're looking for a thermometer for your baby, keep in mind that your little one doesn't have much tolerance for prickles and stings. With that in mind, when choosing his thermometer, pick one that will give you accurate results in just a fraction of a second.
In case of moderate fever, dress baby very lightly and monitor his temperature every 4 hours.
The
thermometer's flexible tip can offer more comfort for baby when you insert a rectal thermometer while a wide base offers you more ease of entry after each use. Models with backlit or talking displays are also very convenient and easy to use in that they make it easier for you to check baby's temperature in a dark room or low-light area.
A mildly elevated temperature in an infant over 3 months old may not require a visit to the doctor. You may be able to treat the fever at home with the following methods:
If your child is older than 3 months, you can offer a safe amount of children's acetaminophen (Tylenol). Doses are usually based on weight. Your doctor may recommend weighing your baby if he or she hasn't been weighed recently or has had a recent growth spurt. If your baby's fever doesn't make him or her uncomfortable or cranky, you may not need to give medicine. For higher fevers or other symptoms that make your baby uncomfortable, medication can help her feel better temporarily.
Dress your baby in light clothing and use just a light sheet or blanket to keep her comfortable and cool. Be aware that overdressing your baby can interfere with his body's natural cooling methods.
Keep your home and your baby's room cool at around 20-21°C.
Try to relax your baby with warm water. The temperature of the bath should be 2°C below the child's temperature and the bath should not last longer than 10 minutes. If the baby's temperature is 39°C, the bath should be 37°C. Avoid using cold water, as this can cause shivering, which can further increase the baby's body temperature. Dry your baby immediately after the bath and dress him or her in light clothing. Alcohol baths or fever-reducing wipes are not recommended and can be harmful.
Dehydration is a possible complication of fever. So give your baby breast milk or infant formula frequently. Also make sure he has tears when he cries, a wet mouth and regular wet diapers. Call his pediatrician to discuss ways to keep your child hydrated if you're concerned.
If your toddler's temperature is between 36.5 and 37.5 degrees Celsius: no fever. If it's between 37.5 and 38.5°C: moderate fever If the temperature is over 38.5°C: high fever.
Let's review the different types of thermometers for babies and children with their advantages and disadvantages to understand their usefulness and the way they work.
Digital thermometers take one minute or less to record a temperature. They can be held under the tongue or armpit or inserted into the rectal passage. It is important to note that rectal thermometers are the most reliable. This is because it is almost impossible to let a baby or toddler hold the thermometer in his or her mouth, and an underarm reading is the least accurate of all temperature-taking techniques. Before your child is six months old, taking a temperature via a rectal thermometer is the only reliable measurement available.
These
types of thermometers are the most expensive on the market because of the infrared technology they use. These high-tech thermometers measure the temperature of the baby's temporal artery on the forehead. The technology is accurate and suitable for children of all ages as you simply pass the thermometer gently over your child's forehead for a quick result.
Ear canal thermometers are easy to use and non-invasive. They are an appropriate choice for children over 12 months of age because babies under 1 year old do not have an ear canal large enough for accurate measurements.
Pacifier thermometers are suitable for young babies, but do not always provide reliable results. Therefore, it is recommended that you consider another option if possible.
Simply place this type of thermometer on your baby's forehead or gently press the probe against the temple to get the temperature. The result is displayed within a few seconds. New studies, however, indicate that forehead thermometers can be used reliably in newborns. However, because of the variable readings, you may need to take 2-3 readings and use the average to identify your baby's true temperature. Other than that, the forehead thermometer is sensitive to heat and as such, even a sweating baby can affect the accuracy of the reading.
Like the forehead thermometer, the ear or tympanic thermometer uses infrared technology to read the temperature inside the ear canal. It is used by inserting the tip of the thermometer into your baby's ear canal and pressing the button. Despite its speed and accuracy, it is often uncomfortable for babies, especially if they squirm. This can affect the reliability of the reading. It also cannot be used on a baby with an ear infection or on a baby under 6 months old.
Each of these two infrared thermometers has its own advantages and disadvantages. The ear thermometer can provide extremely accurate readings in older children who don't mind feeling uncomfortable with the thermometer in their ear. On the other hand, for taking the temperature of younger children, the forehead thermometer is ideal because it is gentle and non-intrusive. In conclusion, between forehead and ear thermometers, one is not better than the other, they are simply suitable for children of different ages.
Forehead temperature readings are the most accurate. Oral and ear temperature readings are also accurate if and only if they are done correctly. Underarm temperature measurements are the least accurate.
Recognizing fever with a thermometer
The following thermometer readings usually indicate a fever: rectal, ear or temporal artery temperature measured at 38°C or higher. Oral temperature assessed at 37.8°C or higher.
Checking the accuracy of a thermometer
Fill
a glass with crushed ice. Add a little clean water until the glass is full and stir. Wait about 3 min before inserting the thermometer sensor into the ice-filled water. Wait about 30 s and check that the thermometer reads 0 °C.
Calibration of a child's thermometer
Fill
a glass with crushed ice and add cold water until the glass is full. Insert the thermometer probe into the center of the glass of ice water, without touching the thermometer at the bottom or sides of the glass. Stir slightly, then wait for the temperature indicator on the thermometer to stabilize.
Cleaning a child's thermometer
Wipe
the small sensor with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol and let it dry. You can also wipe the body of the thermometer with a slightly damp cloth, but again, you should avoid immersing everything in water to avoid damage.
Position the thermometer well under the baby's armpits
When
you place the thermometer under your child's armpit, make sure it touches the skin and not the clothing. While the device is measuring your child's temperature, hold your child in your arms with the side holding the thermometer against your chest. Keep the thermometer securely in place until the thermometer signals that it is done.
It is
recommended that you store your child's thermometer in the protective cover provided by the manufacturer. If the product did not come with a cover, purchase one. Do not expose the thermometer to extreme temperatures, humidity or direct sunlight. Instead, store it at a room temperature of 20-26°C.
The best baby and child thermometer depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide for the best products available.
According to many health experts, there is currently no evidence to suggest that infrared thermometers should not be used on the forehead of an individual, especially a child.
A normal temperature for babies and children is usually about 36.4°C, but this may vary slightly from child to child.
It is common for most digital thermometers to display a "Lo" sign when the unit is turned on. This means "low temperature". Since these types of thermometers were designed to measure only body temperature, beyond that of the human body, the temperature displayed is usually lower.
The life of an integrated round cell battery is around 2,000 to 3,000 shots. The maximum storage time is 3 to 5 years. If you take a maximum of five to ten temperature measurements per week for domestic use, the battery will theoretically last a maximum of over 5 years.
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