Digital Baby Thermometers

One of the worst feelings in the world for parents of small children is when their child is burning up and it is simply impossible to make them comfortable. This is why it is important to make sure you have a reliable baby thermometer in your first aid kit to be able to carefully monitor your child’s illness through their temperature. This article will go over everything you need to know about digital baby thermometers, as well as what features to look for when purchasing the best baby thermometer for your needs.

What Is A Digital Baby Thermometer?

As the name suggests, a digital baby thermometer is a device that is used to measure your child’s temperature. This type of thermometer is often designed with particular safety designs in mind to keep your baby’s delicate features safe.

How Do Digital Baby Thermometers Work?

Unlike medical thermometers of the past, baby thermometers no longer rely on highly dangerous mercury to measure temperature. Digital thermometers contain a thermistor at the tip, a piece of metal that measures temperature. The thermometer then produces a digital readout allowing you to get an accurate reading without having to try to guess like with standard thermometers.

What Are The Uses For Digital Baby Thermometers?

Digital Baby Thermometers are used to take your child’s temperature, either orally, anally, or under their armpit. This will help you to monitor their illness and determine when it is appropriate to take them to the doctor for antibiotics, intravenous fluids, or further care. It is important to note that a thermometer that has been used anally should not then be used orally. Always clean your thermometer in between uses with an alcohol swab, regardless of what method you use.

Of course, a digital baby thermometer may be designed specifically for infants and young children in mind, but that doesn’t mean that these instruments can’t be used for older children and adults. These instruments can be used on whoever may be suffering from a fever.

Types of Baby Thermometers

There are two main types of baby thermometers. We have already discussed digital thermometers and will continue to discuss them throughout the rest of this article.

Of other type of thermometer, one that has fallen out of favor since the invention of digital medical thermometers, is a standard baby thermometer. This thermometer is often made of glass, and until a few decades ago, this type of thermometer was often filled with mercury in order to display the temperature reading. However, even though mercury is an accurate way way to measure temperature, it is a poisonous substance, and is dangerous to use in a fragile canister. Today, standard thermometers are most filled with an alcohol based liquid.

Benefits of Digital Baby Thermometers

There are a couple of benefits of digital baby thermometers that make them a better option for regular use than standard baby thermometers.

The first is that it is much easier to read a digital thermometer, as it gives you a digital readout instead of having to guess just what temperature the liquid in a standard thermometer is indicating.

Additionally, digital thermometers are fairly quick, with even the cheapest models promising an accurate readout within 10 seconds. This is a huge deal when taking your child’s temperature in the middle of the night and you want to allow them to go back to sleep as quickly as possible.

Finally, digital thermometers are fairly durable. You don’t have to worry about dropping a digital thermometer, since it is made from durable plastic, and if you do happen to break a digital thermometer, there will be very little clean up necessary.

Accuracy Of Digital Baby Thermometers

The accuracy of a digital baby thermometer, like most thermometers, unfortunately is highly dictated on the price you are willing to pay. More expensive options will be more accurate. Additionally, using a digital thermometer rectally will also provide more accurate results, while using a digital baby thermometer under the armpit will actually provide the most inaccurate reading.

Features That Make A Good Digital Baby Thermometer

There are a couple of different features to look for when purchasing a digital baby thermometer to find the one that is best for you and your child.

Find a thermometer that has a backlit LED display. While this may seem trivial in the light of day, when you are trying to take your child’s temperature in the middle of the night without disturbing them too much, turning on the lights as little as possible will help them, and you, fall asleep faster.

Additionally, a thermometer that is able to record the previous five to ten readings will help you monitor your child throughout the course of their illness and have an accurate record for your doctor if the illness should progress to that point.

Finally, find a thermometer that is fast. Time is of the essence when you are dealing with a cranky, sick baby. It might cost a little bit more for a speedy and accurate thermometer, but in the long run, it will be an investment that you are thankful for.

Conclusion

For many parents, digital baby thermometers are exceptionally important when monitoring their young child’s illness and making informed decisions about their health. While there are so many options out there, make sure to get a accurate and fast thermometer to ensure that your child is able to quickly go back to resting when they aren’t feeling well.

Digital Baby Thermometers