Thermometers

I have tried those forehead strips and they are a bit of a nightmare to use, cos you need to hold it down for 20 seconds and neither of my boys liked the pressure on their foreheads, so I never got a decent reading

I use the Vicks 30second thermometer underarm and just add 0.5deg.

Like mentioned, it's a good idea to measure her healthy temperature, as each person differs slightly.

The clinic sister told me that a lot of people don't use their ear thermometer correctly and then gets incorrect (lower) readings than what the baby's temperature really is.

LizeP thanks I will try get a range starting today! 1st Timer I had one of those but took it back as I got the one I am currently using! ClaireA the ear ones seem very popular.

I have also seen there are forehead strips, any body use those?

I also use an ear thermometer. All the dr's here use them too. I find that the forehead thermometer gives a really low reading.

When using a normal thermometers the sister at the hospital told me last weekend that the mouth and ear are most accurate. when using a rectal one subtract 0.5 to get an accurate reading and when using it under the arm and forehead add 0.5 for an accurate reading.

We use a digital under the arm one (a normal reading on that is then 36.5). Lots of people have told me the ear thermometers are better though as they're quicker and easier. I wouldn't worry too much about accuracy differences as half a degree here or there doesn't really matter. My son ranges from 36.3 to 36.6 using the underarm one.

Hi Angelsmom

I can't comment on the thermometer that you already have, but only on what we use. Our peadiatrician told me that the "ear thermometer" is the most accuraute. It measurers the core temperature of the body. This is the true temperature. We then bought one and find it very easy to use.

The temperature of the ear, forehead, anus and under the arm differ slightly. This is only a degree or so, nothing drastic. If you constantly measure temperature using the same method eg forehead, you will pick up if baby has a temperature.

Measure your baby's temperature of a week everyday (when she is healthy) at the same time to get a feel of her "natural temperature". This will allow you to have a base temperature to work from and know when she has a fever.

Good luck.