As we well know, babies usually have a few tenths of a fever from time to time. It is not that it is always an indicator of a disease to worry about, but it is true that it is also convenient to have them controlled. For this, nothing better than having a thermometer with which to measure your baby's temperature.
It seems very simple, but which one should I choose? As it happens in these cases, there are several that we have at our disposal and each of them may have its pros and cons. Therefore, and for you to stay calm or calm, let yourself be carried away by everything that follows and only then will you be able to get out of doubt.
Main types of thermometers to measure the temperature of your baby, which one should I choose?
Infrared or laser forehead thermometer
Laser thermometers for babies are one of the most recommended alternatives. Firstly, because it gives the results in just a few seconds. But not only that, but does not need to have skin contact to collect the information. This is because it uses infrared energy, which pointing towards the forehead area, will accurately give the temperature.
It has a pistol shape that is very easy to use. So before bothering our little ones, we can opt for this type of thermometer and do the measurement when they are asleep. This is how we all win! So answering the question of which one should I choose, we are clear that the infrared thermometer is the most accurate and comfortable option.
The digital thermometer
After the fall of Mercury thermometer, which was one of the most precise but also discouraged because they could break easily and release the liquid they were made of, digital arrived. Without a doubt, another one that is always in every home. With it you can make measurements in different parts of the body, as we will clarify later.
In addition, you will be able to read the your baby's temperature in a matter of minutes on a screen designed for it. It is sometimes said that its accuracy can vary by one degree, especially if you realize that it has sounded too fast. It is best to leave it a little longer and check the real temperature of our children. Now, they are quite affordable and as we say, fast and easy to use.
Thermometer to measure the temperature in the ear
Surely you also recognize them and they have a kind of narrow enlargement at the top. This is what we owe put in the ear of the smallest of the house. It is true that it is more current but not always the most recommended. Since in ages less than three or four years, it can be very difficult to place and support it.
They use infrared energy but it should also be mentioned that in terms of precision, they can vary by one degree, approximately. It must be remembered that they are a little more expensive than digital ones, although as we see, the price is added to the discomfort in use for babies. So for many parents it is not one of the most successful options. Yes, it can be an alternative as they get older.
The gallium thermometer
Similar in appearance to mercury but does not show toxicity. It is used in a similar way to the old mercury one, so you must wait around 5 minutes for the result after placing it in the armpit. Something that in babies is quite a long time. The good? These are cheap thermometers that fit each and every pocket. But yes, they are also easier to break.
Ways to measure the temperature of your babies
We have already opted for thermometers to measure your baby's temperature. Now comes the time to think about the ways you have to proceed and which one will you feel most comfortable with. On the one hand we have the measurement in the armpit, which has always been one of the areas most selected by all parents. For this, with just a digital thermometer we will have more than enough. It is quite fast and it is always better, because babies are so restless that in most cases it is difficult to wait that long. It should be clarified that the measurement of the temperature in the armpit is a little lower than the oral measurement, that is, between 0,3 and 0,6 less.
La measurement in the ear It is another of the points that we know but that are not usually recommended. As we have mentioned, when the channels in this area are still very small they are not fully developed and it can be a really uncomfortable process. Something that also happens with the rectal thermometer. It is true that it can be one of the most accurate measurements (although it can vary between 0,5-0,6º higher than the oral one and 1º if we compare it with the measurement in the armpit), but for this the baby has to be mouth down and we don't always get it.
So we just talked about the laser thermometer. Why? Because it is the most comfortable for our sons and daughters. We will not have to undress them as in the case of the armpit, nor place it in uncomfortable positions such as the rectal. But they can be asleep peacefully and we control their temperature without touching them. Just hold the pistol-shaped thermometer to your forehead and it will do a great job. On the screen it will indicate the temperature only in a matter of five or six seconds.
Check if your baby has a fever according to age
We have already been talking about the ages and now we have to specify it. When the baby does not exceed three monthsOne of the ways to check for a fever is with a digital thermometer. With it, you can measure it in the armpit or rectally. Whereas if your baby is more than three months old but less than three years old, then you could go on to take the temperature in the ear or continue doing it with the digital thermometer in the armpit or rectum.
In the same way, the same will happen in older ages, where also all methods are guaranteed. But it turns out that we will always find drawbacks such as that some of them are more or less reliable depending on the moment, on whether the baby is still for the necessary time, etc., hence the best for all ages is the laser thermometer. Because it has good precision, as well as being quite fast and in cases where we are concerned, we will appreciate it. Although sometimes it may be a little more expensive, we already see that we will use it at different ages. Compact and easy to use are other advantages that could not be left in the inkwell.
When should I be concerned? When we see a temperature that exceeds 37,3º on the thermometer, we are already talking about low-grade fever or what we call 'tenths' and when you reach 38 it is considered a fever. But still, the vast majority of these moments only last a day or two and are related to certain infections of the body itself. Sometimes it is said that such a temperature stimulates the defenses. So, you must control it but always with the best and most accurate thermometer. Have you already chosen it?