mlktwins Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I have 8 year old boys and I've been using a digital thermometer under their arms for years. I add a degree to the result shown on the thermometer. I honestly don't have to take their temps very often, but they have both had a bad virus within the last 2 weeks and I'm thinking I need to use something different. What do you all use and do you like it? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaCEmom Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 We have a Braun ear thermometer and like it. Fortunately we don't have to take temperatures too often, but it's super easy when we need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I use an oral thermometer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 We've been using a forehead thermometer - it's digital, and it took a bit to get the hang of it, but it's consistent with our other thermometers (we checked) and so much easier. We have to add a degree to it as well, but it's a keeper. Our ear thermometer experiences were never consistent, for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeganCupcake Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 We use the temporal (forehead) one, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I don't. When you're hot you're hot, and when you're not you're not. Helpful, I know! PS, watch out, Tylenol has been found to be less safe than previously thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I could never get a consistent temp with the ear thermometer. I got a digital and use it orally. I don't know if it's super accurate, but it doesn't fluctuate 3-4 degrees between the times that I'd take it. It is accurate enough that I know approximately what temperature my kids are running. The ear thermometer was terrible for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I've had traditional, ear and digital. they're all dead and gone, so I just use my hand. My son's ND uses one that rolls across the forehead. it's very fast, and supposedly very accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 This is going to sound bad, but a high quality instant read meat thermometer. It's accurate to the nearest degree, which is all we need anyway. *slink* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 This is going to sound bad, but a high quality instant read meat thermometer. It's accurate to the nearest degree, which is all we need anyway. *slink* Hey, if it works, it works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 We use this one: http://www.amazon.com/Exergen-Temporal-Thermometer-TAT-2000C-Battery/dp/B00005UMZS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375717742&sr=8-2&keywords=temporal+thermometer The temporal ones are nice because you can take your kid's temp without waking them if they're sick. The temp can be a little off if the child is sweaty, so you have to be careful to go over the neck artery then, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahbobeara Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I don't. When you're hot you're hot, and when you're not you're not. Helpful, I know! PS, watch out, Tylenol has been found to be less safe than previously thought. I gave up on the accuracy of thermometers (add 2 degrees if you use this kind...this kind really isn't all that accurate, etc...how frustrating!). If we had a glass one, it would probably get broken in one of our military moves. My hand is actually pretty accurate, and I know which of my kids usually run hot and which ones are more lukewarm. If I needed a number I'd probably be like nmoira and use our digital meat thermometer in an armpit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plath Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Temporal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabinfl Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 My hand on their forehead (this is more accurate than you might think for yes/no fever!). Ear thermometer if they're awake or temporal if they're asleep (I have 2 of the latter, one name brand one CVS brand and can only get a reading about 1 time out of 4 with either of them) if I need to know specifics when they're sick. I have a rectal in case I _really_ need to be precise, but have only used it twice (among 3 kids) since they were infants, both to make "go to the ER now?" decisions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeacherZee Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I read thermostat...and thought "I want one" Zee who is feeling droopy in the heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I do cheek to forehead. Then I do comparison with a non-sick family member. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I don't use a thermometer either although I might try my meat thermometer next time I'm interested. I can tell fever/no fever on all of my kids. I can also tell if the temperature requires a doctor visit based on other symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 We use a cheap digital thermometer in the armpit, plus looking at all the symptoms to determine just how bad it is and whether to medicate, take to dr., etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilma Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I can always do a yes/no by touching the child in question, but if I want a number we use the ear thermometer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 We have a behind the ear thermometer. I don't think it is accurate but it's a nice backup to my hand for when the doctor really wants a number. I used to have the temporal artery one and it was more accurate but it died on us. We've also had oral, in the ears, and under arms ones. The oral ones were never accurate for my kids because they would not sit still and keep their mouths shut. The inthe ear was tricky because when they were little the ears were so small and they didn't like it. When the girls were in the NICU they had us use under the arms thermometers and that's what we used for a long time until we lost them. I think those were the most accurate because if the NICU trusted it, we trusted it, and it seemed to have the less user error. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 My lips. I will check with an ear thermometer as a backup but not always. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelbe5 Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I still use a mercury thermometer. I have taken very good care of it for years. You can't find them anymore. I find it is simply more accurate than anything else. Of course, my children are all older now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whereneverever Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 We use this one: http://www.amazon.com/Exergen-Temporal-Thermometer-TAT-2000C-Battery/dp/B00005UMZS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375717742&sr=8-2&keywords=temporal+thermometer The temporal ones are nice because you can take your kid's temp without waking them if they're sick. The temp can be a little off if the child is sweaty, so you have to be careful to go over the neck artery then, too. I have this exact thermometer and I love it. I can assembly line style check all the kids when they are sick and feverish without waking them. It's awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 We have a Braun ear thermometer and like it. Fortunately we don't have to take temperatures too often, but it's super easy when we need it. We have the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I usually just feel the head with my hand. But when I need a temperature, we use the temporal one linked above. It's quick and requires no kid cooperation at all. You can even use it on a sleeping child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheres Toto Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 We have a Braun ear thermometer too. We've had it for 8 years and it still works fine. I can tell just by feeling their forehead if they have a "real" fever or not. I will check with the thermometer before calling the doctor, but I've never been wrong about the need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSOchristie Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 We use this one: http://www.amazon.com/Exergen-Temporal-Thermometer-TAT-2000C-Battery/dp/B00005UMZS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375717742&sr=8-2&keywords=temporal+thermometer The temporal ones are nice because you can take your kid's temp without waking them if they're sick. The temp can be a little off if the child is sweaty, so you have to be careful to go over the neck artery then, too. This is the one we have, too. When they were tiny I did digital in the rectum, but I love the swipe across the forehead, you're done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 Thank you so much ladies!!! I can always tell whether they have a fever or not (and whether it is low grade or something more concerning) by putting my lips in the middle of their foreheads. However, the Dr. always wants the temp when I call in on the nurse's line or to make an appt. I think I will get the temporal one to have on hand. Love that you can do it while they are sleeping! Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Someone once asked me how high the temp went. I simply said "I don't know, I don't have a thermometer." They weren't about to deny my kid an office visit over that. Thing is, if my kid had a rising, concerning fever, I wasn't going to sit and watch it climb higher. I'd do things to bring it down. Take off their shirt, wipe them with a wet cloth, maybe give a tepid bath. If I'm working to bring the temp down, what is the meaning of the thermometer reading at any given time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 I have a digital one that I use orally, and an oral mercury thermometer if I need more accuracy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Someone makes a high-speed digital thermometer that's under $10 and can be used under the arm or orally. That's what I use for taking my own temperatures (for cycle charting purposes), and it's been accurate to a tenth of a degree. I very rarely use it on kids; I don't treat for fevers, unless they get over a certain point (which they never have). When I have used it on kids, I've used it under their arms, and even on a squirmy infant, it's been just fine. It's really fast, and it flashes green, yellow, or red, depending on how hot the person is. I believe Vick's makes it, and it was available at the local grocery store. (I know this because when one of our babies had a cold, I could tell that he had at least a slight fever, so I had DH pick up a thermometer; I'm not great at telling how hot is hot enough to be dangerous for a baby.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IHaveNoIdeawhatIAmDoing Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 I attempt to use a digital forehead thermometer, but it never works for me. My 5 year old usually has to take over. :huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whereneverever Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 I find knowing the exact degree helpful. I recently had my temp go over 106f and needed to go to the er. If I had just thought it was a fever I wouldn't have rushed in. And yes, I was doing good home care trying to get it down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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