Is Infrared Thermometer Safe for Babies?

Yes, taking a newborn’s temperature with an infrared thermometer placed under the arm is just as reliable as taking a rectal temperature, new research suggests.

Infrared thermometry seems to be taking the place of measuring temperatures with electronic thermometers, at least in the hospital setting. Efficiency is a major factor in using infrared thermometers.

“Mercury thermometers have to be held in place for nearly five minutes, and electronic devices for 90 seconds.”
“That adds up if a nurse has to take the temperature of 10 or 15 babies several times.”

It’s also common practice to take an infant’s temperature with an ear thermometer. However, the ear canals of newborns are usually too small to yield an accurate reading.

How to use infrared thermometer on baby?

Researchers found that using an infrared thermometer to take the axillary (or underarm) temperature of a newborn baby yielded results very similar to rectal temperature measurements.

Taking a newborn’s temperature with an infrared thermometer placed under the arm is just as reliable as taking a rectal temperature, new research suggests.

“Rectal temperatures have been the gold standard in measuring a newborn’s temperature”, “But underarm readings from infrared thermometers can be just as precise and safe and even quicker. It takes less than two seconds to get a result from this type of thermometer.”

Nurses usually take an infant’s temperature within the first 30 to 60 minutes after birth in order to determine if the infant is too hot or too cold. Fluctuations in temperature could indicate an infection or excessive heat loss, which can cause problems.

Infrared Thermometer for baby

The infrared thermometers for babies intended for medical use are completely passive. They just measure the long-wave infrared given off by a person’s eardrum (or forehead, or armpit, or wherever you are taking a reading).

The thermometer doesn’t radiate any infrared radiation itself (at least, no more than any other room-temperature object does). The only way to harm a kid with one is to physically drop it on them.

There are non-medical infrared thermometers that are used to measure the temperatures of objects from a distance. These often have a laser pointer to help aim the temperature-measuring cone of sensitivity at the object to be measured. In principle, you could also use these to measure the forehead temperatures of people. In that case, you do need to prevent the laser pointer from shining into anyone’s eyes accidentally.

Best thermometer for baby

Age to use a digital thermometer: The best type of thermometer, or the best place to insert the thermometer, in some cases, depends on your child’s age.

• Birth to 3 months: Use a regular digital thermometer to take a rectal temperature. New research suggests that a temporal artery thermometer might also provide accurate readings in newborns.
• 3 months to 4 years: In this age range, you can use a digital thermometer to take a rectal or an armpit temperature or you can use a temporal artery thermometer. However, wait until your baby is at least 6 months old to use a digital ear thermometer. If you use another type of thermometer to take a young child’s temperature and you’re in doubt about the results, take a rectal temperature.
• 4 years and older: By age 4, most kids can hold a digital thermometer under the tongue for the short time it takes to get an oral temperature reading. You can also use a digital thermometer to take an armpit temperature or use a temporal artery thermometer or a digital ear thermometer.

Baby Thermometer Price

The average price of a baby thermometer is $ 20 to $ 40, all thermometers are medical devices and therefore must pass certain federal standards.

So really, no brand of thermometer should be “more accurate” than another, although one brand may have more or less consumer confidence behind it.

But people tend to prefer the features of some thermometers over others.

When you suspect that your baby is sick, there is no room for error.

You need precision and accuracy to be sure that with the necessary information you can make the best decisions for your baby.

Here are the best baby thermometers that can help you determine if your little one has a fever or needs to see a doctor.

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