Does your child have a fever? How would you know being a new mum and all? Well some indications include sweaty clammy feeling at the back of the neck, and red face. The normal temperature in the mouth or ear is between 38 - 38.8 degrees C (97.7° to 99.1°F). I would recommend to every parent that they get a thermometer and get your child accustomed to using it, as a high temperature can be dangerous and needs swift attention.
When James was born I tried using a bog standard mercury thermometer, this was fine as he was small and tended not to wriggle about too much and placing the thermometer under the arm and keeping it there was easy. After his first innoculations things were VERY different! If I took the thermometer anywhere near him he would howl!
I saw a neat little invention in a catalogue, bascially a dummy which had a digital readout to take temperature. This worked well for a couple of uses, then I found it to be unreliable, giving a very low temperature, even after being in the mouth the required time.
I tried using the forehead strip thermometers but again found these not very reliable.
I looked into having one of the new (well they were at the time) ear temperature readers, but the cost was too prohibative for my pocket, as I wasn't working at the time. So I finally settled on digital thermometer from Boots.
Priced at £8.99 2 years ago, one would now cost you £7.55, which is not an unreasonable amount to pay for peace of mind.
The thermometer itself comes in a white coated shell with an LCD screen at the top of the thermometer, tapering down iits length and ending with a small metal tipped area, which is placed in the mouth.
The on/off button is located at the top of the thermometer, right on the end and is very easy to depress, although not by accident, so you don't end up switchng it off by accident.
To use, place it under the tongue of an older child or person, or a crease or fold of babies skin. Under the arm works well as you can cuddle baby whilst it is in place.
When the thermometer has taken your temperature, it will emit a bleeping noise, you then read the digital display. I have always found the readout to be accurate and have been quite happy with the durability and the effectiveness of the thermometer
James is quite fond of his thermometer now. When he is feeling poorly and I have to take his temperature he is quite relaxed about the whole process. I think this is partly to do with the fact I have let him investigate the thermometer, I let him turn it on and off and look at the numbers. When the bleeping starts he takes it out and says 'I cooked', I think he thinks is it similar to the microwave!
Having seen the price of the ear temperature readers come down in price to between £20-30 recently which is a more palatable price. For now I am happy with the thermometer I have as it has proved reliable and cost effective.
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