I purchased a ear one when I was pregnant. But when DD was in Special Care nursery we did her temp with just an under arm one. Aparently the Ear ones are not suitable for infants (that's what the mw told us). I had originally wanted the forehead one but someone told me that they weren't acurate. We did a test with one compared to underarm in the nursery and they were the same. So I would recommend the forehead one if you want to spend the $$ otherwise a simple underarm electric one for less than $10. We've purchased one for DD until her ears are bigger.
The best thermometers for all children are the underarm ones. They are cheap, accurate and easy to use. We use them in the Children's Hospitals and they are also used in special care and nurseries. The ear/tympanic thermometers are very inaccurate and you will see this just by testing temps in both ears- more often that not one will be higher than the other! Also babies/childrens ear canals are too small to get an accurate reading. Tympanics usually have a higher reading, up to .5 higher and this can be quite relevant when you bring an infant into hospital with a fever- ie. test/lumbar punctures vs observation and less invasive tests.
Hope this helps. Sometimes its the cheapest way thats the best!!
One thing to be careful of when you use a forehead thermometer is if your child is clammy it will give a false reading. if you are unsure of the temp always double check. I use a good old under the arm thermometer.
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