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I just bought an ear thermometer, but thinking about it, is it really necessary? or will a digital one that you stick under the arm work just as well? The ear thermometer was about $70, but i think the digital ones are around the $15 mark.
Any opinions?
We had both & found the ear one to be much easier. It's so much faster to read & you can hold bubs head still for the 2 seconds it takes easier than the 15 or so seconds with an under arm one.
We have three types at home (just because we like to waste money - NOT!!).
Here's my opinion on all three:
Forehead thermometer - worked great for a few weeks, then when we really needed an accurate reading (DS had tonsillitis and was running a massively high temp) it shat itself at midnight one night. It was reading all over the place between 34 and 41 - different measurements, and then wouldn't register him as alive - so yeah, dropped that one.
Under the arm - got one of these, and its probably the most accurate, but to get DS to stay still for 60 seconds is HARD. So only use this one if he is really really sick and not moving that much.
Ear - got a really good one for $80 and we love it!!! We figure that the hospitals and docs all use ear ones so there must be a good reason for why they are more commonly used. We are quite happy with our ear one.
Thats just our opinion though - some kids might be good and stay still for the underarm one, but DS wouldn't - he would just scream. Ear one takes about 3 seconds - so its not as bad.
Forehead one is a good idea for when they are sleeping so you don't have to touch them, but he's never woken up with the ear one anyway.
Good luck deciding which is best for you!!!
We love our ear one, well worth the investment I think, and I have even used it in the middle of the night and she didn't even stir, whereas with an underarm one I would have to wake her.
It may not seem like it now but once you have used it a few times you will be thankful you got it!