Baby Thermometers

How To Buy The Best Baby Thermometer

Baby thermometer basics

A change in your child's temperature is the first sign that your little one is fighting an infection. While every parent knows how important it is to get an accurate temperature reading from your baby or toddler, it’s often very difficult – especially when your child is unwell. Amcal’s wide range of baby products includes reliable, quick and precise digital thermometers, trusted by parents across Australia.

Digital thermometers: Understanding your options

The best baby thermometers include digital, infrared forehead, and ear thermometers. Today, parents across Australia have many options. (We've come a long way since mercury thermometers and pacifier thermometers). With so much choice, today’s range of modern digital thermometers’ suitability depends a lot on your child’s age. And when it comes to all things baby, digital thermometers are not to be mistaken with room thermometers, which can also be digital but measure room temperature, not body temperature.

Different Types of Thermometers Available

• Digital thermometers are a popular choice as they work well for children of all ages. Digital thermometers are used for oral (under the tongue), axillary (underarm) and rectal temperature readings. For babies under 3 months rectal temperature readings are the most accurate using a digital thermometer gently with a flexible tip. If used correctly, results are accurate.
• Infrared forehead thermometers are non-contact, touchless and easy-to-use, and gives results in seconds. As a no-touch easy option, forehead thermometers are rarely resisted by children because no contact is required. These digital thermometers can even be used when your child is asleep, with easy-to-read results even in the dark with a backlit screen and LCD display. Forehead thermometers are also known as temporal artery thermometers because they scan the temporal artery.
• A tympanic or ear thermometer is inserted into the ear canal and uses infrared to read a temperature. It beeps as a signal that the temperature reading is complete. Also known as a digital ear thermometer, it is suited for babies over 3 months, but not for newborns. Be careful not to use ear thermometers in any aged child with an ear infection.
• Oral thermometers: These are digital thermometers placed under the tongue. (With a modern-day move away from mercury thermometers as well as pacifier thermometers).

Best Baby Thermometers

Digital thermometers are the best for young babies under 3 months where a rectal reading is recommended to accurately measure temperature. (Pacifier thermometers are no longer considered reliable to accurately measure a baby's temperature). For babies over 3 months digital thermometers are also recommended for rectal, oral or axillary readings. Modern baby thermometers readings are easy to read with backlit LED screens and LCD display.

Taking a baby’s temperature

Rectal temperature readings are the most accurate for newborns and babies under 3 months. For babies 3 months and older, digital thermometers and forehead thermometers are a quick and accurate way of measuring a baby’s temperature. Digital thermometers measure body temperature via oral, armpit or rectum, and give results within seconds. Forehead thermometers use infrared to quickly scan the forehead with results also in seconds.

Measuring Your Baby’s Temperature

Because a temperature may be a sign that your baby’s body is fighting an infection, and especially since an infant can’t explain how they’re feeling, being able to measure a baby’s temperature accurately and reliably is crucial.

Multiple and accurate readings

Many digital baby thermometers store temperature readings. Like Amcal’s range of Vick’s Forehead thermometer which has a memory tracker and stores the last 12 temperature results recorded. A digital thermometer that stores multiple and accurate readings can help track your child’s temperature over time and in response to medication.

Ways of reading the temperature

• In young babies: For newborn babies (under 3 months), a rectal reading is considered the most accurate way to measure temperature, where a digital thermometer is gently inserted as a rectal thermometer.
• Infants: For babies to toddlers (3 months to 3 years), rectal, armpit (axillary) and ear (tympanic) are the most common ways to read a temperature, as well as infrared forehead thermometers, because they are easy to use on a baby's forehead.
• Children: From 4 years and up, rectal, axillary and tympanic are most commonly used to read a temperature, as well as infrared forehead thermometers.

How to buy the best infant thermometer

Depending on your child’s age, choose the best infant thermometer that suits your family from Amcal’s trusted range of digital thermometers.

Reading the instructions

For your child’s safety and to get accurate and reliable results, always read the instructions of your digital thermometer. Besides keeping your family safe, this also ensures your product will last longer.

When to seek medical advice

If your newborn has a temperature, it is important to get immediate medical attention. For babies 3 months and up, if your child has a temperature of 38C or higher, speak to a medical professional for guidance and advice. In general, if your child’s temperature is higher than usual, especially if it persists, speak to your doctor. Every person’s ‘normal’ body temperature range differs so knowing each of your family members' normal range helps to manage their healthcare better.

Purchasing your thermometer

Buy online or visit an Amcal pharmacy close to you. We're Australia wide and stock a vast range of baby products as your child develops through the stages. From breastfeeding to nappies, we're with you and your family along for the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Thermometers