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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>What Thermometer Do You Use?
2grls4us 09:45 AM 05-06-2013
I had dcd try and drop off his child with a fever again today.
Maybe I'm just more experienced at these things having a teenager and now toddler. But how could they not notice 102+. He handed her to me as she was crabby and crying for him. I just barely touched her and could feel her warm all over. I told him to not leave until I checked her temp. Yep. 102 in one ear and he asked me to check the other. It read 103! Then talking to mom on the phone apparently he was upset that I sent them back home. Really!! We've been texting back and forth this morning and she now tells me they gave the child the meds last night before bed thought she was teething. Now she says they've only gotten 98.5 under her arm so even adding a degree 99.5 and have not given her anything?
I have a Braun ear thermometer has always worked in the past.
So here's my question what type of thermometer do you use? What do you find to be the most accurate?
Maybe I'm just more experienced at these things having a teenager and now toddler. But how could they not notice 102+. He handed her to me as she was crabby and crying for him. I just barely touched her and could feel her warm all over. I told him to not leave until I checked her temp. Yep. 102 in one ear and he asked me to check the other. It read 103! Then talking to mom on the phone apparently he was upset that I sent them back home. Really!! We've been texting back and forth this morning and she now tells me they gave the child the meds last night before bed thought she was teething. Now she says they've only gotten 98.5 under her arm so even adding a degree 99.5 and have not given her anything?
I have a Braun ear thermometer has always worked in the past.
So here's my question what type of thermometer do you use? What do you find to be the most accurate?
snbauser 10:05 AM 05-06-2013
I also use the braun ear thermometer although I need to get a new one. Mine is from when my now 21 year old was about 2. LOL!!
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:09 AM 05-06-2013
I just use a plain old digital one under the armpit. I had a Mom demand that I get a better thermometer and to not take her child's temp under the armpit because it is ineffective. I told her that I was sorry she felt that way and if she wanted to provide a different thermometer I would be more than willing to accept it. However, the state says that underarm temps ARE valid.
littlemissmuffet 11:11 AM 05-06-2013
Originally Posted by 2grls4us:
I had dcd try and drop off his child with a fever again today.
Maybe I'm just more experienced at these things having a teenager and now toddler. But how could they not notice 102+. He handed her to me as she was crabby and crying for him. I just barely touched her and could feel her warm all over. I told him to not leave until I checked her temp. Yep. 102 in one ear and he asked me to check the other. It read 103! Then talking to mom on the phone apparently he was upset that I sent them back home. Really!! We've been texting back and forth this morning and she now tells me they gave the child the meds last night before bed thought she was teething. Now she says they've only gotten 98.5 under her arm so even adding a degree 99.5 and have not given her anything?
I have a Braun ear thermometer has always worked in the past.
So here's my question what type of thermometer do you use? What do you find to be the most accurate?
I use any old digital thermometer - but I *always* do rectal temps for 12 months to 3 years. 3+ I do underarm temps and add 1 degree for accuracy.I had dcd try and drop off his child with a fever again today.
Maybe I'm just more experienced at these things having a teenager and now toddler. But how could they not notice 102+. He handed her to me as she was crabby and crying for him. I just barely touched her and could feel her warm all over. I told him to not leave until I checked her temp. Yep. 102 in one ear and he asked me to check the other. It read 103! Then talking to mom on the phone apparently he was upset that I sent them back home. Really!! We've been texting back and forth this morning and she now tells me they gave the child the meds last night before bed thought she was teething. Now she says they've only gotten 98.5 under her arm so even adding a degree 99.5 and have not given her anything?
I have a Braun ear thermometer has always worked in the past.
So here's my question what type of thermometer do you use? What do you find to be the most accurate?
MamaBearCanada 11:29 AM 05-06-2013
I use the Braun ear one too.
Oneluckymom 11:41 AM 05-06-2013
I have about 3 different digital ones. I have been know to take a temp 2-3 times with a different one each time. Just to confirm a reading
I take it under the pit too...it is accurate.
I take it under the pit too...it is accurate.
2grls4us 12:14 PM 05-06-2013
Thanks for all the replies. My husband happened to have an appointment with our pcp today. I had him ask which would he recommend. He said the forehead and ear thermometers are accurate and the reason they and most doctors use the forehead is now because of cost. Which I understand those covers are costly for what little you use them.
2grls4us 12:17 PM 05-06-2013
Sorry he also said to take the temp in each ear if you don't like the results. If still not what you want wait a few minutes and try again.
Which is what we do so glad we're on the same page as our doctor.
Which is what we do so glad we're on the same page as our doctor.
snbauser 02:06 PM 05-06-2013
Originally Posted by 2grls4us:
Sorry he also said to take the temp in each ear if you don't like the results. If still not what you want wait a few minutes and try again.
Which is what we do so glad we're on the same page as our doctor.
This is what I do. I take it in both ears. If I'm not convinced that it accurate I will wait a few minutes and take it again.Sorry he also said to take the temp in each ear if you don't like the results. If still not what you want wait a few minutes and try again.
Which is what we do so glad we're on the same page as our doctor.
Cradle2crayons 02:18 PM 05-06-2013
I use a plain ole digital thermometer and do rectal for all children under 2. Rectal is the most accurate method there is. For over two, I use the Braun ear one and always do both ears. I never do armpit.
MNMum 03:11 PM 05-06-2013
FWIW, in the hospital we use a simple digital thermometer and do underarm temps. I feel if it is accurate enough for our preemies, it's good enough for daycare.
Unregistered 03:38 PM 05-06-2013
Originally Posted by MNMum:
FWIW, in the hospital we use a simple digital thermometer and do underarm temps. I feel if it is accurate enough for our preemies, it's good enough for daycare.
your hospital does underarm temps in PREEMIES? in my state, all babies in the hospital get rectal. wow.FWIW, in the hospital we use a simple digital thermometer and do underarm temps. I feel if it is accurate enough for our preemies, it's good enough for daycare.
MarinaVanessa 03:52 PM 05-06-2013
Just for my sake I have all types of thermometers. I have:
A forehead digital one
Forehead thermometer strips (so I can keep an eye on a DCK if a temperature reading is just below 100) similar to the ones below but not exactly like it, mine stick on. (My MIL brought them to me, she works at a hospital)
An ear thermometer
A few of the regular oral digital thermometers
and an underarm thermometer
I've collected them all over the years because of parents that argue about temperature, whether I'm using it wrong or not, the type of thermometer etc. If I take a temperature reading I'll take it again with each thermometer type just to be sure. It's hard to argue with 4 thermometer readings
.
The only type of reading I won't do is rectal.
A forehead digital one
Forehead thermometer strips (so I can keep an eye on a DCK if a temperature reading is just below 100) similar to the ones below but not exactly like it, mine stick on. (My MIL brought them to me, she works at a hospital)
An ear thermometer
A few of the regular oral digital thermometers
and an underarm thermometer
I've collected them all over the years because of parents that argue about temperature, whether I'm using it wrong or not, the type of thermometer etc. If I take a temperature reading I'll take it again with each thermometer type just to be sure. It's hard to argue with 4 thermometer readings
. The only type of reading I won't do is rectal.
littlemissmuffet 05:05 PM 05-06-2013
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
your hospital does underarm temps in PREEMIES? in my state, all babies in the hospital get rectal. wow.
your hospital does underarm temps in PREEMIES? in my state, all babies in the hospital get rectal. wow.
Our hospitals use armpit readings for preemies as well. Our NICU is one of the best in Canada.
MNMum 05:57 PM 05-06-2013
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
your hospital does underarm temps in PREEMIES? in my state, all babies in the hospital get rectal. wow.
We do. And we are one of the best hospitals around. We check temps every 4 hours. Rectal temps every 4 hours poses a risk to the child, especially a preemie. An armpit temp is much less invasive.your hospital does underarm temps in PREEMIES? in my state, all babies in the hospital get rectal. wow.
Cradle2crayons 06:14 PM 05-06-2013
Originally Posted by MNMum:
We do. And we are one of the best hospitals around. We check temps every 4 hours. Rectal temps every 4 hours poses a risk to the child, especially a preemie. An armpit temp is much less invasive.
Here in my state they do rectals in the hospital as well... But every two hours ... And if they are in icu they will do them every hour if necessary... All rectal. Actually rectals aren't invasive at all. You don't put the thermometer two inches in there We do. And we are one of the best hospitals around. We check temps every 4 hours. Rectal temps every 4 hours poses a risk to the child, especially a preemie. An armpit temp is much less invasive.
craftymissbeth 06:27 PM 05-06-2013
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
your hospital does underarm temps in PREEMIES? in my state, all babies in the hospital get rectal. wow.
My DS was born in 2006 (so things may have changed since then) and was born at 34 weeks. No one in the NICU or Special Care Unit took temperatures rectally... and when I was being "trained" by the nurses in the SCU to care for my itty bitty baby they advised me to never take his temperature rectally. In the 6 years that he's been alive I have *never* taken his temperature rectally. I'm not sure what docs normally recommend, but I just don't feel comfortable taking a child's temperature rectally especially if they are not my child... simply because of the recommendations of my son's nurses/docs.your hospital does underarm temps in PREEMIES? in my state, all babies in the hospital get rectal. wow.
Cradle2crayons 06:35 PM 05-06-2013
Originally Posted by craftymissbeth:
My DS was born in 2006 (so things may have changed since then) and was born at 34 weeks. No one in the NICU or Special Care Unit took temperatures rectally... and when I was being "trained" by the nurses in the SCU to care for my itty bitty baby they advised me to never take his temperature rectally. In the 6 years that he's been alive I have *never* taken his temperature rectally. I'm not sure what docs normally recommend, but I just don't feel comfortable taking a child's temperature rectally especially if they are not my child... simply because of the recommendations of my son's nurses/docs.
Maybe they don't advise it because if you don't do it correctly it can cause a problem.... I've been a nurse since 1997 and that's all we've ever done in infants and kids under two. As a matter of fact, in adult ICU everywhere I have worked, IF we KNOW the patient has a high temp, they are done rectal as well. I can't tell you how many doctors in critical care insist its the most accurate.My DS was born in 2006 (so things may have changed since then) and was born at 34 weeks. No one in the NICU or Special Care Unit took temperatures rectally... and when I was being "trained" by the nurses in the SCU to care for my itty bitty baby they advised me to never take his temperature rectally. In the 6 years that he's been alive I have *never* taken his temperature rectally. I'm not sure what docs normally recommend, but I just don't feel comfortable taking a child's temperature rectally especially if they are not my child... simply because of the recommendations of my son's nurses/docs.
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't just do rectal temps every day lol. But if I know already that baby has a fever, I do a rectal temp. If they just feel a teensiest bit warm, I may not. But over age two, ear or laser forehead.
countrymom 07:02 PM 05-06-2013
they don't do rectal anymore (even when I was a nurse they stopped doing this) very unsafe. Most common is the ear.
now I'll be the odd one, but I haven't owned one in maybe 13 yrs. You ever see raymonds mother (every one loves raymond) how she kisses raymond when he's sick, well I can tell by touch, acually more like common sense. trust me, when they have a fever you'll know.
now I'll be the odd one, but I haven't owned one in maybe 13 yrs. You ever see raymonds mother (every one loves raymond) how she kisses raymond when he's sick, well I can tell by touch, acually more like common sense. trust me, when they have a fever you'll know.
Cradle2crayons 07:08 PM 05-06-2013
Maybe it's just a locale thing. I've noticed that a lot of states and etc do things related to different topics way different than others.
For instance, corporal punishment. Schools here still do spankings here.
Licensing rules are way different here too.
I've noticed a lot of cultural things reflect the differences where I live as well.
To each their own. Related to temperatures and every other topic lol
For instance, corporal punishment. Schools here still do spankings here.
Licensing rules are way different here too.
I've noticed a lot of cultural things reflect the differences where I live as well.
To each their own. Related to temperatures and every other topic lol
Starburst 07:24 PM 05-06-2013
I think it would depend on the child. For the most part, they are younger I would probably use an ear thermometer, if older I probably would either use an ear thermometer or just use a standard mouth thermometer (and just sterilize it after each use).
I saw this on Pintrist and thought it would be cool for testing an infants temperature if they were fussy or had ear aches or ear issues that made the ear thermometer difficult to use, I am just not sure how accurate it is.
http://pinterest.com/pin/390828073882868726/
I saw this on Pintrist and thought it would be cool for testing an infants temperature if they were fussy or had ear aches or ear issues that made the ear thermometer difficult to use, I am just not sure how accurate it is.
http://pinterest.com/pin/390828073882868726/
Cradle2crayons 07:29 PM 05-06-2013
Originally Posted by Starburst:
I think it would depend on the child. If they are younger I would probably use an ear thermometer, if older I probably would either use an ear thermometer or just use a standard mouth thermometer.
I saw this on Pintrist and thought it would be cool for testing an infants temperature if they were fussy or had ear aches or ear issues that made the ear thermometer difficult to use, I am just not sure how accurate it is.
http://pinterest.com/pin/390828073882868726/
I was told these were terribly inaccurate and I tried them when my daughter was little..l very unreliable in my experience... Let me find a picture of what my np and I use....I think it would depend on the child. If they are younger I would probably use an ear thermometer, if older I probably would either use an ear thermometer or just use a standard mouth thermometer.
I saw this on Pintrist and thought it would be cool for testing an infants temperature if they were fussy or had ear aches or ear issues that made the ear thermometer difficult to use, I am just not sure how accurate it is.
http://pinterest.com/pin/390828073882868726/
craftymissbeth 07:40 PM 05-06-2013
Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons:
Maybe they don't advise it because if you don't do it correctly it can cause a problem.... I've been a nurse since 1997 and that's all we've ever done in infants and kids under two. As a matter of fact, in adult ICU everywhere I have worked, IF we KNOW the patient has a high temp, they are done rectal as well. I can't tell you how many doctors in critical care insist its the most accurate.
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't just do rectal temps every day lol. But if I know already that baby has a fever, I do a rectal temp. If they just feel a teensiest bit warm, I may not. But over age two, ear or laser forehead.
I'm positive that's the reason why it isn't recommended. I can't imagine that the average parent or even in home daycare provider is trained properly in taking temperatures rectally KWIM?Maybe they don't advise it because if you don't do it correctly it can cause a problem.... I've been a nurse since 1997 and that's all we've ever done in infants and kids under two. As a matter of fact, in adult ICU everywhere I have worked, IF we KNOW the patient has a high temp, they are done rectal as well. I can't tell you how many doctors in critical care insist its the most accurate.
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't just do rectal temps every day lol. But if I know already that baby has a fever, I do a rectal temp. If they just feel a teensiest bit warm, I may not. But over age two, ear or laser forehead.
Cradle2crayons 07:42 PM 05-06-2013
This is what all my docs use and me too.... It gives the exact same number as the second one I'm going to post....
http://www.amazon.com/Professional-C...ad+thermometer
Here is the other one I have...it takes a little practice but if you do it wrong it doesn't give a wrong number it just says error...again it gives the same number as the first one...
http://www.amazon.com/Exergen-Tempor...ad+thermometer
http://www.amazon.com/Professional-C...ad+thermometer
Here is the other one I have...it takes a little practice but if you do it wrong it doesn't give a wrong number it just says error...again it gives the same number as the first one...
http://www.amazon.com/Exergen-Tempor...ad+thermometer
Cradle2crayons 07:44 PM 05-06-2013
Originally Posted by craftymissbeth:
I'm positive that's the reason why it isn't recommended. I can't imagine that the average parent or even in home daycare provider is trained properly in taking temperatures rectally KWIM?
Also in my experience I've seen almost every parent of patients of mine do axillary temps incorrectly too....I'm positive that's the reason why it isn't recommended. I can't imagine that the average parent or even in home daycare provider is trained properly in taking temperatures rectally KWIM?
I've been trained how to do them all... But I can definitely see how people do all methods wrong....
craftymissbeth 07:51 PM 05-06-2013
Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons:
Also in my experience I've seen almost every parent of patients of mine do axillary temps incorrectly too....
I've been trained how to do them all... But I can definitely see how people do all methods wrong....
That's a very good point, but taking a child's temperature via armpit is far less likely to result in an injury than rectally Also in my experience I've seen almost every parent of patients of mine do axillary temps incorrectly too....
I've been trained how to do them all... But I can definitely see how people do all methods wrong....
Honestly, I guess the reason I oppose it is because of my own fears and that doesn't make me right
Patches 09:48 PM 05-06-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I just use a plain old digital one under the armpit. I had a Mom demand that I get a better thermometer and to not take her child's temp under the armpit because it is ineffective. I told her that I was sorry she felt that way and if she wanted to provide a different thermometer I would be more than willing to accept it. However, the state says that underarm temps ARE valid.
I'm glad I'mnot the only one.I just use a plain old digital one under the armpit. I had a Mom demand that I get a better thermometer and to not take her child's temp under the armpit because it is ineffective. I told her that I was sorry she felt that way and if she wanted to provide a different thermometer I would be more than willing to accept it. However, the state says that underarm temps ARE valid.
I was beginning to think I was the last person on Earth still taking underarm temps
