Digital, Ear or Temporal Thermometer?

 A temporal thermometer (forehead) or ear thermometer is quick & easy to measure baby's temperature - even while asleep. But for accuracy, a classical digital thermometer can't be beat. How to choose the best type?


My best personal advice is to get a good plain digital thermometer for when you need a precise temperature reading - for example to decide whether to go see the doctor/ER or not.

As an extra, for when accuracy is not that crucial but you need no-fuss: get a temporal thermometer. It will give you a good indication of your baby's body temperature - fever or not.

You know those moments, when your baby's had a fever during the day and while she's sleeping you want to check if it's still there or got better ... that's when such a quick indication can be so helpful.

Mom's tip alongside all these digital tools: a soft kiss on the forehead, although not precise at all, tells most moms even faster if there's no fever at all, or some temperature happening ... Trust your instincts, and then use the right thermometer to get a precise result when needed.

Let's have a look at the different types of thermometers to help you decide which one is right for you.

Digital Thermometer

Pro: Inexpensive. Accurate.
Con: Takes a while to measure, cannot be done while baby sleeps.

According to many pediatricians, a rectal measurement is the only accurate one for under 3 years old. As long as your baby does not mind too much, it is actually not difficult to do.

Tip: simply wet the tip with water or dip it in nappy cream for easy and painless insertion.

A digital rectal measurement will give you a very precise and reliable temperature. But you do have to get your baby to lie down still for about a minute or so ...

So until which age you will be able to do this will depend on how your child reacts.

Measuring under the arm (axillary) is an alternative but much less accurate and not so reliable in young babies: it is difficult to place it correctly under baby's arm and to hold it there for long enough.

You can try and do some test measurements you then compare with the rectal measurement though. Under arm will consistently give a lower result: most manufacturers list how much to add in the product manual.

As soon as your child is 3-5 years old, you will measure under arm (axillary) or under tongue (oral measurement)  easily.

A plain good digital thermometer like the Graco 5-Second Thermometer is safe to use rectally for baby, but you will be able to use it under arm or tongue later on. I also like its flexible tip.

There are also digital pacifier thermometers for young babies. Easy but not very reliable and not always practical (especially if your baby is not used to a dummy, or refuses to keep it in for long enough).

Top of page

Temporal Thermometer

Pro: No-hassle and quick. Good indication of body temperature.
Con: May need to average 2-3 measurements. Expensive.

A temporal thermometer or forehead thermometer measures body temperature at the forehead. The same place where us moms place our lips to get a first indication of fever/no fever ...

How a forehead or temporal thermometer works: with most models, you hold the head against your baby's forehead and gently swipe it sideways over the eyebrow and towards the hairline.

Most babies and toddlers don't mind this at all and won't even wake up it you want to measure while sleeping.

It's best to wipe dry baby's forehead before measuring to avoid wrong readings, as she may be a bit sweaty.

For young babies (under 1 year old, some say 3 years), results may not be very reliable.

Recent models of this type, like the Exergen Temporal Thermometer, are getting better and better and are widely used in hospitals. Unfortunately you have to spend a little, the cheapest ones will not give you good enough quality.

It does take a bit of practice to do the move correctly. The measurement may vary with how exactly you swipe. So it's a good idea to test often before starting to rely on the results.

Take your temporal thermometer to the doctor on your next visit to compare your results to his in a test measurement. And keep a digital thermometer at hand for those moments when every (centi)grade matters.

Either way, for a first quick indication, a good temporal thermometer is a very handy and easy tool. It will serve better once your baby reaches 1-2 years old.

Remark: there are also temple thermometers (no swiping, just hold against temple) on the market but I have not found any good reliable one to recommend. Please let me know if you have any experience

Top of page

Ear Thermometer

Pro: Quick indication of body temperature.
Con: Must insert precisely. Not with ear infection. Expensive.

To measure temperature with an ear thermometer, you have to insert its head into the ear entrance. To do this correctly you have to pull the ear to open and straighten the ear canal.

That's the main drawback of this type of thermometer: to do it correctly can be a little uncomfortable for your child. It'll be impossible when he has an ear infection. And if you don't insert correctly, the measurement will not be precise.

With a bit of practice though and once you get the hang of it, a good ear thermometer like the Braun Thermoscan gives good results.

Don't bother to shop (and pay!) for the fastest "1 second" gadget. Good quality may take just a few seconds longer, but those few moments won't bother your child that much.

Mind that for young babies (under 1 year old, some say 3 years), results may not be very reliable. As your child grow though, the ear thermometer can come in handy for quick and no-fuss measurements.

Always take your new thermometer with you on the next doctor's visit to do a test and compare measurement. Your doctor can also help you pull the ear and insert the thermometer correctly.

Top of page

No-touch or Non-contact Thermometer

Pro: -
Con: -

This type of thermometer involves no contact whatsoever. You simply hold it near baby's head. you can also use it to measure food and room temperature.

It sounds like the perfect solution, you can get baby's temperature anytime (especially when asleep), anywhere, in no time!

But unfortunately I have not met any parent who was happy with this type of thermometer, so I cannot recommend any.

If you have a no-touch thermometer, I would love for you to share your experience here.


Top of page