Choosing a good electronic and infrared thermometer for a newborn

The most important criteria when choosing a means for caring for a newborn baby are convenience and safety. And this applies to literally every thing that will be used when performing certain manipulations with the baby. And since measuring body temperature is a mandatory procedure in the first months of his life, parents need to understand which thermometer is best to buy for a newborn while both safe for him and easy to use for parents.

How to choose a good thermometer for a newborn

In a newborn child, thermoregulatory processes in the body are not yet fully formed. In this case, heat transfer prevails over heat production, that is, heat generation. Therefore, young children very often freeze, and when measuring their body temperature, the thermometer shows values ​​that slightly exceed normal parameters. In order to understand what body temperature is normal for a child, it is necessary for several days to measure it at the same time at least three times a day. In this case, the child should not cuddle or sleep. Instability and excess of body temperature should end by the end of the first year of life.

The second very important parameter for determining which of the existing models of thermometers is better for the newborn is ease of use. So the usual way to measure body temperature when installing a thermometer in the armpit is not very convenient. It is very difficult to make a small child even for a short time be calm. Therefore, for these purposes, it is best to use other more accessible places, namely the forehead or even the mouth of the child.

What thermometers are suitable for a newborn

Based on the fact that the measurement of the body temperature of a newborn can be carried out only through accessible parts of the body, it can be concluded that the most acceptable methods for this are using infrared non-contact and some types of electronic thermometers. So non-contact thermometers take readings due to the built-in sensitive element that responds to the infrared radiation of the body. In order to find out the baby’s body temperature, you just need to bring the device to his temple or forehead. Most often, such devices are additionally equipped with a removable cap, wearing which you can quickly measure the indicator through the ear or by touching directly to the forehead.

As a temperature meter in electronic thermometers, special temperature sensors are used. The measurement result is also displayed on the display on the case. Their advantage is a small measurement error and the speed of obtaining the result. But still they are less convenient than infrared, since the time of use of such a device is 60 seconds or more, which is not always acceptable when used in newborns.

An interesting option for an electronic thermometer for a small child is a nipple thermometer. It is made in the form of an ordinary dummy, but at the same time a temperature sensor is built into it, and there is a display on the case.A thermal strip is also an acceptable option for a measuring device. It is an element made of film or paper, on which a temperature indicator is glued, changing its color due to the presence of special crystals in it.

Read also: mercury-free thermometer - features and benefits.

Which thermometer is better to choose - mercury or electronic?

The usual mercury thermometer is the most accurate of all existing to date. This is its undeniable advantage, including over electronic models, the minimum error of which is 0.1-0.2 ⁰C. In addition, the cost of such thermometer is more than acceptable (from 15 rubles). But still, this kind of it is better not to use it to measure the body temperature of a newborn because of its inherent disadvantages. which include:

• fragility, which is explained by the fact that the thermometer case is made of thin glass and when dropped it can easily break;
• increased risk associated with the use of a mercury composition for measuring temperature. In the event mercury falls and flows out of a special flask, its vapors can have a negative effect on the human body, and even harder damage to the health of a newborn child;
• the need to hold the thermometer under the armpit is a fairly large amount of time (10 minutes).

Therefore, it is better for a newborn to prefer electronic view of a thermometerrather than mercury. It can be used later, when the child can sit or lie down during its use.

Rating of the best models of thermometers for newborns

The top models of thermometers for newborns, which are convenient to use and safe for the child, include the following models:

• B. Well WF-1000 is one of the most inexpensive but acceptable thermometer options that can be safely used for a newborn baby. The cost of such a device is approximately equal to 1250 rubles. The determination of body temperature is carried out in a non-contact way when the thermometer is brought to the forehead or temple, as well as by means of inserting a special removable tip into the ear. The temperature is determined in 2-3 seconds, after which a sound signal is heard and the result is displayed on the display, which has a backlight. Measurement error 0.1-0.2 ⁰C. The advantages include lightness and ease of grip. The disadvantages are the likelihood of a fake device. In this case, the measurement error of low-quality devices can reach 1.0-1.5 ⁰FROM;
  

  B. Well WF-1000
• Sensitec NF3010 - contactless infrared thermometer, the average cost of which is equal to 2745 rubles. The error of temperature measurement is 0.3 ⁰C at her testimony less than 37 ⁰C. After this value, the thermometer can “lie” by 1-1.2 for 7-10 consecutive measurements ⁰C, but after that it starts to show a reliable temperature. The duration of the procedure is 1-2 seconds. Among the advantages of this device, it is possible to note the presence of a data calibration function and saving the results for comparative analysis. It can be used both for the body and for determining the temperature of a liquid, for which there is a mode switch on the device body. On a digital display with backlight, the values ​​of the rendered renderings in any of the more acceptable units of measurement are displayed in large numbers: Celsius or Fahrenheit. After the thermometer is stationary for a certain time, it automatically turns off;
  

  Sensitec NF3010

• ITherm iFever is one of the best electronic thermometers that allows you to measure your child’s body temperature constantly. It is conveniently attached to the armpit with an adjustable and securely fixed strap.The device is powered by a CR type battery, the replacement of which will be required after 720 hours of continuous use. For better control, the received data is transmitted via Bluetooth 4.0 to any mobile device, which should be no further than 18 meters from the device. When the temperature exceeds normal values, the device emits an alarm. Measurement Accuracy - 0.1 ⁰C, the ability to select a display unit between Celsius and Fahrenheit, the weight of the device without a battery is 20 g. A significant disadvantage of this device is its significant cost, which is on average 4150 rubles.