Is a digital thermometer safe for babies?
As a parent, you might be wondering if digital thermometers are safe for your baby. They totally are! You will find them to be much better than those old-school, mercury-filled glass thermometers because they are fast, don’t have mercury in them, and are entirely made of plastic. So even if they accidentally break, there is no risk of getting exposed to harmful mercury fumes.
Are digital thermometers accurate for babies?
Yes, a digital thermometer will provide you with accurate readings if you use it correctly for taking your baby’s temperature. While it is important to purchase a good-quality thermometer, you must make it a point to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for accurate measurement. Another thing to remember when checking babies and toddlers under three for fever is to take rectal temperatures if you want to get a precise reading.
How Do We Choose These Digital Thermometers For Babies
The BabyG team conducts thorough research on all the products recommended in the list through their personal experience as parents and experts and the community experience of over 300k parents who use the BabyG early development app. During the research process, we looked at reviews around real usage of the product, quality, rating, pricing, safety, and overall value as per the use cases of different parents.
To choose the best baby digital thermometers, we further detailed our research to look for thermometers that offer diverse uses, are non-toxic and provide accurate readings. As well as if they are lightweight, durable, and if the features are easy to use.
By doing so, our team has ensured that we provide our community with reliable and high-quality product recommendations. Our mission is to ensure that our parenting community always make informed, expert recommended and well researched decision to give the best development and products to their little ones.
Top Rated Baby Digital Thermometers in India
1. Best for Affordability: Mee Mee Accurate Flexible Digital Thermometer
Mee Mee’s digital thermometer is a simple gadget that runs on batteries. Don't worry if you have any safety concerns because this device is made of safe non-toxic material. Using this thermometer, you can record temperatures between 89°F - 108°F. To ensure babies are not uncomfortable during temperature measurement, the device comes with a flexible tip which is apt for taking rectal, oral, and armpit temperatures. There is also an LED display that shows you the recorded temperature nice and clear. Cleaning the device is easy too! Rinse the device with a little water and you’re good to go for next use. All in all, Mee Mee’s digital thermometer is a reliable tool that you can buy at an affordable price.
Suitable for: Kids
Unique Feature: A flexible tip makes rectal temperature measurement comfortable for babies.
Pros: Waterproof, Easy to use, Travel-friendly
Cons: Battery not included
Rating: 3.6/5
Price: ₹320.00
2. Best for Easy Operation: BPL Accudigit F2 Infrared Thermometer (76)
Measure your baby’s fever with this easy-to-operate thermometer that requires no physical contact. It has an infrared temperature sensor that quickly measures body temperature straight from the forehead. Parents can adjust the thermometer settings to °F or °C, as per their preference. The device sets off an alarm if it detects a fever and promptly displays the numbers on the screen. You can store 20 readings in your BPL thermometer and keep them for future reference. Other highlights of this user-friendly thermometer are a low battery indicator that tells you when it’s time to replace the batteries and an auto shut-off feature that turns off the device automatically in case you forget to switch it off.
Response Time: 1 second
Suitable for: All ages
Unique Feature: Has an infrared sensor for quick temperature measurement.
Pros: Quick and easy to use, batteries included, one-button operation
Cons: Battery replacement is difficult
Rating: 4.0/5
Price: ₹1,994.00
3. Best for Latest Technology: HealthSense Digital Thermometer
This digital thermometer by HealthSense is an ergonomically designed, fast-reading device. It is equipped with Blue Dot Technology to measure body temperature from a distance and German Sensors for accurate measurement. Its pure copper probe allows the thermometer to detect even the most subtle temperature fluctuations with precision. This device can measure body, liquids, and object temperatures. It has a tri-colour backlight option to indicate different ranges of body temperatures. You can easily convert the readings from °C to °F. A simple button turns the thermometer on/off, and the large LCD screen displays readings clearly. This product also comes with a one-year warranty period.
Response Time: 1 second
Suitable for: All ages
Unique Feature: Its pure copper probe picks up even the slightest temperature fluctuations.
Pros: Lightweight, easy to operate, batteries included
Cons: The product is non-returnable
Rating: 4.1/5
Price: ₹1,699.00
4. Best Overall: Vandelay Infrared Thermometer
Here is another non-contact infrared baby digital thermometer suitable for forehead temperature measurement. It is a Made-in-India product that offers a safe and accurate way of taking a baby's body temperature. The thermometer has three colour indicators highlighting normal, low, and high fever. There is a fever alarm to signal if the baby has a fever. Plus, it is equipped with a memory feature to save past 32 readings, so you can quickly refer to it when your child's paediatrician asks for it. Measuring the temperature using this device is simple. Just place the thermometer 1-2 inches away from your baby’s forehead, press the button, and you will see the reading on the large HD LED screen.
Response Time: 1 second
Suitable for: All ages
Unique Feature: It has a large memory to store up to 32 temperature readings.
Pros: Simple operation, easy °C to °F conversion, mercury-free
Cons: Does not have a pointer light
Rating: 4/5
Price: ₹1,349.00
5. Best for Versatility: Dr Trust Waterproof Flexible Tip Digital Thermometer
Dr Trust's digital thermometer is another easy-to-use device for measuring accurate temperature readings. The thermometric sensor and flexible thermometer tip help you easily take the rectal, oral, or axillary temperature. It comes with °F and °C modes which you can switch easily when required, and a memory function that saves the last recorded temperature. The device comes with a pre-installed coin battery, so you can use it right away, and a storage cover to keep the device secure. Remember to read the user manual that comes with the product to learn to use it properly.
Response Time: 1 second
Suitable for: All ages
Unique Feature: It uses two colour codes for easy differentiation between body and object temperatures.
Pros: BPA and latex-free, easy to use, features "quiet mode"
Cons: Battery replacement may be difficult
Rating: 4.0/5
Price: ₹1,919.00
6. Best for Warranty: Dr Odin Digital Infrared Forehead Thermometer
Dr Odin Digital Infrared Forehead Thermometer is another product in the non-contact thermometer category. This mercury-free thermometer lets parents quickly take their baby's body temperature in just one second. Its backlit LCD has dual colour coding to differentiate between human and object temperatures. One must keep the infrared sensor 0.5 - 2 inches from the forehead to achieve accurate readings by pressing the simple power button. The thermometer comes with batteries, a user manual, a carry bag for safe storage, and an 18-month warranty period.
Response Time: 1 second
Suitable for: All ages
Unique Feature: It uses two colour codes for easy differentiation between body and object temperatures.
Pros: BPA and latex-free, easy to use, features "quiet mode"
Cons: Battery replacement may be difficult
Rating: 4.0/5
Price: ₹1,919.00
What to look for in a baby digital thermometer?
Five points to take into account when browsing to find the perfect digital thermometer for your baby are:
How fast is it? – A baby digital thermometer should be capable of delivering quick readings, as sick babies won’t stay still long enough. Any device that fails to do so won’t serve its purpose.
How accurate is it? – We always need precise and accurate temperature readings, especially in the case of babies, because even a slight error in reading can be dangerous for a baby’s health.
Is it safe for the baby? – Safety is another criterion that needs special mention. Digital thermometers that come with a flexible tip are usually safe, as it is more comfortable for babies when measuring temperature rectally. In addition, a device made of non-toxic material also ensures safety for little ones.
Is it user-friendly? – The last thing you want when measuring your sick child’s temperature is a thermometer that won’t turn on or is tricky to operate. So, pick a product that comes with a manual so you can easily operate it whenever needed.
Are there any extra features? – Having extra features is always a plus! Backlit display and memory recall are a few features that come in handy for parents. You won’t have to turn on the lights and disturb your sleeping baby to read the temperature at night, and past readings will be at your fingertips in case you need to review them later.
How to take a baby's temperature with a digital thermometer?
The steps of taking a baby's temperature differ depending on which part of the body the digital thermometer is used. Let us see them one by one.
Rectal Temperature:
1. Wash your hands before taking your baby's temperature.
2. Turn on the thermometer and make sure it is ready.
3. Apply petroleum jelly on the tip of the thermometer for lubrication.
4. Lay your baby on their back on a comfortable surface.
5. Lift your baby's legs toward their chest and hold them in place.
6. Insert the thermometer about ½ - 1 inch deep into the baby's rectum. Do this very gently and stop when you feel resistance.
7. Hold the thermometer in place until it beeps to indicate the reading has been taken.
8. Carefully remove the thermometer and check the reading.
Oral Temperature:
1. Wash the thermometer well under cool water. Be sure not to wet the display panel.
2. Switch on the thermometer to measure your child’s temperature.
3. Ask them to open their mouth and place the thermometer under their tongue. Let them hold it in place by keeping their mouth closed.
4. Remove the thermometer when it beeps, signalling the reading has been taken.
5. Read the temperature displayed on the screen.
Forehead Temperature:
1. Turn the thermometer on.
2. Point the sensor toward the centre of the baby's forehead.
3. Read the instruction leaflet to check how far the thermometer must be from the baby's forehead.
4. Press the button and keep it steady for a few seconds.
5. Read the display screen to know your baby's temperature.
Axillary Temperature:
1. Turn on the thermometer.
2. Raise your baby's arm and place the thermometer at the centre of the armpit. Lower the arm and keep it close to the body, so it does not displace from its position.
3. Hold it in place until the thermometer starts beeping.
4. Take the thermometer out to check the reading.
Here's a comprehensive guide on how to measure a child's temperature, when to consult your doctor, and more tips on how to combat fever.
Conclusion
As a mother, I know exactly how worrying it can be for parents when their baby is down with fever. At such times, a baby digital thermometer serves as a handy device to monitor the fever so you can do all that is required to ease your child's discomfort. While there are several thermometer brands available, it is important to pick a good-quality thermometer providing legit readings. The last thing you would want is a thermometer that shows false readings when your baby is burning with fever. So, get yourself a reliable baby thermometer to know when it’s time to see a doctor. This will ensure your little one recovers quickly and returns to their happy and healthy self as soon as possible.
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