Can I trust the temporal thermometer?

Question

My baby felt super warm so I took his temperature and it reads that he has a fever. I do not have a regular thermometer so I cannot take it rectally and the stores in our area are all closed (stupid covid). 
Can I trust the temporal (forehead) thermometer or no??? I’ve read mixed things on it. He is 4 weeks old, in case that is important.

Answer

Mine did not work and always said he had a fever when he did not. I threw it in the trash

Answer

They are not accurate. My daughter had a fever tonight (based on armpit temp) and the temporal said 97.6. I’m glad I trusted my instincts instead

Answer

It’s my understanding that a rectal thermometer is the only way to know a baby’s true temperature. I think that’s recommended for the first year.

Answer

Temporal are not accurate for infants. Rectal is best for accuracy, auxiliary (armpit) is good for general monitoring after an accurate rectal. For example,  rectal temp is 101F. Auxiliary taken at the same time would be approximately 100F.  So monitoring you'd want to ensure it didn't go up, or if meds were given, that is going down then take another rectal when there appears to be a change. 
If all you have is a temporal, use it to monitor until you get a rectal thermometer. Ask the pediatrician the best place to measure on their head and what temp readings that would lead to concern.

Answer

Check with your pediatrician, ours recommended either rectal or armpit but asked us to keep track of the temperature and how we took it since they will need to adjust slightly.
They steered us away from the forehead temperature with concerns over accuracy of the readings.

Answer

Rectal temps are the most accurate. I work in a hospital and we do rectals on all kids under 6 months old

Can I trust the temporal thermometer?

Let’s Glow

Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy

25+ million

4.8 stars

20+

Getting Pregnant

Pregnancy

1st Year (Baby & You)

Baby Products