Conference moira::parenting

    	I think that they *overall* work very well, our pediatric office
    has used them for a while now.

    	The *only* (semi) bad experiences I've with them were:

    	1. When Spencer was small and he had one ear ache after another, he
    would freak out when someone (a Doctor) approached his ear. It was very
    difficult at times to get that thing in.

    	2. When Griffin was very sick at four months and his body
    temperature dropped very low, they took his temperature several times
    with the ear thermometer and did not believe the reading so they took
    his temperature rectally. When questioned about this, the nurses said
    that the ear thermometer was not very reliable at lower body
    temperatures. Probably not a great concern if hypothermia is not an
    issue.

    				Wendy
                                                             

We use one of the $10 electronic thermomenters, but we usually use it
under the armpit (about 1.2 deg F low) or in the groin (about .5 deg F low)
I am always unable to get a satisfactory temp reading under the tongue.

The kids usually don't mind under the arm.

When I visit the doctor and they ask if you've had a fever (or the patient!)
I always indicate the number of degrees of fever, rather than quote a
numerical value ... Many Nurses/Drs scream ... it's not accurate! when told
that the tempreature was taken in axilla (under the arm).  On the other
hand, for me at least, it's a heck of a lot more accurate than an oral
reading!  So by saying I've had about 3 degrees of fever, they don't know
and don't argue!!!

Stuart

    
    I use the ear thermometer and am very pleased with it.  
    
    It is especially useful for those "middle of the night readings"
    which can be done quickly, easily and without even waking the 
    child.  
    
    When using the thermometer, I always check BOTH ears.  I have
    found that if a child is laying on his side, the ear that is 
    pressed on the pillow or mattress will read higher than the other.
    
    You must also be sure to position the thermometer correctly, a
    little practice is needed.
    
    In short, I think they are great and would not hesitate to buy another
    if something happened to mine.
    
    
    Michelle
    eardrum, but in my opinion, well worth the effort!

Both HCHP and Children's Hospital stopped using these because they
can sometimes be inaccurate. I had our 2 yr old
in with a raging fever and the ear thermometer registered 101.
I knew he was a lot higher than that. My mother (super-nurse)
was with me and had a "discussion" with the nurse. They
ended up taking a rectal which showed he was 105!!!

I guess they've had enough of these misreadings to go
back to other more reliable (although slower) methods.

    Here's our $.02...
    
    We've been using an electronic ear thermometer for almost a year now.
    At first we didn't trust the readings, as they always seemed too low.
    In fact, I took our first one back to Lechmere's in exchange for a
    new one, thinking the first was defective. This second one seems more
    accurate. In fact, on three occasions, we've brought it along with us
    to the pedi in order to calibrate it against their 'super-duper'
    electronic thermometer. In each case, it varied by only 1/10th of a
    degree or less. That put us at ease about the accuracy, and coupled
    with the ease of use (3 seconds in the ear vs. struggling with a
    squirming infant or toddler for a minute or more), we recommend it
    highly!
    
    Freddie

    I purchased our electronic thermometer when I was pregnant with my
    second child.  My then 4 year old didn't like mommy to take his temp at
    all.  Even if it was under his arm.
    
    With the electronic thermometer, it's fun for Nick and easy for Mom to
    take his or Andrew's temp.  Nick likes to inspect the temp readings no
    matter who is getting it taken.
    
    I suggest you take the readings from both ears and also take their temp
    when they're not sick so you can get a better idea on what is normal
    for your child (or you).  Not everyone is 98.6.
    
    Anyway, it's been great having it and would also replace it if
    something happened to it.
    
    Chris
    

We use one too.  I've found that they are less accurate
with infants, because of the twisty ear canal, but very
accurate with preschool and adults.

I practised on my husband and me alot, so that I could
learn how to get accurate readings.  Over Thanksgiving,
Elise was sick (threw up at Thanksgiving dinner - her
birthday too!), and the ear thermometer was very accurate.

I have never been able to get a reasonable reading from
an armpit yet, so I'm really happy with this....

Pat

    My two cents.....
    
    I have one that I purchased just a few months ago.  My son, now two,
    has had countless ear infections and seems like every other bug in
    town, but the electronic thermometer has been a Godsend.  
    
    Christopher doesn't like it much, because his ears are what is always
    bothering him, but it is so much easier than rectal or auxilliary even
    with a Digital Thermometer, and our electronic one takes temperature in
    less than 2 seconds.
    
    I talked to our Pediatrician's nurse about them before I purchased
    ours.  I asked her because one time we were in the Doctor's office and
    she didn't have hers.  She said that because they use theirs so much
    they need calibration more often.  The next time we were visiting the
    Doctor, she had it back and has had everytime we go in (which seems
    about every two weeks).
    
    
    I saw it on "sale" in a Macy's add at Thanksgiving for $89.90.  I
    bought it at Macy's because it was cheaper or the same price as
    everyother place I looked.
    
    Katie
    
    

    As a result of this note I bought a Thermoscan thermometer.
    
    It is wonderful.  Prior to the thermoscan, I'd always take the
    baby's rectal temp more than once to verify the temperature.  
    Now I can double check the baby's temperature 10 times in the time 
    it would take to use the rectal.
    
    I like the idea of calibrating it against the Doctor's thermometer.
    Maybe I'll try it....  
    
    - Cathy

    Just a quick note.  I don't know if anyone has seen the digital
    pacifier thermometers around, I had seen them in The Right Start and
    One Step Ahead catalogs for 14.99 or more (plus shipping).  I found the
    same thing at Walmart this past weekend (it looked like the last one in
    stock at Walmart in Amherst,NH) for $9.99.  I picked one up to see if
    Aaron would use it, unfortunately all he'll do is drop it...Oh well.
    
    I just wanted to mention this if there are any new moms out there
    looking for an alternative kind of thermometer.  This isn't the
    pacifier with the dot that changes colors, it's an actual digital
    thermometer integrated into a pacifier.
    
    sandy
                                           

    We have one, and the trouble with it is that my daugher won't
    keep it in her mouth long enough to get an accurate reading. You
    need it in there for 5 minutes.  She keeps dropping it too!  My
    only thought is that if they are really sick, and need comforting,
    they *might* leave it in place long enough, but we haven't
    experienced that yet (probably a good thing...).
    
    /susan

    My brother gave me one of those ear thermometers for Xmas last year,
    which got opened early when Jake (the baby) got bronchiolitis at the
    same time Joe (the then-7.5 year old) got the A-Flu.  It was fabulous. 
    With two fidgety sick kids, I was really happy to be able to get that
    temp taken fast-fast-fast.
    
    Unfortunately, the quality just wasn't really there, 'cause the sucker
    died last month in the middle of a really bad viral thing my (now) 8
    year old was battling.  Changed the batteries, etc., nothing happened. 
    Maybe mine was made on a Monday?
    
    M.
    

    I would return it to the manufacturer.  There has to be some sort of
    warranty.  I have had mine for four years and it still works great!

    It took me three Thermoscans to get a good one.  My pedi had said
    she didn't like them because they quite frequently stopped working.
    So when my first one started showing error messages, I brought it
    back and exchanged.  The second one did the same thing in no time.
    Brought it back and exchanged.  Now this one is going to be two
    in September ( :-)  I just can't believe it!!!!) and is doing fine.
    
    						cj *->