• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

How to Read Baby Thermometers

January 5, 2011 by ds_58890 Leave a Comment

Most thermometers on the market today designed for babies are digital, and for good reason. The mercury contained in standard thermometers creates a health hazard. The American Academy of Pediatrics states, “we advise parents to remove any mercury thermometers from the home to prevent accidental exposure to mercury, which is a toxin,” in the book “Caring for Your Baby and Young Child.” Using digital baby thermometers makes taking your baby’s temperature not only safer, but easier to read as well.

Step 1

Take a rectal temperature by putting on a disposable plastic thermometer sleeve over the tip of the thermometer, followed by a lubricant such as petroleum jelly. Then insert the tip 0.5 to 1.0 inch into your baby’s rectum as she lays face down on your lap. Push the on button to start the thermometer. Remove a rectal thermometer from your baby’s rectum after you hear the finished beep and view the digital screen to read the thermometer.

Step 2

Read an ear thermometer’s digital screen within a few seconds after placing it in your baby’s ear and after you hear the finished beep. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that to get the most accurate reading with an ear thermometer, gently put the tip into the ear canal and then press the start button. Hold the thermometer steady until you hear the finished beep.

Step 3

Read the digital screen of a pacifier thermometer after placing it into your baby’s mouth and keeping it there until you hear the finished beep. If the pacifier falls out, then you will need to start over. Pacifier thermometers may be the least accurate, but are an acceptable option if it is the only way you can take your baby’s temperature.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Living Healthy

About ds_58890

Lynn Anders has more than 15 years of professional experience working with animals as a zookeeper and wildlife educator, and in pet rescue. Freelance writing since 2007, her work has appeared on websites such as Modern Mom and Trails, and includes pet-related topics, environmental issues and parenting matters. She has a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies from Cal State University-Sacramento, and minored in biology.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

Kissing Kids on the Lips: Fine or Not?

I recently read an article that says that parents should not … [Read More...] about Kissing Kids on the Lips: Fine or Not?

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

Functions of Flour in Baking

What Are the Functions of Flour in Baking?

Clean the Smell From the Inside of a Leather Jacket

How to Clean the Smell From the Inside of a Leather Jacket

Do You Have to Refrigerate Glazed Donuts?

Do You Have to Refrigerate Glazed Donuts?

When Can a Baby Hear in the Womb

When Can a Baby Hear in the Womb ?

Painful Intercourse During Pregnancy

Painful Intercourse During Pregnancy

Use Frozen Bananas for Baking

How to Use Frozen Bananas for Baking

When Should You Give a Pacifier to a Baby

When Should You Give a Pacifier to a Baby?

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2023 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.