During illness it is quite normal for your body’s temperature to rise. The reasons for this are not fully understood but it is believed that a rise in body temperature reduces the rate of reproduction of various micro-organisms making it much easier for the body to fight off illness.
Monitoring your baby’s core body temperature during illness is very important for two reasons. Firstly, it gives an indication of the progress of the illness. If the temperature is getting higher it normally means that the illness is developing; if it is falling lower it normally means that the illness is passing. Secondly and more importantly however, during illness the body sometimes overreacts and the body temperature rises far too high. Although very rare thus can lead to fitting, coma and even death.
Conventional thermometers are not easy to use on your baby. The oral route requires cooperation, the underarm route is less accurate and the rectal route is unpleasant and causes discomfort. Conventional thermometers are also very slow as it takes time for the bulb to rise to body temperature before an accurate and stable reading can be obtained.
Baby thermometers are a great alternative. Previously due to their high cost they were only suitable for use in the clinic by professionals. Now the price has come down by so much they are an option for all households. The ear represents a great means of measuring body temperature. Firstly it is readily accessible and requires little cooperation from your baby. It also causes minimal discomfort. In addition, the ear shares a blood supply with the part of the brain that controls body temperature so the measurement that you get is highly accurate and truly reflects core body temperature.
The results are displayed extremely quickly. This is due to the fact that baby ear thermometers measure temperature by quantifying infra-red radiation that it emitted from all warm objects. The internal microchip then converts this feedback into a temperature which can be read. The results are typically available in less than a second.
They are very easy to use. Some even have just one button – you place it in the ear canal, push the button and you are done.
Baby ear thermometers are an incredible innovation. Now, no home with a bay or infant should be without one. If you want a baby ear thermometer then check out our site. We review two of the very best baby ear thermometers available on the market today.