Best Baby Thermometers of 2023

Your baby has been out of sorts all day. When they’re awake, they’re fussing, and when they’re napping, it’s not for long. Are they teething? Having an off day? Or coming down with something? A thermometer can help you gauge what’s up by telling you if your little one has a fever and if a call to your pediatrician might be in order.

Do You Need a Baby Thermometer?

Yes, you’ll want a thermometer on hand to take baby’s temperature so you can determine if your child needs a dose of medication, to see the pediatrician or just watchful waiting.

What Types of Baby Thermometers Are There?

Baby thermometers fall into these three basic types:

• Digital thermometers: Digital thermometers take a minute or less to record a temperature. They can be held under the tongue or in the armpit or inserted into the anus. And speaking of… We hate to break it to you, but it’s important to know that rectal temperature is the the gold standard for newborns and even older babies and toddlers. That’s because having a baby or small child hold the thermometer still in their mouth is near impossible, and an armpit reading is the least accurate measurement. Before your child is six months old, a rectal thermometer is the only reliable measurement.
• Ear thermometers: Quick and generally comfortable, ear thermometers (a.k.a. tympanic thermometers) measure the temperature inside the ear and are safe to use on babies six months and older.
• Forehead thermometers: More accurately known as temporal artery thermometers, these thermometers are swiped across the forehead to read the temperature of the major vein located there. It’s an easy, fast and non-invasive way to get a temperature on any child older than six months. You’ll typically pay more for the convenience factor of this kind of thermometer, though.

Note about pacifier thermometers: In theory, these sound awesome if your baby uses a binky. But don’t even consider these. Why? Because your baby would have to hold the pacifier still for three to five minutes in order to get a reading. And, unless sleeping, most babies won’t do that. Plus, this type of thermometer is not recommended for newborns.

When to Call the Doctor If Your Baby Has a Fever

Your baby’s temperature will fluctuate throughout the day. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics “American Academy of Pediatrics fever guidelines”) (AAP), a normal temperature for a child ranges from 97 to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s always good to keep in mind when you need to call the doctor for your child’s fever and when it’s okay to let it run its course. Per the experts, you should reach out to your pediatrician if:

• Your child is younger than 3 months and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher.
• Your child is between the ages of 3 and 6 months and has a rectal temperature up to 102 F (38.9 C) and seems unusually irritable or lethargic, or has a temperature higher than 102 F (38.9 C).
• Your child is between the ages of 6 and 24 months and has a rectal temperature higher than 102 F (38.9 C) that lasts longer than one day but shows no other symptoms. If your child is exhibiting other signs and symptoms like a cough, cold, or diarrhea, you may want to call your child’s doctor sooner based on severity. And when in doubt, call.

Below are some thermometers you may want to consider adding to your medicine cabinet.