It is quite normal for a baby's body temperature to rise during illness. This is a natural reaction of the immune system to infection and is believed to help the body to fight off illness. Measuring a baby's body temperature during illness enables you to monitor the progress of the illness and watch out for significant increases in temperature which could have serious complications.
Measuring the body temperature of a baby is not straightforward as they do not tend to cooperate. The rectal route is one possibility. However, this causes a great deal of discomfort. It also takes a long time to record an accurate reading as the thermometer bulb has to rise to body temperature.
The baby ear thermometer is a much better alternative. The process involves inserting a small sensor into the ear canal which causes little or no discomfort. The devices work by monitoring levels of infra red radiation which are emitted within the ear. Through complex electronics this is converted into a temperature reading which normally appears in under a second. The ear canal is considered to be an excellent site to measure body temperature as the ear drum shares a blood supply with the section of the brain that controls core body temperature. The resulting reading is therefore almost real time.
Contrary to popular belief these products are incredibly easy to use. Typically, you just place the device in the ear, push a button and you are done. Some of the most advanced baby ear thermometers will even give you an audible signal to confirm that the sensor is in the right place and that an accurate reading has been taken.
Use of baby ear thermometers was originally limited to the clinic as costs were prohibitively high. However, now costs have come down by so much that most households can afford one. Although focussed predominantly at babies they can also be used on older children, adults and the elderly.
Measuring the body temperature of a baby is not straightforward as they do not tend to cooperate. The rectal route is one possibility. However, this causes a great deal of discomfort. It also takes a long time to record an accurate reading as the thermometer bulb has to rise to body temperature.
The baby ear thermometer is a much better alternative. The process involves inserting a small sensor into the ear canal which causes little or no discomfort. The devices work by monitoring levels of infra red radiation which are emitted within the ear. Through complex electronics this is converted into a temperature reading which normally appears in under a second. The ear canal is considered to be an excellent site to measure body temperature as the ear drum shares a blood supply with the section of the brain that controls core body temperature. The resulting reading is therefore almost real time.
Contrary to popular belief these products are incredibly easy to use. Typically, you just place the device in the ear, push a button and you are done. Some of the most advanced baby ear thermometers will even give you an audible signal to confirm that the sensor is in the right place and that an accurate reading has been taken.
Use of baby ear thermometers was originally limited to the clinic as costs were prohibitively high. However, now costs have come down by so much that most households can afford one. Although focussed predominantly at babies they can also be used on older children, adults and the elderly.