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Work-Life Balance
WAHM- In This Feature
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- So Many Questions, So Little Time
- Is it OK to buy a used breast pump?
- What’s the best sleeping arrangement for my newborn?
- Can I use an heirloom crib?
- Do imported car seats sold in the US meet federal safety standards?
- Can I use my baby’s play yard as a crib when we travel?
- How soon can we travel with our newborn?
- If walkers aren't safe, why are they in stores?
- Can my baby play with toys for slightly older children?
- Can I hold my baby on my lap in taxi cabs?
- What makes one stroller worth $100 and another $750?
- What kind of baby thermometer should I buy?
- My baby just started walking. Is it time for shoes?
- Is it OK to use a hand-me-down car seat?
What kind of baby thermometer should I buy?
"I recommend a digital rectal thermometer. It's the most accurate way to take a baby's temperature," says Dr. Ari Brown, MD, an Austin, Texas pediatrician and coauthor of Baby 411.
For babies under three months, especially, every tenth of a degree counts. "The difference between a temp of 100.3 degrees and 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is whether you stay home or take your baby to the ER," says Dr. Brown. "So it's a good idea to have a thermometer that gives you an accurate reading. Digital ear thermometers can't do that."
In general, digital thermometers are easy to read and, if they break, don't expose your baby to the mercury in a glass thermometer. If you're squeamish about using a rectal thermometer, don't be. "Babies don't care," says Dr. Brown. If you'd like to change thermometers when your child is older, ask your pediatrician for a recommendation.