Ear thermometer question

I've been thinking about buying one of those expensive ear thermometers. I always feel like I'm adding insult to injury when I take the temperature of the twins rectally when they're already not feeling well! Does anyone have one? And if so - are they easy to use and accurate?

 

I got one a few years back, and I never found it to be very accurate. Their little ears are just too small to get it in there. They might have gotten better since then though!

 

I really like mine...and, now they think it is funny when I take their temps. This one is accurate - I tested in on myself against a tongue thermometer a few times. I have the Thermoscan by, Braun. I like it a lot.

 

I just read this week that they are not as accurate. My son had a high fever so I got on the internet to see when it is necessary to bring them to the er. I think it was then that I saw rectal is the best way. There was something about the ear canal that could throw it off. I know what you mean. I hate doing it but I do feel confident that I know exactly what their temp is.

 

My five year old has had scores of high fevers. His ped NEVER wanted anything but a rectal temp. It's more accurate. He's finally old enough for an oral temp. Thank goodness!
I will say though that I also have the thermoscan by Braun. I used it for temps all the time. If I needed an accurate temp for the ped or just in case we needed to make an ER run, I followed an ear temp w/ a rectal temp. That way I only had to do a rectal temp if absolutely necessary. My peds office doesn't even take rectal temps. It's so hypocritical. LOL

 

The one I have (One Step Ahead I think) isn't accurate at all. I used it a couple of times w/ the girls and then w/ me and it would say something totally different each time, like w/in minutes. I have always wanted one of those temporal artery ones...

 

I've got both - ear and rectal. I've been really intimidated to use the rectal one, but the boys had their first colds two weeks ago and was "forced" to take their temps rectally, as that's what our ped wanted. It wasn't as bad as I thought! I feel like a "rectal temp taking champ" now!

 

Sorry for the inaccurate info, because I can't remember where I read this, but I could have sworn I read that you shouldn't use the ear one for like the first year or two because it just isn't accurate enough. I feel like I take my babies temps rectally all the time! They are never bothered by it ... I have one highly constipated child, so the pedi suggested doing that may help "move things along" ... so my poor son is constantly getting violated!