Vicks Baby Rectal Thermometer Baby Thermometer for Rectal Temperature, Short and Flexible Tip with Fast Read Times and Large Digital Display

I had this thermometer with my first and bought it again for my second. This is easy to use and is designed in a way that you can't insert it too far (def gives peace of mind for a first time mama). Our pediatrician told me temps are more accurate when taken rectally and this thermometer makes it easy. It is also back lit so if you need to read it at night it's perfect.

This is truly an amazing product. As a first time mom I was terrified to check my babies temperature when he was just a couple months old, rectally. But the way that this thermometer is shaped it gives you peace of mind to know that there’s no way you can push it in too far and hurt your little one. It is really fast in reading the temperature, and seems quite accurate. I just used a little lubricant to help it go in, and afterwards wiped it off with an alcohol wipe. I’ve bought this several times since I received it, for baby shower gifts. Baby tolerated very well, until he got older. Can use for axillary (armpit) temp also when they get older, just look up differences on those temperatures.

Update 5/5/2016: I'm bumping it up to 5 stars because it started working again, and now almost 5 years later the battery finally died. We kept the 2nd one Amazon sent us for our 2nd kid, and it has been working too. So this is a good thermometer, just don't wash it with a faucet, use wipes.Original 8/19/2011:I hated researching for a baby thermometer, spent way too much time on Amazon since all of them have some negative reviews and their is no clear winner. Went with this one anyway. I can say that when it works it is easy to use and precise, in that I got very repeatable measurements going the rectal route (cannot comment on accuracy because I did not compare it to a NIST standard). It is easy to use with a screaming wiggling baby and the beeping lets you know you have your measurement, and that measurement is locked on the display until you turn it off. That is all great.The reason I give this 3 stars is that after two uses the LCD screen filled up with moisture and became unreadable. This was after gently cleaning with soap and water as stated in the instructions. It is a very poor design that water can get in the LCD screen, I mean this is something you stick up your childs rectum, of course it is going to see a little moisture, and I was even being careful having read about this problem in other reviews. Just one simple O-Ring seal and this thermometer would be 5 stars and be the clear Amazon favorite.Amazon is sending me another, which is great, and meanwhile 12 hours later the LCD screen seems to be drying out enough to function. Perhaps I can update this to 4 stars if it salvages itself.

I have been using this thermometer on my twin boys since they were babies. As others reviews state there are a couple of things to be aware of:1. Wash carefully. This is easy enough to do. We then use an alcohol swab to ensure it's sanitized.2. Keep spare batteries on hand. It takes SR41. I found this out the hard way. Had to send my husband to a 24 hour pharmacy at 2am. Thankfully he can home with the same thermometer so now we have a back up thermometer AND spare batteries. Nothing worse than your little one having a fever and not knowing if you need to take him or her to the ER3. Have a water based lubricant on hand. Maybe two tubes in case like me you are adept at misplacing things. It is not OK to use a petroleum based product on a childPros:It's quick readAccurate, as far as I can tell. Certainly better than the myriad other thermometers I have triedCannot be inserted too far due to its design which is so reassuringCons:The shape is a bit awkward to cleanAfter too much time and one very frightening febrile seizure (as a result of NOT having a reliable thermometer on hand) I happened upon this great product. Peace of mind in an area where parents really need it. Can not recommend this thermometer enough.One last thing. I have found a great way to reduce a fever is to bathe my children in a luke warm bath. A cold bath will cause the body to increase its temperature. I did this at 2am (while hubby went to the all night pharmacy! ) just this morning. My son who is now 3.5 thought this was the most amazing treat to have a bath without his twin brother using only a night light :)

Do not try to wash this with soap and water --- it will damage the screen, regardless of how careful you are to only wash the tip. I had my first Vicks thermometer for 2 years, cleaning it only with alcohol and cotton. I decided to wash the tip one day, and boom, thermometer is no longer working. Display is difficult to read. Sometimes wouldn't switch on. I bought a second one, because it worked well for us the past 2 years, but this time I will not wash it anymore and just clean it with alcohol and cotton.I like it because its design prevents you from pushing the tip in too far, and for the most part, I think it gives an accurate rectal temperature reading.For those who get different readings at one sitting --- it's probably because you held the thermometer differently each time. I get that some times --- when I held thermometer too loose, or squeezed baby's thighs too tight -- the readings could be different. If you use it properly, it should give you an accurate reading. Unless of course, you got a defective item.

I have used a couple of different thermometers from different brands, and have learned that this simple design is truly best. It is so easy to clean, use, and store. It's also convenient to travel with.

I’ve used this product on both my kids, I recommend it to anyone having a baby! The safe probe is awesome and it’s also compact and not bulky! 10/10

This is a great product. I absolutely hate doing a rectal temp on my babies and this helps to where you can't get it to far into them to hurt or make them to uncomfortable. It's a great brand that I trust as well!

Es un buen producto, solo se recomienda tener a la mano un convertidor para °C

I love the fact that the tip is so small. I was afraid to read my baby's temperature rectally. With this thermometer, I can do it fast and in the most accurate way.