If you are looking for the best bath thermometer for babies and children’s bath time, I’ve got 3 of the best bath thermometers listed below. A bath thermometer is important for babies and toddlers because it tells the adult immediately if the water is too hot (or too cold), without the need for constant elbow dipping.
I’ll also look at what makes the best bath thermometer, what features to look out for, and why it’s important to use a bath thermometer, especially for babies and children under the age of 4.
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Table of Contents
Best Bath Thermometer (UK Top 3)
Here’s 3 of the best bath thermometers for babies and small children.
All 3 bath thermometers have different features and different price points.
As well as the table below, I’ll also go through the pros and cons of the different benefits and features of bath thermometers, and what makes the best bath thermometer for a child’s bath.
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The Elbow Test
In times gone by, bath water temperature would be tested by an adult rolling up their sleeve, and dunking their elbow into the water.
The reason why the elbow test is so good is because the nerve in the elbow (called the ulnar nerve) is very senstive to temperature. The back of the hand is also very sensitive to temperature, and no doubt at some point, you will have squirted baby milk on the back of your hand to test the temperature.
Of course, you can still roll your sleeves up now to test the temperature of your childs bath using your elbow, but a digital bath thermometer gives you a much more accurate reading of bath water temperature.
What To Look For In A Bath Thermometer
Let’s remember first and foremost what a bath thermometer is there for.
It’s a safety device to prevent scalding or prevent a baby or toddler from being in water that is too hot.
Remember, older children and adults can withstand higher temperatures of water. As we get older (usually from the ages of 4-5), we develop a temperature reflex where we automatically pull a body part away from things that are too hot – almost in an instant. Babies and younger children don’t have this reflex.
And that is why it is absolutely essential that you use a device like a baby bath thermometer, which will warn you when the water is too hot, and in some cases, when it gets too cold.
So at the very minimum, a bath thermometer should clearly display the current temperature of the water, which all the ones in the list above do.
Going one step further though, the best bath thermometers will alarm either visually or audibly, or both, when the water reaches a threshold that is too high or too low.
The top 3 bath thermometers in the best bath thermometer table above all alarm either visually through lights on the unit.
Mould And Dirt Care
With all floating thermometers, the biggest problem will be build up of mould and dirt in holes and crevices.
It’s important these bath thermometers are dried after use, or at the very least, cleaned periodically.
If you do see a build-up of dirt, grime or mould, the best way to clean them is to use an old toothbrush with some soap and warm water.
What Temperature Should A Bath be For Babies And Toddlers?
The temperature of the water should be consistent with our natural body temperature – between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius.
It should be warm, and not hot.
The NHS have a great page with additional information on bath time for babies.
Can A Baby Have A Bath In A Regular Sized Bath?
For safety reasons, it’s not ideal for a baby to have a bath in a full sized bath, unless a baby bath seat is used.
Of course, a baby cannot support themselves in their first few months of life.
Either a baby bath seat or a devoted baby bath is recommended instead.
How Much Water Should Be In The Bath?
For a baby, in a dedicated baby bath, there should only be a few inches of water in the bottom – enough for you to bathe them and gently wash them.
For toddlers and small children, hip height when they are sat up in the bath is the recommended amount.
Never Leave A Child Unattended In A Bath – The Statistics
It goes without saying that you should never leave a small child unattended in the bath.
Even just nipping into another bedroom to get a towel, or take a phone call, is a huge risk.
According to UK statistics, 13 children under the age of 5, on average, die EVERY YEAR through drowning in a bath.
A further 8 require hospital treatment for water intake and water based events in a bath.
Make Bath Time Even Safer
As a parent (and parent myself), our number one aim is always to make sure our babies, toddlers and children are safe.
So, another recommended safety product for bath time is non-slip mats that sit at the bottom of a bath (great for adults too, especially if they need a shower aid).
For babies, always use a baby bath seat if they are in a full sized bath, but much better from a safety perspective, is a dedicated baby bath, which is essentially a small plastic box that is moulded to seat a baby in a semi upright position with no danger of them slipping to the bottom due to the shape and size of the bath.
Questions & Comments
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As always, I’m always keen to hear your thoughts, questions and comments on my articles.
Just drop me a line below!
Stay Safe. Stay Secure.
