The bath aisle is overflowing with accessories. The thermometer is one of them. Is it worth having, and which one should you choose? Here is an answer based on real-life use.
The right temperature, and why it matters
The widely accepted reference for a young baby’s bath is around 37 °C. A range of 36 to 37 °C is generally given.
This precision isn’t fussiness. A young baby’s skin is thin and their body surface is proportionally large. They get cold, and get scalded, more quickly than an adult.
The real risk: scalding
Household burns in young children are often caused by hot tap water. Water at 60 °C scalds in a few seconds.
In fact, the most effective measure isn’t the thermometer. It is turning down the water heater or fitting a thermostatic mixer tap.
Is your elbow enough?
The elbow or wrist test gives you a rough idea. It tells you whether the water is too hot or too cold.
It can’t tell 37 °C from 39 °C. That difference is barely noticeable by hand, yet already uncomfortable for a newborn.
What a thermometer really adds
It is mainly useful in two situations. The first: the early weeks, when you have no reference points yet. The second: when several adults take turns at bath time and don’t have the same sensitivity.
After a few months, many parents do without one. It is a calibration aid, not a permanent piece of kit.
Types of thermometer
The classic floating thermometer
Simple, battery-free and often the most durable. Check that it has no detachable parts that could be swallowed.
The digital thermometer
Quicker, clearer reading. It relies on a battery, whose compartment must be screwed shut and watertight. A battery compartment that can be opened is a deal-breaker.
The thermometer built into the bathtub
This is the most minimal option: nothing to put away, nothing to lose. Our foldable bathtub on a stand has a built-in thermometer, so there is no extra floating object to add.
What to avoid
- Toy thermometers full of nooks and crannies that are hard to dry.
- Models that change colour without showing a number.
- Connected gadgets that add an app for a trivial piece of information.
An object that stays damp develops mould inside. That is the main flaw of hollow bath toys.
What matters more than the thermometer
Supervision remains the only protection that nothing can replace. We go into this in our article on the official drowning figures.
The height of the bathtub matters too. An adult without back pain supervises better and for longer. Our baby bathtub comparison looks at these set-ups, and our installation guide covers assembly.
Finally, the length of the bath matters more than a tenth of a degree. Five to ten minutes is enough for a young baby.
Key takeaways
- Around 37 °C is still the reference for a young baby’s bath.
- A thermometer is useful at the start and when several adults take turns.
- A built-in thermometer means one less accessory to dry.
- Turning down the water heater protects better than a thermometer.
To find out more about the bath-time routine, read our article on bathing your baby. Our FAQ covers care and cleaning.
