This smart thermometer keeps baby healthy

The Kinsa Ear Thermometer adds smarts to an important basic device for new parents. I decided to try it out with my own son, Idris.

The Kinsa app (which works with iOS and Android devices) features a simple but flexible layout. You can add multiple profiles to track the health of all your kids.

The ear thermometer is short enough, and provides readings quickly enough, to keep kids comfortable. My son slept through most of his readings.

Kinsa sends the readings to your app, so you can compare results with previous patterns. You can also record various symptoms that accompany particular temperatures.

Kinsa gets a reading in about a second, so even with squirmy kids, it's pretty easy to get a temperature quickly.

If the app isn't on while taking the temperature, Kinsa saves time-stamped readings and sends them when the app is turned on. Then you can assign them to different children, or delete them.

Kinsa is primarily used as an ear thermometer, but in certain cases (such as with children prone to ear infections), it can be used in other places.

You can clean Kinsa with a cotton swab or gauze and rubbing alcohol.

Once clean, the cap keeps the sensitive probe from damage or contamination.

The Kinsa Ear Thermometer is available online and at various retail outlets for $60 (about £41 or AU$83).