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5 Best Pediatric Stethoscopes for Infants and Babies (2023)

by | Updated: Jan 28, 2023

Pediatric patients have different needs than adult patients, which is why having a stethoscope specifically-designed for pediatric patients is important. It will make them more comfortable, and allow you to assess the patient properly. These are 5 of the best pediatric stethoscopes available to help you provide superior patient care.

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Our Top Recommended Pediatric Stethoscopes for Kids:

Keep reading for our more detailed reviews of the best pediatric stethoscopes for nurses, Respiratory Therapists, doctors, and other medical professionals. You can learn more about our favorites below.

Best Pediatric Stethoscopes for Nurses and Healthcare Workers:

The 3M Littmann 2122 Classic II Pediatric Stethoscope was designed with patient comfort in mind. All materials are latex-free, so even the patients with the most sensitive skin won’t have a reaction to it. The non-chill rim and diaphragm won’t surprise them when you place it on their skin, leading to fewer uncomfortable cries that can often interfere with patient assessment.

It’s also designed with your comfort in mind. The headset is angled so that it fits perfectly inside of the ear canal, virtually eliminating exterior noises.

The 28-inch tubing is the ideal size to lay across the back of the neck, and the tubing is also flexible so that it bends nicely without slipping off. The eartips are soft and mold to the ear canal so they create a seal without being painful in the ear.

In terms of performance, this stethoscope offers clear sound so you are able to assess even the most difficult patients. Since the tubing doesn’t rub together and the eartips provide a nice seal, there is less opportunity for exterior noises to interfere with patient assessment. The chestpiece is also dual-sided and can easily be switched from high-frequency to low-frequency sounds.

Top Features:

  • Latex and phthalate-free
  • Non-chill rim and diaphragm
  • Angled headset with soft-sealing eartips
  • Flexible, 28-inch tubing
  • Dual-sided chestpiece for high and low-frequency sounds

If you’re looking for durability in a stethoscope, this MDF MD One Dual Head Infant-Neonatal Stethoscope is the one for you. Crafted from a combination of stainless steel and PVC tubing, everything about this stethoscope is sturdy and built-to-last. The PVC tubing is also latex-free and insulated so it offers superior sound quality and cancels out exterior noises that may interfere with patient assessment.

The chestpiece on this stethoscope is ideal for assessing even the youngest, most fragile patients. A non-chill rim keeps the patient comfortable while the deep bell amplifies even the lowest-frequency sounds.

This is crucial when assessing the most critical patients if you work in neonatal intensive care, the emergency room, or a cardiac-care setting. ComfortSeal eartips fit snuggly in the ear canal- offering comfort to you and allowing you to better assess your patients.

The look of this stethoscope is sleek and it comes in three bright colors to help cheer up your young patients, including pastel blue, pink, and purple. The stainless steel gives the entire stethoscope a professional appearance that is ideal for any office or hospital setting. An ID tag is also included for added convenience.

Top Features:

  • Durable stainless steel construction
  • PVC tubing is latex-free and insulated
  • Deep bell makes low-frequency sounds clear
  • Three fun color choices- blue, pink, and purple
  • ID tag clips to stethoscope for convenience

This ADC Adscope Adimals 618 Pediatric Stethoscope is sure to bring a smile to the faces of your youngest patients. The stethoscope comes with 7 adorable interchangeable chestpieces that feature cuddly animals like a panda bear, frog, koala bear, deer, monkey, tiger, and bear. These chestpieces easily snap on when you want to change them out, and you have enough options for each day of the week so you’ll never get bored. They can also be cleaned easier since they are removable.

The chestpiece is one-sided, but can be switched quickly between high and low frequency sounds thanks to the tunable diaphragm.

This is particularly important when assessing the most critical patients, where low frequency sounds may be missed with diaphragms that aren’t adjustable. The single tube design also helps eliminate outside noises that may interfere when you are listening for low frequency sounds.

In terms of construction, this stethoscope is very durable. The PVC tubing is phthalate and latex-free, and while it is flexible, it’s also built to withstand the constant wear and tear consistent with daily use in a medical setting. If anything breaks, it’s backed by a Lifetime Warranty, with free replacements available on consumable parts like the diaphragm and eartips.

Top Features:

  • Interchangeable animal-face chestpieces
  • Easy-to-clean chestpiece
  • Diaphragm is easy to tune
  • Flexible PVC tubing
  • Lifetime Warranty and free replacements on consumable parts

A stethoscope that offers just about anything you could want or need, this ADC Adscope 605 Infant Stethoscope is a worthwhile investment. There are so many great benefits to owning this stethoscope, including excellent acoustics, a non-chill diaphragm, and free replacement parts. It’s also offered in 6 great colors, including basic black and a subtle pale pink.

The size is perfect for infant patients, with the diaphragm measuring 1 1/8″ wide. While it’s made from durable stainless still, it does feature a non-chill rim and bell for patient comfort. The makeup of the diaphragm and bell also provide superior sound quality so you can assess even the most difficult cases.

The single tube design and silicone eartips also aid in creating better acoustics. All parts are backed by a Lifetime Warranty, with many parts being replaced for free, including diaphragms and eartips. Two extra pairs of silicone eartips are already included with the purchase of a stethoscope, but more can be ordered for free. A handy storage pouch and scope ID tag are also included when you purchase this stethoscope. The storage pouch keeps your stethoscope safe when not in use.

Top Features:

  • Non-chill diaphragm for patient comfort
  • Diaphragm is the ideal size for infant patients
  • Durable stainless steel construction
  • Extra eartips, storage case, and ID tag are included
  • Lifetime Warranty and free replacement on consumable parts

Lightweight yet durable best describes this Ultrascope Pediatric Stethoscope. It’s made out of strong stainless steel and PVC tubing, but it weighs in at just 5.8 ounces. This allows you to comfortably wear it around your neck without it causing pain or irritation, even if you wear it during your entire shift. It’s also the ideal length when wearing around the neck at nearly 30 inches.

The diaphragm is smaller and is meant to be used on patients between 5 lbs and 45 lbs. This is ideal for most pediatric patients between the ages of one month and 6 years.

Since the stethoscope is so sturdy, you should get many years of use out of it. This makes it a worthwhile investment, especially for those who use their stethoscope frequently throughout the day.

The tubing is latex-free so you don’t have to worry about it causing an allergic reaction for either yourself or your patients. The PVC tubing is thick and insulated, so the acoustics are excellent. This is a very important feature for those who work with patients in critical care settings, where the slightest change in patient status needs to be heard.

Top Features:

  • Lightweight construction feels comfortable around the neck
  • Small diaphragm for young patients
  • Latex-free tubing for patients with sensitive skin
  • Tubing is insulated for superior sound quality
  • Lifetime Warranty with extra eartips included with purchase

Why Use a Pediatric Stethoscope?

Pediatric patients require a special type of stethoscope in order to be assessed properly and to feel comfortable throughout the examination. Stethoscopes for pediatric patients should include many key features, such as:

  • A non-chill rim
  • Latex-free tubing
  • A tunable diaphragm
  • A smaller diaphragm
  • Fun designs or colors

In order for the user to feel comfortable, some important features to look for include:

  • Flexible tubing of a good length
  • Lightweight materials
  • Tubing free of latex and phthalates
  • Ergonomic headset
  • Comfortable eartips
  • Lifetime Warranty and free replacement parts

Using this criteria, you should easily be able to find a high-quality pediatric stethoscope to fit your needs.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it. The next time you are looking for a stethoscope for pediatric patients, consider the great options that we have listed here. They will help you better assess patients and give them the most accurate diagnosis and the best possible care.

Your comfort is just as important as your patient’s, so you want to make sure the stethoscope you purchase is lightweight, durable, and easy-to-use. All of these stethoscopes have those crucial features, and more, so you will be able to properly assess and treat your patients more efficiently. Thank you so much for reading and as always, breathe easy my friend.

Written by:

John Landry, BS, RRT

John Landry is a registered respiratory therapist from Memphis, TN, and has a bachelor's degree in kinesiology. He enjoys using evidence-based research to help others breathe easier and live a healthier life.