Many new parents are concerned they won't know when their baby is sick enough to call the doctor. It is hard to know what is wrong and how serious it is when the patient can't tell you; but don't worry, within the first week after birth, you'll become familiar with your baby's personality and temperament and be able to distinguish when he or she is just not feeling well.
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The following are some symptoms and signs that your baby may be ill and a call or visit to the doctor is warranted. Many of these are not necessarily cause for concern by themselves, but when more than one symptom is present, you should consult your health care provider:
Fever
A fever is a clear sign that your baby is fighting infection; however, a fever alone is not necessarily a reason to worry. If your baby has a low fever but appears well and happy otherwise, watch her for 24 hours to see if the fever subsides. However, if your child has a fever and is listless, develops a rash, or has other symptoms, call the doctor. In general, if your baby is younger than 3 months old and has a rectal temperature of higher than 100.6 F, or if your baby is 3 to 6 months old and has a rectal temperature of 101 F, call the doctor.
Abnormal Digestion
If your baby has three or more episodes of vomiting or diarrhea, has fewer than four wet diapers in 24 hours, or has blood in her vomit or stool, it's time to call the doctor. If your baby has ingested any medication, household product, or foreign object, call the doctor.
Temperament and Mood
This is a very subjective category as many babies are moody by nature and crying is just part of the package. You'll need to rely on your knowledge of your baby's personality and normal behavior. If you notice that your baby is suddenly crying more for no apparent reason, her cries are weak or unusually high-pitched, and you cannot calm her, something may be wrong. Conversely, if your baby cries significantly less than usual and is abnormally inactive, unresponsive or listless, a call the doctor is in order.
Breathing
Your baby may regularly grunt, breath rapidly, or make other strange respiratory noises - particularly while he or she is sleeping. But if you notice a distinct change, if his or her breathing becomes labored, is unusually rapid, or he or she begins heaving or turning pale or blue, call the doctor immediately.
Appetite
Your baby's appetite will probably vary from day to day, and this is normal; however, if you notice your baby is consistently not eating as usual, tires easily from sucking or loses interest in feeding, she may be ill. Remember that babies cannot go for long periods without food or water without becoming dehydrated.
Other Symptoms
If your baby has swollen glands in her neck or abdomen, is expelling green mucus from her nose, has a prolonged cough, her soft spot bulges outward, or if she leans forward limply and drools, you should call the doctor. And if any of these symptoms is accompanied by a fever, seek immediate medical attention.
The following are emergency situations for which you should seek immediate medical attention:
Bleeding that cannot be stopped
Poisoning
Seizures
Difficulty breathing
Head injury
Loss of consciousness
Wound deep enough that it may require stitches
Severe burns
Suspected bone fracture
Animal bite
If you do call the doctor, have the following information handy to help the nurse or doctor assess your child's condition:
What are the child's symptoms?
When did the symptoms begin?
What is the child's rectal temperature?
Is the child on any medication? If so, what medication, at what dosage, and when was it last administered?
All information on ParentingWeekly is for educational purposes only. The place to get medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment is your health care provider. If you have personal concerns about your health or the health of your baby, we recommend that you consult with your health care provider at once. ParentingWeekly respects your privacy and promises to keep any information you give to us confidential. Please e-mail any questions regarding our site to: