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When your baby is sick, it can be difficult to know when it is appropriate to call
the doctor. You don’t want to overreact, but you don’t want to dismiss it,
either. Some symptoms are harmless, while others need immediate attention. The
following are general guidelines on when to call the doctor:
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Fever - An infant younger than 3 months old with any fever should be seen by a doctor.
An older baby that has a fever but otherwise appears completely well should be observed
for a few days. Warning signs to look for include lethargic behavior, poor eye contact
and interaction, a stiff neck, or the baby appears to be in pain.
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Vomiting or diarrhea that lasts more than a few hours. This can lead to dehydration,
which is a serious condition. Signs of dehydration include dry mouth and lips, dry skin,
decreased urination, no tears, weight loss and a sunken soft spot (on an infant). Call
the doctor immediately at any signs of dehydration.
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Not eating for more than a day.
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Persistent cough or wheezing.
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Ear pain or drainage from ear.
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Problems swallowing.
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Jaundice - A yellow color in the whites of the eyes or skin.
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A cough or cold that persists for several days, gets worse or is
accompanied by a fever.
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Behavioral changes such as extreme sleepiness or lethargy, unusual excitement or relentless
crying
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Call the doctor immediately if the baby exhibits any of the following:
• Profuse bleeding
• Seizures
• Head injury with loss of consciousness or vomiting
• Blood in urine
• Bloody diarrhea
• Inability to move or sudden lack of energy
• Difficulty breathing
• High fever
When in doubt, call your doctor. Give a detailed report of your baby’s condition/temperature,
past medical problems, differences you notice in the baby, length of time the problem has existed,
and any other details you think are important.
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