Calling A Doctor To Seek Medical Treatment for Your Baby
When To call The Doctor
You may be unsure when to call the doctor or when to seek medical treatment for your baby. Knowing what to watch out for may help you relax a little. Be alert to the symptoms listed below. If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, call your pediatrician immediately.
- Skin looks blue around baby’s mouth or on her body.
- Baby is struggling to breathe, or she breathes more than 50 breaths a minute.
- Skin or whites of her eyes look yellow.
- Soft spot on her head sinks or bulges.
- She is lethargic.
- She cries and is inconsolable, or her crying is high-pitched and frequent.
- Baby has fewer than six wet diapers a day.
- She is shaking and extremely irritable.
- She has a convulsion.
- She vomits forcefully (vomit travels several inches—not spitting up or dribbling) or repeatedly.
- She refuses two feedings in a row.
- She has a rash that causes her discomfort.
- Her temperature is higher than 100F (37.7C) or lower than 96F(35.5C).
- She has persistent diarrhea.
- There is blood in her urine or her stool.
- There is an unusual discharge from her eyes, navel or genitals.
- She has white patches in her mouth (it could be thrush, which isn’t serious but can make her very uncomfortable).