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Sick baby? When to seek medical attention

When a healthy baby gets sick, there's no reason to panic. Understand when to call the doctor and when to seek emergency care for your baby.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Every parent wants a healthy baby, but occasional infections and fevers are inevitable. Even parents who have plenty of experience with sick babies can have a tough time distinguishing normal fussiness and mild illnesses from more-serious problems. Here's when to contact the doctor — and when to seek emergency care — for a sick baby.

When to contact your baby's doctor

An occasional illness is usually nothing to worry about in an otherwise healthy baby — but sometimes it's best to contact the doctor. Look for these signs and symptoms:

  • Changes in appetite. If your baby refuses several feedings in a row or eats poorly, contact the doctor.
  • Changes in mood. If your baby is lethargic or unusually difficult to rouse, tell the doctor right away. Also let the doctor know if your baby is persistently irritable or has inconsolable crying jags.
  • Tender navel or penis. Contact the doctor if your baby's umbilical area or penis suddenly becomes red or starts to ooze or bleed.
  • Fever. Mild fevers are common and usually harmless, but keep an eye on the thermometer. If your baby is younger than age 3 months, contact the doctor for any fever. If your baby is age 3 to 6 months and has a temperature up to 102 F (38.9 C) and seems unusually irritable, lethargic or uncomfortable, or has a temperature higher than 102 F (38.9 C), contact the doctor. Also, if your baby is age 6 to 24 months and has a temperature higher than 102 F (38.9 C) that lasts longer than one day but shows no other signs or symptoms, contact the doctor. If your baby also has other signs or symptoms, such as a cold, cough or diarrhea, you might contact the doctor sooner based on their severity.
  • Diarrhea. Contact the doctor if your baby's stools are especially loose or watery.
  • Vomiting. Occasional spitting up is normal. Contact the doctor if your baby vomits forcefully after feedings, vomits for more than 12 hours, or also has diarrhea or a fever.
  • Dehydration. Contact the doctor if your baby doesn't wet a diaper for six hours or longer, the soft spot on top of your baby's head seems to sink, or your baby cries without tears or has a dry mouth without saliva.
  • Constipation. If your baby has fewer bowel movements than usual for a few days, contact the doctor.
  • Colds. Contact the doctor if your baby has a cold that interferes with his or her breathing, lasts longer than two weeks, or is accompanied by severe coughing.
  • Ear trouble. Contact the doctor if your baby doesn't respond normally to sounds.
  • Rash. Contact the doctor if a rash covers a large area, appears infected or if your baby suddenly develops an unexplained rash — especially if the rash is accompanied by a fever, sore throat or diarrhea.
  • Eye discharge. If one or both eyes are pink, red or leaking mucus, contact the doctor.

Trust your instincts. If you think you should contact the doctor, go ahead. After hours, you may be able to use a 24-hour nurse line offered through the doctor's office, clinic or your health insurance company.

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References
  1. Jana LA, et al. Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth To Reality. 2nd ed. Elk Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics. 2011:1.
  2. When to call the baby's doctor: Print-and-go guide. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/when-call-baby-doctor.pdf. Accessed Nov. 26, 2012.
  3. Shelov SP, et al. Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, Birth to Age 5. 4th ed. New York, N.Y.: Bantam; 2004:138.
  4. Schmitt BD. Pediatric Telephone Protocols. 13th ed. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2011:1.
  5. Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1608/0.html. Accessed Nov. 26, 2012.
  6. Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 26, 2012
PR00022 Dec. 18, 2012

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