Newborn Baby: When to Call the Doctor

During your baby’s first year, you will make many trips to the pediatrician’s office. Most of these visits are routine, but there may be times when your baby needs immediate medical attention. Questions about minor problems such as a small cough, occasional diarrhea and fussiness can usually wait until normal office hours, but if your baby is acting unusually do not hesitate to call your doctor immediately. Trust your instincts, because they are usually right.

It is very important to get medical advice from your doctor because something as simple as diarrhea may turn into a dangerous condition. Before your baby is born, be sure to find out your doctor’s office hours, on-call hours, and how to deal with an afterhours emergency. This will make it easier to deal with any problems that may come up.

Be Prepared

Before calling your doctor, make sure to have a pen and paper to write down any instructions he or she might give. When you call, have the following information on hand:

• Your baby’s immunization records.
• The names and doses of any medications – prescription and over-the-counter – your baby takes.
• Any medical problems your baby may have.
• His or her temperature.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

If you suspect your baby may be getting ill, call your doctor’s office, especially if your baby displays any of the following behaviors:

• Refuses to feed for multiple feedings in a row.
• Has diarrhea and vomits more than usual.
• Has a cold that does not improve, or that gets worse.
• Has a rash.
• Has signs of dehydration (decreased number of wet diapers – should have 6 to 8 per day – does not shed tears when crying, has sunken eyes or the soft spot on the top of his or her head has sunken).
• Has ear drainage.
• Will not stop crying.

Immediate Medical Attention

If your baby exhibits severe medical symptoms get medical attention immediately. Severe symptoms include:

• Blood in his or her vomit or stool.
• Difficulty breathing.
• A seizure.
• Any type of poisoning.
• Bleeding that you cannot stop.
• Not able to move.
• A rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
• Yellow skin or eyes.
• Sleeps more than usual or will not wake up.
• Limpness.

If you are extremely concerned about your baby, call your doctor and take your baby to the emergency room.