When to Take the Baby to the Doctor

There are six common ailments that may affect your newborn baby. These ailments include: fever, respiratory illnesses, ear infections, diarrhea & vomiting, constipation, and rashes. Below is information related to each ailment and indicators when you should take your child to the doctor.

Fever:

• Fever is the body’s normal response to infection and is designed to help fight the infection.
• Body temperatures may fluctuate between 99º and 100º depending on activity and how warm the baby is dressed. These temperatures are considered normal when factoring in activity and dressing warm.
• Temperatures reaching over 100º are recognized as a fever.
• If fevers help fight infection, some people argue whether you should attempt to lower them or not.
• Reducing the fever may be possible by giving your child a lukewarm bath or sponge bath. Acetaminophen (dosage obtained from pharmacist) may also help reduce the fever
• Here are symptoms, if combined with fever, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
  – Infant younger than two months old
  – Fever over 100.4ºF
  – Fever not responding to usual measures
  – Fever plus a rash
  – Fever for longer than two to three days

Respiratory Illnesses:

• The common cold is most infants’ first illness.
• Colds are caused by viruses caught from others (not by fresh air or cool weather).
• A cold can take a week to ten days to run its course.
• Here are symptoms, if combined with a cold, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
  – Coughing to the point of vomiting
  – A deep chest cough
  – Labored or rapid breathing
  – Wheezing
  – Cold lasting longer than two weeks
  – Fever developing several days after a cold begins
  – Difficulty breathing

Ear Infections:

• Ear infections are one of the most common reasons for doctor visits.
• 66% of children have had an ear infection by the age of two.
• Acetaminophen (baby dosage obtained from pharmacist) may provide relief and help the baby rest better.
• Here are symptoms, if combined with ear infections, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
  – Sleeplessness several days after cold begins
  – Repeated vomiting
  – Persistent fever / irritability after two days of treatment
  – Inconsolable crying
  – Redness or swelling behind the ear
  – History of ear infections
  – Pulling or tugging at ear

Diarrhea & Vomiting:

• Most illnesses that result in vomiting or diarrhea are caused by viruses.
• Bacteria, parasites, dietary changes or medications may also be responsible.
• Recovery for babies may take several days.
• The main concern is avoiding dehydration. Drink lots of liquids.
• Here are symptoms, if combined with diarrhea or vomiting, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
  – High fever. Unable to retain clear liquids
  – Signs of dehydration
  – Bloody stools
  – Bright yellow or green vomit
  – Diarrhea lasting longer than seven days

Constipation:

• Formula-fed babies tend to have drier, less frequent stools than breastfed babies.
• Even if your baby strains to pass a stool, he may not be constipated.
• Curling the knees up against the baby’s chest may help.
• Adding water or juice to the diet or fruits and vegetables for older babies can make stools less dry.
• Never give an infant an enema or a laxative unless your doctor advises this.
• Here are symptoms, if combined with constipation, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
  – Infant feeding poorly or vomiting
  – Abdominal swelling
  – Infant in pain
  – Blood in the stool
  – Home remedies don’t help

Rashes:

• Rashes in the diaper area are fairly common.
• Keeping the diaper area clean and dry is the key to treatment.
• Here are symptoms, if combined with rashes, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
  – Fever
  – Child acts sick
  – Blisters or open sores
  – Rash doesn’t respond to simple measures in – few days
  – Painful rash

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Source:
“Six Common Ailments and How to Handle them,” Lamaze Baby, Spring 2001.

Last updated: 12/2006