Maybe your pediatrician’s number is already on speed dial, or maybe you’re more of the wait-and-see type, but when you have a newborn, some symptoms need to have you on the phone with the doctor immediately.
1. A high fever
For newborns under two months of age, any temperature above 100.5 is cause for worry, said Dr. John La Count, a pediatrician at St. Elizabeth Physicians’ Florence office. Call the doctor right away in those instances so he or she can order lab work to check for infections your baby might have contracted during delivery.
“There is a lot of concern about kids under two months of age because they haven’t been immunized yet,” he said.
For babies two months old to 15 months old with a temperature higher than 101.5 for up to 24 hours, call the doctor to assure no additional intervention is required. The child should be alert, responsive and not in distress.
For children over two years old who are fully immunized, a temperature under 103 generally can wait 24 to 48 hours if the child is alert, responsive and taking fluids adequately.
Always look at your child’s skin for color changes and to assure no rash is present. If a rash is present with a fever, call the doctor immediately.
2. Difficulty breathing
When babies are having trouble breathing, it can increase their respiratory and heart rates to scary levels. The problem is, they can’t keep up that pace forever; they’ll wear themselves out.
A respiratory rate in a newborn should be around 30 breaths per minute, La Count said.
3. Difficulty eating
If your baby is pushing away the breast or the bottle for several feedings in a row, it could be an indication of something serious.
4. A decrease in the number of wet or soiled diapers
Newborns should have a wet diaper every two to three hours and a soiled diaper at least a couple of times a day, La Count said: “If those things are changing, that becomes a real concern.”
5. No moisture in the eyes or mouth, or a change in coloring
Although newborns usually don’t cry tears when they’re that young, you should still be able to see moisture in their eyes, and in their mouths, as well. If you don’t see any moisture, or if your baby’s coloring looks off to you, call the doctor.
6. Bright-red or bright-green vomiting, or projectile vomiting
Any vomit that’s bright in color means your baby needs medical attention. Also, projectile vomiting, or vomiting that covers a three- to four-foot distance, often is evidence of a blockage in the lower portion of the stomach that will require a pediatrician’s care.
7. Blood in the stool
If you see blood in your baby’s diaper, it could be normal, but just to be sure ““ and because you probably wouldn’t get any sleep that night otherwise ““ go ahead and call your doctor.
8. A sunken or bulging fontanel
A sunken fontanel (the space between the bones of the skull, usually toward the front of the skull) could indicate your baby is dehydrated. A bulging fontanel could indicate increased fluid around the brain.
9. Active bleeding/cuts
When cuts occur, there will be blood. Stopping the bleeding usually isn’t difficult. First, wash the wound with soap and water. Then, apply direct pressure for five minutes. At that point, look at the wound edges; if it is gaping open, resumes bleeding or is extremely deep, call your doctor.
10. Dangerous ingestions
When a child ingests either poisonous things or medicines not meant for them, rather than calling your doctor first, you should call the Drug and Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222.
