Sick baby? When to Seek Medical Attention

When it comes to caring for a baby, there are so many factors to keep track of, from sleeping habits to feeding schedules. Making things even more complicated is the fact that the scale of what’s appropriate and what’s concerning varies greatly from one child to the next. So, when it comes to illnesses, how can you pinpoint the difference between expected fussiness or minor sickness to something more serious? Knowing when it’s time to contact the pediatrician, or potentially head to the emergency room, can be complicated. Here are some helpful tips to help you decide if it’s time to seek medical attention.

Contacting the pediatrician

If your child is otherwise healthy, mild sniffles or a little extra grumpiness here and there are nothing to get concerned over. Other times, it’s safest to consult the doctor for their opinion. Some of the symptoms that can mean it’s time to pick up the phone include:

·        Loss or disinterest in appetite

·        Unusual drowsiness (difficult to wake, excessively sleepy, floppy)

·        Inconsolable or crying more than usual for an extended period

·        Tenderness in the umbilical area or groin, including redness, oozing or bleeding

·        Diarrhea, including loose or watery stools

·        Forceful vomiting (not to be confused with occasional spit-up, which flows easily).

·        Dehydration, dry mouth or a lack of wet diapers

·        The soft spot on the top of baby’s head appears sunken in

·        Constipation or struggling with bowel movements

·        Colds that interfere with regular breathing, or nasal mucus lasting longer than 10 days

·        Ear pain

·        A cough lasting longer than a week

·        Unexplained rash, especially those accompanied by a fever or appearing infected

·        Eye discharge, red eyes or mucus leaking from eyes

If you’re unsure about whether to contact the doctor, it’s safest to get in touch. There may also be a 24-hour nurse line you can call through your health care provider or insurance to assist with general questions and concerns.

When to call about fever

Many people wonder how to handle fever in babies. Other factors like additional symptoms or unusual behavior can alter these guidelines, but generally, when your child has a fever, a good rule of thumb by age is:

·        Under three months: Contact the pediatrician for any baby fever.

·        From six to 24 months: Temperature higher than 102 F, lasting longer than one day (if no other symptoms are present). If combined with symptoms, reach out sooner depending on the severity.

·        For any fever lasting three days or longer, always contact the doctor.

If you’re wondering how to care for your child with a fever, offering extra fluids, removing extra layers of clothing and giving them a lukewarm bath are a good place to start.

When it’s time for emergency pediatric care

Sometimes, emergency care is necessary. If your baby has a fever accompanied by a seizure, bring them in right away. In these additional instances, it’s best to seek out immediate medical attention for babies, newborn or otherwise:

·        Uncontrollable bleeding

·        Poisoning

·        Seizures of all types

·        Difficulty breathing

·        Head injuries leading to changes in consciousness, confusion, severe headaches or vomiting

·        Deep cuts, burns and smoke inhalation

·        Discoloration in the skin or lips

·        Intense pain that’s persistent or worsens

·        Near drowning incidents

·        Severe mouth or facial injuries

The best time to prepare for an emergency is before one happens. As a 24/7/365 emergency room with world-class pediatricians and a patient-centric experience, we recommend keeping the Laredo Emergency Room phone number and address written down in an easily accessible place in case your baby needs emergency care.

What should I do if I have to take my baby to the emergency room?

Having the answers ready to a few basic questions can help streamline the process so that your baby can receive care as quickly as possible. Questions you should expect to be asked:

·        The symptoms: Which signs and symptoms caused you to seek emergency care?

·        Medical history: Be prepared to give information about known allergies, immunization records, chronic conditions, and any pertinent details from your pregnancy and/or the baby’s birth.

·        Appetite and bowel movements: Note any changes to your baby’s eating and drinking, wet and/or dirty diapers, etc.

·        Children with a fever: Especially in the case of newborn fever, maintain specific notes on their temperature, including how you took it and what time(s).

·        Medications: If you’ve tried any at-home remedies, over-the-counter or prescribed medications, be sure to let us know. Bring the bottle if possible.

·        Exposures: If there’s an illness going around in your household or at the baby’s child care center, mention it. Also inform us of any recent travel.

In an emergency, every second counts. Being as prepared as possible will save time and allow your child to receive immediate care. We can help your baby feel better and comfortable right away, so rest assured that if you ever find yourself in a situation where emergency pediatric care is necessary, we’re here to help you and your family.

‍