What To Do If Your Baby Is Sick
Note: If your baby is sick, he is not interested in feeding, develops a rash, is vomiting, has watery diarrhea or cold symptoms, you should contact the pediatrician.
Other symptoms may also be signs of illness - for example, your baby isn't interested in being held, is more irritable or tired than usual, cries more weakly than usual, doesn't smile when a favorite toy is offered, or just doesn't seem to behave as usual. The best thing to do if you notice these signs is to contact your pediatrician and further describe your baby's symptoms to him or her.
Always be prpared
- Familiarize yourself with local emergency services in your area.
- Always have with you
- Pediatrician's phone number
- A copy of your child's insurance card
- A copy of your child's vaccination record
Because it might be difficult for you to remember numbers you need when you're worried about your baby, have them written down and available at all times.
When to Call Your Pediatrician
- Cuts that don't stop bleeding or appear to require stitches
- Poisoning
- Seizures
- Labored breathing
- Unresponsiveness
- Head injuries
- Problems moving an arm or leg
- Sudden lethargy or paralysis
- Choking
- Stiff neck
- Persistent vomiting
- Is irritable and cannot be comforted
- Severe headache or stomachache
- Skin rash other than diaper rash
- Fever that lasts more than 72 hours
- Fever that goes away for more than 24 hours then returns
- High fever (a rectal temperature above 100.4 F in newborns — younger than 3 months — and an oral or ear temperature above 102 F in older infants and children)
What is fever?
Temperatures above the following are generally considered fevers:
- Rectal - above 100.4 F
- Oral - above 99.5 F
- Axillary - above 99.0 F
- Tympanic - above 99.5 F (oral setting); above 100.5 F
Be prepared to answer questions
To help the medical staff understand what's happening with your baby and decide how best to treat the problem, be prepared to answer questions concerning:
- Your baby's symptoms. Why did you decide to call or come in to the doctor's office? How can the medical staff help you?
- Your baby's regular doctor. Who is or will be your baby's regular doctor? When is your baby's next appointment?
- Your baby's immunization history. Are your baby's immunization records readily available? You'll want this information in case your baby needs a tetanus shot or in case whooping cough is going around in your area.
- Changes in your baby's feeding and bowel movements. Have you noticed changes in eating or drinking patterns, in the number of wet diapers, or in the number and consistency of bowel movements?
- Changes in your baby's temperament. Has your baby ever acted like this before? What concerns do you have about how your baby is acting?
- Changes in your baby's temperature. Have you taken your baby's temperature? Does he or she have a fever? How long has it lasted?
- Recent illnesses your baby's been exposed to. Is anyone in your family ill, or has your baby been exposed to illness elsewhere?
- Home remedies and over-the-counter medications your baby is using. What treatment have you already tried? Have you given your baby any medication or home remedies? If so, what, how much and when? What is the name and phone number of your baby's pharmacy?
- Any allergies your baby has. Does your baby have any allergies to medications or foods? Have you been told to avoid any specific medications for your child?
Knowing the answers to these important questions will save you and your doctor time — and stress — during an emergency situation.
Safely Treating a Fever
After talking to your pediatrician, there are some steps you can take to help bring fever down:
Medication: Follow your pediatrician's advice concerning infant fever medications
Fluids: Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids. Doing this will help prevent dehydration and cool the body. Younger babies should be offered water or a feeding. Older children can be given diluted fruit juice. Avoid soda and liquids with caffeine.
Warmth: Sometimes children with fever also get the chills. Use a blanket for warmth and hold your baby for extra warmth and comfort. Remember not to put your baby in the crib with a blanket.
Cool off: Keep your child at rest in loose, light cotton clothing, and give a lukewarm (slightly warmer than room temperature) sponge bath to help lower body temperature.
Remember, it's always important to monitor your baby closely. Whenever you're in doubt, call your pediatrician.
As a general rule, trust your intuition. If you think you should call the doctor, call. If you think you should take your baby to the emergency room, do it. When it comes to your baby's health, the old adage "Better safe than sorry" is true.
|
