How to Spot Signs of Sickness in Newborns

Having a sick baby is no fun for any parent. The sooner that you can spot the signs of sickness in your newborn, the quicker you can treat the problem. Follow these steps to determine whether or not your newborn is sick.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. The most noticeable sign of sickness in a newborn is the lack of appetite. If something is wrong, babies will usually stop eating and refuse any food. Projectile or forceful vomiting is also another reason to be concerned.
2. Your newborn's behavior is another indicator of sickness. Is he more tired than usual? Is he very sleepy and hard to wake up? Also an extremely irritable or inconsolable baby is also a sign of sickness. If any of these symptoms persist for a longer amount of time than usual, then you should be concerned.
3. Take the baby's temperature. Any fever of higher than 100.4 for a rectal temperature or 102 for an oral/ear temperature is a definite cause for concern.
4. Is your baby constipated or does she have diarrhea? If your newborn is crying while trying to poop or does not poop for a few days or longer than usual, then you should be concerned. Excessive diarrhea can also indicate a sick baby. If there are more than five or six diapers of wet, runny stool and you should contact the doctor.
5. Check your baby's breathing. Is he or she struggling to breath? Are they coughing, very congested or choking on excessive mucous? You will see the chest move up and down but when the baby is struggling to breath, this will looked labored and be very hard for the baby.
6. Finally, has your baby's skin changed color? A sick newborn may be flushed and have extremely red cheeks or have very pale skin. If the baby's skin is yellow, this may be a sign of jaundice and blue skin may mean that the baby is not getting enough oxygen. If any of these symptoms occur, then you should call the doctor immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• Many parents think that a sick newborn will cry for hours and this is simply not the case. Almost all babies cry for a few hours each day.
• When in doubt, call the doctor. When it comes to a baby, it is much better to err on the side of caution. Almost all pediatricians offices have a nurse on call to assist parents when they have questions or concerns after hours.
• Mild fevers in a newborn are usually not a cause for concern. It is important to take the temperature a few times in order to accurately confirm a fever.
• Occasionally calling your newborn's pediatrician is not the best or quickest course of action. Going to the emergency room may be the best course of action for breathing problems, very high fevers or inability to move.