Sick

		Sick
			Back

URGENT

If you feel it is really serious, phone 000 immediately
and ask for an ambulance for your baby

You need urgent medical help if your baby ...

Has a fit
Cannot wake up
Stops breathing or goes 'blue'
They are not aware of what's going on around them
A glazed stare and no focus on things around them
Has a serious injury

12 helpful pointers -
Do you need a doctor?

Keep a careful watch.
Make a note of the symptoms,
so that if they get worse,
you can call your doctor
and describe what’s happening.

1. High temperature

Take baby's temperature.

Normal temp 36 to 37.2 Celsius (97 to 99 degrees F)
Low-grade fever is 37.3 to 38.3 Celsius (99 to 100.9 degrees F).

Feeling your baby’s skin won’t tell you.
‘Fever scan strips’ do give some idea,
but are not really accurate.
Single-use non-glass disposable thermometers are OK.

The only accurate way to take your baby’s temperature
is by placing the thermometer tip just inside the back passage.
It’s quite safe and won’t cause your baby any pain.
An urgent temperature rise is over 38.3ºC (100.8ºF)

TOP
2. Feeding

Take note of how much fluid taken during the previous 24 hours.
If the amount is much lower than normal, this is urgent.

3. Wet nappies

Watch how much urine and if a darker colour.

Small blood traces may mean a tiny split of the back passage.
(This is not uncommon, after a hard stool has been passed.)
Large amounts of blood could be serious and indicate gut damage.

TOP
4. Vomiting

Small amounts of milk vomit, even when well,
after feeds, is normal.

If they’re vomiting large amounts
after several consecutive feeds, then this can be significant, particularly if vomited liquid is ‘green’. This usually means
bile is present (from below the stomach), and may indicate
that there is some bowel obstruction.

5. Crying baby

A weak, moaning, high-pitched or painful could be important.
This is not the normal tired & hungry cry.

6. Drowsy baby

Warning signs canbe drowsiness & needing more sleep.
Healthy babies are normally alert when awake.

TOP
7. A 'floppy feeling' baby

If baby feels more floppy normal, get immediate assistance.
.

8. A baby not looking at people and things

Warning sign is baby who does not look at you when you talk to them.

9. Is your baby having difficulty breathing

Wheezing
is a whistling noise, from an obstruction to the air flow
when breathing out. seek urgent attention.

Croup
is a common condition in often happens in winter & spring.
It is a sudden spasm of coughing with ‘noisy’ breathing.

Serious chest infection signs
are deep, sharp breaths. Seek urgent attention.

Shallow & easy breathes are fine, with a ‘snuffly’ noise,
when they breathe & then sneeze to clear the upper nose passages.
They can also make back of throat noises if just been feeding.

TOP
11. Circulation issues

Squeeze your baby’s big toe.
It should go ‘white’ and clear quickly, usually within 4 seconds, returning to a healthy ‘pink’ when you let it go.

12. ‘Blue’ toe or finger nails

If your baby’s nails seem blue, there maybe some circulation issues.
Healthy babies have healthy pink toe and finger nail beds.
Look at your own, and compare them.

Other issues ....

Seek help if you have any worries.
Babies often develop issues like ‘thrush’, ‘sticky eyes’,
rashes, spots, lumps or swellings at some time or another,
and they all get colds and coughs.

Any conditions that don't clear up may need urgent medical attention.

See also Common baby illnesses TOP

Other useful stuff ....
	Music therapy can help sick babies in intensive care in maintaining normal behavioural development, making them less irritable, upset and less likely to cry. Source: University of Western Sydney


Contact us	Your feedback	Other stuff	Background	Other projects	Supporters