Understanding Your Baby’s Symptoms: What’s Normal and What Requires a Doctor’s Visit?”

 

Understanding Your Baby’s Symptoms: What’s Normal and What Requires a Doctor’s Visit?”

Being a new parent is full of uncertainty. It’s easy to second-guess every decision you make.

With small children in the house occasional infections and fevers are unfortunately inevitable. But even parents who have experience with sick babies can have trouble distinguishing normal fussiness and mild illnesses from serious problems.

An occasional illness is usually nothing to worry about in an otherwise healthy baby. Here is when to contact your health care provider and when to seek emergency care for a sick baby.

 

Small babies and babies with other health problems

In babies younger than 3 months (especially below the age of 6 weeks), premature babies and babies with congenital heart disease or other medical conditions an illness may be more serious. It would always be advised to seek medical assistance if you are concerned about anything. This is especially true for respiratory infections and for diarrhoea and vomiting.

 

Fever in babies

 A fever is often the first sign that something is not right. Fever in itself is not an illness, but rather a symptom of another infection and a sign that baby’s immune system is fighting back. Therefore, it should not always be viewed as something bad. Invest in a good quality thermometer so that you can know for sure what your baby’s temperature is.

• If your baby is younger than 3 months old, contact your health care provider for any fever.
• If your baby is 3-6 months old and has a temperature up to 39°C and seems sick or has a temperature higher than 39 °C without any other symptoms, contact your health care provider.
• If your baby is 6 -24 months old and has a temperature higher 39 °C that lasts longer than one day but shows no other signs or symptoms, contact your health care provider. If your baby also has other signs or symptoms such as a cold, cough, diarrhoea or rash you might contact your health care provider sooner based on their severity.
• If your baby has a fever that lasts for more than three days, contact your health care provider.
• If the fever does not come down after the administration of Paracetamol/Ibuprofen
• Read below for suggestions on other symptoms that usually accompany fever, and when to be concerned.

 

Other signs and symptoms

• Changes in appetite. If your baby refuses several feeds in a row, or drink milk feeds poorly.
• Changes in behavior. Your baby is unusually sleepy or hard to awaken or seems floppy.
• Excessive crying. If baby is crying more than usual or is very hard to console. A high-tone cry is also a reason for concern.
• Infection on a newborn’s umbilical cord. Contact your health care provider if your baby’s umbilical area becomes red, has a bad smell and/or start oozing puss.
• An infection after circumcision. If your baby’s penis suddenly becomes red or starts to ooze or bleed after circumcision.
• Diarrhoea: If your baby’s stools suddenly increase in number and looseness, suspect diarrhoea. This is more serious in babies than in grown-ups. If this lasts for 3 or more stools in small babies, seek medical help. Be aware of the signs of dehydration below.
• Occasional spitting up is considered normal. Vomiting occurs when the flow is forceful — shooting out rather than just dribbling from the mouth. Contact your health care provider if your baby vomits forcefully after feedings or your baby can’t keep liquids down.
• Blood in stools. Another big warning sign is a red or black colour in the poop or vomit, or flecks that look like coffee grounds. This could be blood and is considered a medical emergency.
• Small babies can dehydrate easily when they have diarrhoea or vomiting, or when they have another infection that leads to them not feeding. Contact your healthcare provider if your baby cries with fewer tears, has significantly fewer wet nappies or has a dry mouth. Other signs of dehydration include dark urine, sunken eyes or a sunken soft spot on top of the head (if your baby’s fontanelle is still open). Loss of skin elasticity can also be seen – test this by pinching the skin on baby’s tummy. You should be concerned if it doesn’t immediately flatten again, but rather stays ‘pinched’ for a few seconds.
• If your baby has fewer bowel movements than usual for a few days and appears to be struggling or uncomfortable, contact your health care provider. This is especially true if baby is vomiting or has a distended abdomen.
• Colds and coughing. Contact your health care provider if your baby has a cold that interferes with his or her breathing, has symptoms that last longer than 5 days, has ear pain, or has a cough that lasts more than one week.
• Eye discharge. Remember that some babies will have ‘crusty’ eyes after sleeping, which you can just gently clean with cooled down boiled water or with breast milk. But if one or both of your baby’s eyes are red, swollen or pussy, contact your health care provider.

 

What about a rash?

A rash is one of the toughest symptoms to figure out. Rashes come in many forms and have a lot of possible causes. Most come and go on their own.  Contact your health care provider if a rash is accompanied by fever and other symptoms, as it is the probably a sign of an infection. You should also seek assistance if a rash is itchy and causing baby discomfort.

Other possible symptoms to tell your doctor about are:

• A rash that oozes or weeps
• A blistery or bubbly rash
• A rash that looks like a bull’s-eye or target
• A rash of red or purple pinprick spots, or larger bruise-like areas. The rash does not turn skin-coloured when you press on it with a finger.
• Swollen bumps on the skin, along with trouble breathing or swelling of the face
• A rash on a child who looks sick or isn’t acting like themselves

 

When to seek emergency care

• Bleeding that can’t be stopped
• Poisoning
• Seizures
• Large or deep cuts or burns or smoke inhalation
• Major mouth or facial injuries
• A head injury that is followed by any changes in consciousness, confusion, a bad headache, pupil size changes or vomiting several times
• Near drowning
• Difficulty breathing under any circumstances
• Unconsciousness, acting strangely, or becoming more withdrawn and less alert
• Skin or lips that look blue or grey
• Increasing or severe persistent pain or irritability

Prepare for emergencies in advance by asking your baby’s doctor during a check-up what to do and where to go if your baby needs emergency care. Learn basic first aid, including CPR, and keep emergency phone numbers and addresses handy.

 

Preparing for your emergency room or doctor’s visit

 Be prepared to help the medical staff understand what’s happening with your baby. Expect questions about:

• Your baby’s symptoms. What prompted you to seek medical attention for your baby?
• Your baby’s medical history. Does your baby have any known allergies? Are your baby’s immunizations up to date? Does your baby have any chronic conditions? Be prepared to share details about your pregnancy and the baby’s birth.
• Changes in your baby’s feeding and bowel movements. Have you noticed changes in your baby’s eating or drinking patterns, in the number of wet nappies, or in the number, volume or consistency of bowel movements?
• Changes in your baby’s temperature. What’s your baby’s temperature? How did you measure it, and did it respond to any fever medication?
• Home remedies and medications. Does your baby take any over-the-counter or prescription medications? If so, what, how much and when?
• If you suspect your child ingested poison or medications, bring the bottle with you.
• Possible exposures. Are you aware of anyone else in your baby’s environment being sick?
• Travel history. Have you travelled with your baby recently?

A last word

Moms should trust their instincts. This phrase in itself leads to anxiety, as sometimes it may not feel that these so-called instincts are even present! Stressing about a sick baby is a horrible feeling, and visiting a doctor or emergency room is expensive. But if you are anxious and concerned, or if something simply doesn’t feel right, speak to your doctor. This will put your own mind at ease and will help to ensure that you baby receives treatment to help them feel better, sooner.