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During your baby’s first year, you will make many trips to the pediatrician’s
office. Most of these visits are routine, but there may be times when your baby
needs immediate medical attention. Questions about minor problems such as a
small cough, occasional diarrhea, and fussiness can usually wait until normal
office hours, but if your baby is acting unusually, do not hesitate to call your
doctor immediately. Trust your instincts, because they are usually right.
It is very important to get medical advice from your doctor because something
as simple as diarrhea may turn into a dangerous condition. Before your baby is
born, be sure to find out your doctor’s office hours, on-call hours, and how
to deal with an after hours emergency. This will make it easier to deal with any
problems that may come up.
Before calling your doctor, make sure to have a pen and paper to write down
any instructions he or she might give. When you call, have the following
information on hand:
- Your baby’s immunization records
- The names and doses of any medications--prescription and
over-the-counter --your baby takes
- Any medical problems your baby may have
- His or her temperature
When should I call the doctor?
Call your doctor’s office if your baby:
- Refuses to feed for multiple feedings in a row
- Has diarrhea and vomits more than usual
- Has a cold that does not improve, or that gets worse
- Has a rash
- Has signs of dehydration (does not need to have diaper changed,
does not shed tears when crying, has sunken eyes, or an indent on top of his
or her head)
- Has ear drainage
- Will not stop crying
Call your doctor immediately if your baby:
- Has blood in his or her vomit or stool
- Has difficulty breathing
- Has a seizure
- Has any type of poisoning
- Has bleeding that you cannot stop
- Is not able to move
- Has a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- Has yellow skin or eyes
- Sleeps more than usual or will not wake up
- Is limp
If you are extremely concerned about your baby, call your doctor and take
your baby to the emergency room.
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