• When to Call the Pediatrician

    October 15, 2009

    New parents frequently have concerns about an infant's behavior, crying and fussiness. But how is a new parent to know what's normal and when to call the doctor?

    The Nemours Foundation offers these signs that it is time to call a pediatrician:

    • When your infant aged 2 months or younger has a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
    • When your infant shows signs of dehydration, which may appear as crying with no tears, no urination for more than six hours, a sunken soft spot on the head or sunken eyes.
    • When it's difficult to get your baby to wake up, or the baby has signs of no alertness, extreme inactivity, or severe drowsiness.
    • When your infant has blood in the diaper, blood in the vomit, or frequent diarrhea.
    • When your infant has rapid and labored breathing.
    • When your infant vomits frequently and forcefully (beyond spitting up).


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