Health Tip: When to Call the Pediatrician

Warning signs that your newborn needs a doctor

October 15, 2009 RSS Feed Print

(HealthDay News) -- 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).