When To Call The Doctor About Your Baby

When to call the doctor about your baby

There are many times when calling the doctor is the right thing to do, but calling the doctor for everything your new baby does could cause problems. Not only will you be wasting a lot of gas going back and forth to the pediatrician's office, but your baby could also get more irritated from being shuffled around so much. Now there are times when it is vital you call the doctor, but many times when your baby could just use a warm bath.

Fevers

There are times when a baby is going to feel warmer than they really are. That is just how their bodies develop and get use to everything around them. If your baby feels warm, take their temperature. Most pediatricians will recommend not to get to panicky as long as the babies temperature is below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or 37.8 degrees Celsius. Even if it is slight over, try giving them some Tylenol first. But if your baby's temperature is over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, or 38.8 degrees Celsius, call the doctor.

Coughing

Many newborns will still have a slight cough when they come home from the hospital. This can be normal, there was a lot of stuff in their throat while they were inside of you. It may take them some time to get all of it out. If the coughing becomes more than just a small tickle sound or your baby has trouble breathing because of the coughing. Immediately call your doctor, this could be a sign of something bigger going on in their lungs.

Spitting up

Babies will spit up, this is something they will do just as soon as you put on some clean clothes. For the most part it is pretty normal. But be mindful that if the spitting up becomes a large amount, looks to be tinted with color or looks like out dated milk, you will want to ask your doctor about it. There are hundreds of babies born every year that has acid reflux. This is something they normally outgrow, but can be bothersome to you and the baby until they do.

Noticeable difference in diapers

You should always check with your doctor if you notice anything out of the ordinary when you change your babies diapers. A strong odor, no urine or blood spots in their stool. This is something that needs to be addressed by your doctor as soon as you can. It may be nothing but you never know.

Gagging

Gagging can be something deadly. If your babies gag too much they can choke themselves. It is not something to play around with. Now some babies will gag on their bottles, because they are in their mouth too far. But if you find that your baby gags on a pacifier or when you lay them on their back in their beds, you will want to talk to your pediatrician about this.

Parents should try to be smart about calling their doctor all the time. Sometimes it is hard to know when to call and when not to call, but hopefully with experience you can work this out. Do not be afraid to ask your doctor question about when they think you should call or when it is something you may be able to take care of yourself.

Written by

Miss Vanda

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