Health Tip: When to Call the Pediatrician

By
Diana Kohnle
October 15, 2009, 11:23 AM ET
1 min read

Oct. 16 -- (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).