When you are a first time mom and never had too much experience with newborns (or if you've simply forgotten what it is like to have a little one around), anything out of the ordinary with your baby is incredibly scary. There are 6 common ailments that your infant may experience and it's important to know what to do or if it's necessary to take him/her to the doctor.*
What's Happening
1. Fever
2. Respiratory Illnesses
3. Ear Infections
4. Diarrhea and Vomiting
5. Constipation
6. Rashes
Fever:
*A fever is actually an automatic defense against an infection in the body. It helps fight it off.
*Body temperatures may sometimes go up between 99º and 100º depending on what the baby is doing and how warm he is dressed. These temperatures are considered normal when factoring in activity and dressing warm.
*Temperatures reaching over 100º are recognized as a fever.
*If fevers help fight infection, some people argue whether you should attempt to lower them or not.
*Reducing the fever may be possible by giving your child a lukewarm bath or sponge bath. Acetaminophen (dosage obtained from pharmacist) may also help reduce the fever
*Here are symptoms, if combined with fever, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
- Infant younger than two months old
- Fever over 100.4ºF
- Fever not responding to usual measures
- Fever plus a rash
- Fever for longer than two to three days
Respiratory Illnesses:
*The common cold is most infants’ first illness.
*Colds come from viruses caught from other people (not cool weather or fresh air)
*A cold can take a week to ten days to run its course.
*Here are symptoms, if combined with a cold, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
- Coughing to the point of vomiting
- A deep chest cough
- Labored or rapid breathing
- Wheezing
- Cold lasting longer than two weeks
- Fever developing several days after a cold begins
- Difficulty breathing
Ear Infections:
*Ear infections are one of the most common reasons for doctor visits.
*66% of children have had an ear infection by the age of two.
*Acetaminophen (baby dosage obtained from pharmacist) may provide relief and help the baby rest better.
*Here are symptoms, if combined with ear infections, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
- Sleeplessness several days after cold begins
- Repeated vomiting
- Persistent fever / irritability after two days of treatment
- Inconsolable crying
- Redness or swelling behind the ear
- History of ear infections
- Pulling or tugging at ear
Diarrhea & Vomiting:
*Most illnesses that result in vomiting or diarrhea are caused by viruses.
*Bacteria, parasites, dietary changes or medications may also be responsible.
*Recovery for babies may take several days.
*The main concern is avoiding dehydration. Drink lots of liquids.
*Here are symptoms, if combined with diarrhea or vomiting, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
- High fever. Unable to retain clear liquids
- Signs of dehydration
- Bloody stools
- Bright yellow or green vomit
- Diarrhea lasting longer than seven days
Constipation:
*Formula-fed babies tend to have drier, less frequent stools than breastfed babies.
*Even if your baby strains to pass a stool, he may not be constipated.
*Curling the knees up against the baby’s chest may help (helps with gas too).
*Adding water or juice to the diet or fruits and vegetables for older babies can make stools less dry.
*Never give an infant an enema or a laxative unless your doctor advises this.
*Here are symptoms, if combined with constipation, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
- Infant feeding poorly or vomiting
- Abdominal swelling
- Infant in pain
- Blood in the stool
-
-Home remedies don’t help
Rashes:
*Rashes in the diaper area are fairly common.
*Keeping the diaper area clean and dry is the key to treatment (Plain old petroleum jelly works wonders on rashes I have found).
*Here are symptoms, if combined with rashes, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
- Fever
- Child acts sick
- Blisters or open sores
- Rash doesn’t respond to simple measures in - few days
- Painful rash
Source:
“Six Common Ailments and How to Handle them,” Lamaze Baby, Spring 2001.
*Please note that this is to simply provide you information and not meant to diagnose or treat your child. If you have questions about your child's health please contact his/her healthcare provider.*
