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Now that you are home, here are a few things you should know about your baby and some advice about when to call your child’s pediatrician.
Your baby’s immune system starts working right after birth.
Even though it gets stronger every day, newborns aren’t able to fight off all germs during the first few months.
This means they have a higher risk of getting an infection and for it to be more serious than older children.
Newborns who get a blood infection (sepsis) can very quickly get very sick and the signs of infection can be hard to recognize.
Here’s what you can do to help keep your baby safe:
Watch your baby closely. If they’re feeding, moving, and sleeping normally, that’s a good sign. If your baby looks or acts different than usual, call us right away.
Limit who can visit or touch your baby, especially in the first 1–2 months. Try to keep your baby away from anyone who is sick.
Make sure all caregivers have an up-to-date Tdap vaccine (protects against whooping cough) and a yearly flu shot.
Here are some things to be looking for and when should you call your child's primary care provider:
Not sure what the phone number for your office is? Visit our Locations page.
Fever
Any fever in a newborn baby is a concern. Any temperature of 100.4° F (38° C) or more is a fever.
The best way to measure your baby’s temperature is with a rectal thermometer. Other ways to measure your baby’s temperature are not reliable at this age.
When newborn babies are sick, they could have low temperatures (below 96.8° F or 36° C rectally) instead of a high temperature.
Do not give your baby any fever-reducing medications.
Call us immediately, day or night, if your baby is less than 2-months-old and has a temperature of 100.4° or greater or a temperature below 96.8° F.
Poor Feeding
Feeding is one of the best signs that your baby is doing well.
Newborns and young infants should be strong eaters—they're often called "eating machines" at this age!
Watch for signs that feeding may not be going well:
Weak sucking or not sucking for long
Not finishing feeds
Not waking up to eat
Sweating or trouble breathing during feeds
If you notice any of these signs, or if there’s a sudden change in how your baby feeds, please call your baby’s primary care provider right away.
Jaundice
Many babies develop a yellow tint to their skin and eyes, usually between 3 and 7 days of age.
It usually starts on the face and moves down the body.
If it is mild, usually it is not a problem.
If it happens before your baby is 3 days old or seems to be getting worse, you should call us.
Learn more about jaundice here.
Dehydration
Most babies get plenty of fluids when feeding every 2 to 3 hours.
Your newborn baby does NOT need extra water – they get all they need from breastmilk or formula.
Please call us if your baby is not feeding well or they are not having a wet diaper at least every 6 hours after the first week of life.
Irritability
Many babies will have 1 or 2 hours of fussiness at some time of day or evening.
However, too much crying can be a sign of a serious problem.
Please call if your baby is crying much more than usual without an obvious reason or there is a change in the baby’s level of activity
Rash
You may notice a lot of peeling, redness and even some pimple-like bumps in the first days or weeks. These are all normal.
Learn more about normal newborn rashes here.
The following skin findings may not be normal and should make you call us right away:
Redness or swelling of skin around the umbilical stump.
Fluid-filled or draining blisters anywhere on the body.
Swelling or hardness under the skin.
Small pinpoint red or purple spots under the skin that are increasing in number.
Any rash that is accompanied by a temperature of 100.4° F (38° C) or greater.
Other things to look for in your newborn
Sleeping more than normal or won’t wake up.
Change in muscle tone, like they feel loose or floppy.
Decreased movement or not moving at all.
Change in color such as pale, blue-ish or gray.
New moaning or grunting noises with each breath.
Change in cry such as weak or strange cry.
Low temperature (below 96.8° F or 36° C) rectally that does not go up with warming.
Any symptom of illness such as coughing, diarrhea, or vomiting. Green vomiting is always serious
This publication was adapted from information from American Academy of Pediatrics patient education materials.
Reviewed by: IB M.D., AR D.O. | 07/2024