How to Know if Your Baby’s Ill

When you’re the mum or dad of a newborn it can be hard to know exactly why your baby’s crying. Maybe it’s hunger? Maybe it’s discomfort? Or is your little one feeling poorly? Here are some of the signs of illness to look out for.

Please remember: You know your baby best, so if you think your baby is unwell, or if you are worried in any way, always speak to your doctor.

Your baby could be ill if he or she is:

• Crying inconsolably	• Irritable
• Off their food	• Vomits
• Has frequent, liquid dirty nappies	• Looks flushed, feels hot
• Has a temperature above 38°C	• Pale and cold
• Breathing noisily and has a hoarse cough	• Cannot breathe properly through the nose
• Listless	• Unusually Quiet
• Drowsy

Contact your doctor immediately or dial 999 if your baby:

• Turns blue or very pale	• Has difficulty breathing
• Has a febrile fit	• Is drowsy or hard to wake
• Becomes jerky or unusually floppy	• Does not seem to know you
• Has glazed eyes and cannot focus properly

For more information, please contact: NHS Direct.

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How to Know if Your Baby’s Ill

Your baby could be ill if he or she is:

Contact your doctor immediately or dial 999 if your baby:

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Childhood fever

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