When to Call the Pediatrician

Posted: Jan. 1, 2004

If your child has a LIFE OR LIMB THREATENING EMERGENCY, CALL “911” IMMEDIATELY.

If your child becomes seriously ill or has a concerning accident after regular office hours, call the office number of your pediatrician and the “on call” physician will be contacted to call you back.

When your child is sick during office hours, try to call the doctor as early in the day as possible so that the office can accommodate your schedule.

Here are some additional common medical conditions for which you should call the doctor’s office and relate the symptoms your child is experiencing. Of course, any time you have questions about your child’s health, you can contact your pediatrician’s office for assistance.

Infant Care Questions
Umbilical Cord:
Generally, the umbilical cord will fall off on its own within the first month. You may notice a small amount of bleeding as the area heals. If you notice that the base becomes red, swollen or has yellow or green discharge, notify your doctor.

Nasal Congestion:
Babies preferentially breathe through their noses, so sometimes they may seem congested or noisy. Sneezing is also very common. If you have concerns about your baby’s breathing, call your doctor.

Dry Skin and Rashes:
A newborn has just spent 9 months in a watery environment, and the skin must now adjust to being exposed to the open air. Most babies will have dry peeling skin, or minor rashes. This usually resolves on its own over time. You may try mild baby lotion, Vaseline or Aquaphor.

Crying:
Crying is initially the only way that newborns have to communicate. Often, the crying has an obvious reason such as hunger, fatigue or a wet diaper. Other times, your baby may seem to be crying for no reason at all. Most babies will have periods of unexplained crying, usually peaking at about 6 weeks and resolving around 3 months. After ensuring that there are no identifiable problems, try swaddling your baby snugly in a receiving blanket, place him in your arms on his side or stomach. Try swinging, bouncing, rocking, a vibrating seat or an electric swing. Often, crying babies will respond well to “white noise” such as music, a car ride or a vacuum cleaner. If your baby is inconsolable or you have other concerns, contact your doctor.

Fever
Call if rectal temperature is over 100 degrees in infant less than 3 months old.

Over 3 months of age, call if the rectal temperature is over 101.5 for longer than 48 hours or if the fever is accompanied by persistent cough, marked sleeplessness, refusal to take liquids or unusual fussiness.

Vomiting
Call if your baby starts forcefully vomiting, if the vomit is dark green or red, or if vomiting persists for more than 12 hours or is accompanied by diarrhea or fever.

Call if child becomes very sleepy, eyes look sunken or if child has markedly decreased urination.

Diarrhea
Call if child becomes very sleepy, eyes sunken or has markedly decreased urination and continues to have diarrhea.

Call if diarrhea lasts longer than two days or becomes more frequent.

Ingestions of drug or toxic substance
Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 to determine how the child should be treated.

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