Partnering with your baby's doctor: Your intuition
Your intuition provides a powerful ally in keeping your child healthy. As you get to know your baby, you will develop a keen sense of what's normal for him or her.
Trust your intuition. If your baby deviates from what has been normal behavior for him or her, seek information from reliable sources.
Urgent questions and answersBefore calling your baby's physician or nurse practitioner with a concern, make a list of all your questions. You should also be able to answer questions you probably will be asked. For example, if your child has a fever, the doctor or nurse will almost surely ask the following:
- How high is the temperature and how did you take it?
- How long has the fever been present?
- What have you done to treat the fever?
- Are vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, excessive sleepiness or other symptoms present?
By preparing the answers to these questions, you will save time for your doctor or nurse and get better information from them.
Some questions can waitKeep a list of issues that concern you and bring it to your next routine visit to your baby's health care provider. For example, you might have a question about your baby's birthmark, growth rate or cradle cap. These questions can usually wait until a routine visit.
When to contact the doctorCall your baby's clinic if your infant...
- has a worsening or persistent cough (lasts more than about 10 days)
- refuses to eat
- vomits blood, yellow or green material
- has a fever (rectal temperature of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
- is irritable or inconsolable, especially if a fever is present
- seems unusually sleepy and hard to awaken
- has difficulty breathing
- passes several diarrheal stools, especially if there is blood in them
- has any other conditions that worry you
Virus or bacteria? Return to "Volume 4: The second month" Pregnancy Condition Center: Your newborn Children's of Minnesota: Well child care
Source: Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
First published: 05/03/2001
Last updated: 10/18/2005
Reviewed by: Jennifer Rogan, MD, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
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