Poorly baby: when to get help

Last modified on Tuesday 1 March 2022

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Every new mum worries about her baby getting poorly, it's only natural. Catching a cold is one thing but what about if or when it's something more serious? Here are some of the key symptoms that should never be ignored when your baby's ill. Make sure you know what to look out for as well, as when to get medical help.

Poorly baby: when to worry

When you've had a baby, it's only natural to want to wrap him up in cotton wool to protect him from the world and all its germs. Sadly, catching illnesses is all part and parcel of life – it's also instrumental in building up a strong immune system so that he can fight illness as he gets older.

While a baby's immune system is still developing, it's important to be aware of any unusual or worrying symptoms – after all, a baby can't tell you what's wrong.

If your instinct is that something's not right, don't ignore it. You can either:

call your GP for advice or speak to your GP over the phone
book a same day GP appointment – most practices will fit in newborn babies as a priority
call 111 – if you can't get hold of your GP or it's out-of-hours, call 111 for medical advice
call 999 (if it's urgent) or go straight to your nearest paediatric A&E department

Poorly baby symptoms: when to see a doctor

If your baby displays any of the following symptoms, it's a good idea to take him to see a doctor, asap:

Listlessness or unusually drowsy
Crying persistently or differently from normal and can't be soothed, especially if moaning, whimpering or screaming in a high pitch.
Not interested in feeding.
Seems to have severe leg pain or tenderness.
A rash, particularly if it's accompanied by a fever.
Seems irritable and does not like being touched.
A fever (a high temperature over 38 degrees centigrade or 100.4 degrees F) or is flushed, hot and sweaty.
Not wetting or soiling her nappies as normal.
Has had diarrhoea for more than 12 hours or has blood-streaked poo in her nappies.
Excessive vomiting (not just possetting, ie bringing up normal amounts of milk after a feed), particularly if the vomit is green, bloody, or projectile.
Discharge of any sort from ears, eyes, navel, penis or vagina.

Poorly baby symptoms: when to call 999

Get immediate medical attention for your baby, by taking her to the nearest A&E unit or dialling 999, if your baby:

Is not breathing, breathing much faster than usual, or having difficulty breathing accompanied by grunting, or wheezing.
Is unconscious, or semi-conscious.
Has skin that looks blue, or is dusky around the lips.
Is having a convulsion, when she has never had one before.
Has cold hands and feet as well as a fever (a temperature over 38 degrees centigrade or 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.)
Is floppy or limp, and unresponsive.
Will not be woken, or appears not to recognise you.
Has purple rash anywhere on her body that does not fade or lose colour when you press a glass against it.
Has raised, tense or bulging soft spot (fontanelle) on her head. (Although this can occur quite harmlessly in healthy babies, after a spell of crying or immunisation, for example. If in doubt, get it checked out.)
Has had an accident involving a burn, deep cut, significant fall or bump to the head, or has swallowed something that could be harmful (more on First Aid and how to deal with accidents and emergencies)