Your baby’s immune system is nowhere near as developed as your immune system, which means they’re much more likely to get ill. Their exposure to infectious agents and everyday germs means that even if you’re following all the hygiene recommendations, there will be times when your baby shows symptoms of being unwell.1
All babies cry, but what if your little one is fussing more than they usually do, or not feeding as much as usual? If you’re uncertain about what’s normal or not, you’re far from alone. There’ll be times when you’ll want to know how to tell if your baby is sick, which is why we’ve written about spotting the most common signs of sickness in babies.
Fevers
With newborns and young babies, a fever can be a sign of an infection or virus.1 It’s a good idea to have a baby thermometer at home to check your little one’s temperature when necessary. If your newborn baby has a fever, it’s very important for you to take them to a doctor immediately.1 Fever is defined by most healthcare providers as a temperature of 38°C or higher when taken rectally.2 Depending on where the thermometer reading is taken, the definition of fever can vary. For example, an oral (mouth) temperature of 37.8°C and a under the arm (armpit) temperature of 37.2°C suggests a fever.2
A Drop in Your Baby’s Energy Levels
Young babies sleep a lot – around 16 to 18 hours for a newborn, and 12–16 hours for babies 4 to 12 months of age.3 If you find your child is sleeping more than this, it may be a sign that your baby is sick.
Generally speaking, if your baby is alert when they’re awake, is feeding well and can be comforted when they cry, it’s normal for there to be little differences in their activity level. There are many possible causes for a change in your baby’s energy, but it’s sometimes quite difficult to spot when your baby’s levels drop because it can happen gradually, over time.4
If you notice that your little one is sleepy, listless and doesn’t have energy, it could be a sign of a common infection like a cold.4 However, when accompanied by other symptoms such as a rash, or high temperature, lethargy could indicate something more serious, like the flu or even meningitis.4 If you’re at all concerned, call your doctor, so they can assess the situation immediately and give your baby an examination if necessary.
More Noticeable Breathing
It won’t take more than an upper respiratory tract infection such as the common cold to make the sound of your baby’s breathing a little more noticeable. An infection that affects your baby’s airways is often accompanied by other symptoms such as a nasal congestion, runny nose or cough. Upper respiratory tract infections can impact how your baby breathes, which may impact how they sleep and eat.5 Use a suction bulb to help clear mucus from your baby’s nose and use saline spray or drops to thin mucus in their sinuses.5
Of course, if your baby is having considerable difficulty breathing, or you notice their symptoms are getting worse, always call your doctor. Signs of difficulty breathing can include rapid or irregular breathing, flaring nostrils and grunting.
Coughing
Coughs are as common as colds in babies, and often go hand in hand. However, a respiratory virus may lead to serious illness in infants, including croup, pneumonia and bronchiolitis.5 Typically, you’ll be able to manage most childhood coughs at home, without having to visit the doctor, especially if you keep your baby well hydrated. However, keep an eye on any changes that indicate the cough is getting worse or persisting, causing shortness of breath or blueness around the lips, as in these cases you should contact your doctor immediately.5
Diarrhea
If you’re noticing watery poop in your baby’s diaper, this could be a sign that they have a viral or bacterial infection in their gut.1 While this is common, and you can usually look after your baby at home until they’re better, it’s important to make sure that they are getting enough age-appropriate liquids, as they’ll be losing a considerable amount when they have diarrhea.1 Try to feed them regularly – this feed time will also give you with the opportunity to comfort and hug your baby when they’re feeling far from their usual selves.
At the first sign that your baby may be dehydrated (less pee in their diaper than usual, a dry mouth or sunken eyes) call your doctor, as they will advise you on how to manage the diarrhea and make sure your baby can quickly get the fluids they need.6
Should You Take Your Baby to the Doctor at the First Sign of Sickness?
As the weeks and months go by, you’ll get to know your baby better, and you’ll get to understand what’s ‘normal’ for them. There will be times, however, when it’s not always easy to spot if they’re sick, and whether you should make a call to the doctor.
Look out for any change in your baby’s behavior, as this is often a sign they might be ill. The most obvious sign, of course, is a fever, which is usually a clear indication that your baby’s body is fighting an infection.4 A raised temperature can be accompanied by flushed cheeks and more glassy-looking eyes, but it’s important to remember that fevers affect babies in different ways.4
If in doubt, always contact your doctor. It may be that a quick telephone consultation is all that’s needed to get the right advice. Don’t ever feel that any question you have about your baby’s wellbeing is too ridiculous! Remember, all babies are different, and the ways that illnesses present themselves in your child will vary, too.
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- https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/family-resources-library/babies-warning-signs
- https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/fever_and_temperature_taking
- https://www.sleepfoundation.org/children-and-sleep/how-much-sleep-do-kids-need
- https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=710&language=English
- https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/colds_in_children
- https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dehydration.html