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Is my baby really ill?

12 signs and symptoms to help you decide if you need to call the doctor

If your baby is sickening, it's often difficult to know whether the symptoms are severe enough to need medical attention.

You need urgent medical help if your baby:

• Has a fit
• Can't be woken up
• Stops breathing or goes 'blue'
• Doesn't respond (not aware of what's going on around them)
• Looks glazed, with staring eyes that don't seem to focus
• Has been seriously injured

If you think your baby is seriously ill and you can't get an appointment quickly with your own doctor, take your baby to the nearest Accident & Emergency Department.

If you think it's a life-threatening condition, telephone 999, requesting an ambulance for your baby.

If you think your baby's unwell but doesn't need immediate attention keep a careful watch. Make a note of the symptoms, so that if they get worse, you can call your doctor and describe what's happening.

Here's a checklist of symptoms to help you assess the situation:

1. Has your baby got a temperature?

Feeling your baby's skin won't tell you if he or she has a high temperature. If you miss a high temperature - and it's easy to do - you may also miss a serious illness. The only way to know is to take your baby's temperature.

'Fever scan strips' do give some idea, but are not really accurate enough. Some parents are now starting to use the aural (ear) thermometer, which can cost anything from £40-80, but digital thermometers are quick and accurate and much cheaper.

Single-use disposable thermometers are available, which are also accurate and easy to read. They are also safe for a baby because they're not made from glass.

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