Is my baby really ill?

6. Is your baby drowsy?

Healthy babies are normally alert and responsive when they're awake. If your baby seems drowsy and needs much more than their normal amount of sleep, this can indicate that he or she is ill.

7. Does your baby seem floppy?

You will soon become aware of just how 'firm' your baby usually is to hold. Be alert if he or she seems more floppy than usual.

8. Is your baby 'focusing' visually?

Normally, babies will look at you when you talk to them. If this doesn't happen, as you would expect, then it may be relevant.

9. Is your baby having difficulty breathing?

A healthy baby will take shallow, easy breaths. Remember that babies will often make 'snuffly' noises, when they breathe and then sneeze to clear the upper nose passages. They can also make noises in the back of their throat, if they have just been feeding.

Wheezing is different. It's a whistling noise, when breathing out, indicating some obstruction to the flow of air leaving the lungs.

Croup, a common condition in young toddlers, often hits hardest in the winter and spring months. It can appear suddenly at night, when the baby has a sudden spasm of coughing with 'noisy' breathing.

If your baby is breathing deeply, taking in sharp breaths, this could signal a serious chest infection and you need to call the doctor.

11. Has your baby got good circulation?

Squeeze your baby's big toe. It won't hurt - it should go 'white' and clear quickly, usually within three or four seconds, returning to a healthy 'pink' when you let it go.

12. Has your baby got 'blue' nails?

Healthy babies have healthy pink toe and finger nail beds. Look at your own, and compare them. If your baby's nail beds seem blue, this may indicate some problem affecting circulation.

Always ask for help if you have any continuing worry. Babies often develop conditions such as 'thrush', 'sticky eyes', rashes, spots, lumps or swellings at some time or another, and they all get colds and coughs.

(It's been demonstrated recently that, babies who get infections of the upper airways when they're young, are less likely to develop more serious problems when they're older.)

Although rarely serious, these conditions may need medical attention if they persist, so do contact your doctor for advice if you're at all concerned.

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