Newborn Guide

main image - newborn baby with mother

Caring for Your New Baby

Topic: Common Illnesses Heading link

Fever

Call the office immediately if your baby is less than 2 months of age and the rectal temperature is 100.4° F or 99.4 under the arm. Little babies do not have a good immune system, and the cause of the fever is quite difficult to interpret. Should your baby act ill or feel warmer than normal, please take his/her temperature.

 

Colds

Nearly all babies are subject to eight to ten colds per year the first 2-3 years of life. They usually will have some fever associated with these viral infections. Colds are also referred to as “upper respiratory infections.” In other words, it involves the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, ears, etc.) as opposed to the lower respiratory tract (lung infection and pneumonia). Colds are caused by viruses and are not serious. The number of different viruses she/he comes in contact with determines the number of colds the average child gets.

The normal cold starts with a clear, runny nose and may be associated with fever, sore throat, and congestion. Over the next week, the clear nasal discharge turns thicker white, then green. This is caused by the body’s immune system fighting the virus. You may keep his/her nose open by suctioning out the mucus with a nasal suction bulb aspirator, which may be purchased at any drug store. Once the nasal discharge turns green, the cold is almost over.

Children will breathe easier, cough less, and sleep better if the room is on the cool side. The average cold lasts from 1-2 weeks, and no treatment known will shorten the duration. Only in rare cases do complications develop and antibiotics or other medications become necessary.

Call us any time of the day or night if your baby has any of the following:

  • Rectal temp of 100.4º or greater in a baby 2 months of age or less
  • Unusually inactive or quiet
  • Excessive crying for no reason
  • Vomiting bile or blood
  • Repeated vomiting (not just spitting up)
  • Breathing hard (using abdominal muscles to breathe)
  • Dusky or bluish coloring

If you are experiencing an emergency, you can call us any time of the day or night. If the office is closed, your call will be answered by a nurse who can answer most of your questions and suggest what to do. The nurse can always reach one of our physicians if needed. Our office is open Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5:00pm.

24/7 Phone: (309) 624-9680

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Topic: Newborn Appearance and Behaviors
Advice on soft spots, temperament, flea bite rash, and more…

Click to Go to Newborn Appearance and Behaviors