If my baby seems ill, when should I call my healthcare provider? For babies less than 3 months old:
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Change in skin color—rashes; yellow face or body;
blue or purple, especially around the mouth
Fever for more than 24 hours, no matter how low
Temperature of 100.2° F (rectal) or higher
Repeated vomiting with force after 2 or more
feedings
Fewer than 4 to 6 wet diapers in 24 hours
Not as alert as usual or sleeping more than usual
Crying more than usual and can’t be consoled
Consistent watery diarrhea for a day
Skips 2 feedings and won’t drink at all
A cold or cough lasting more than 2 days
Blood or mucous in the stool or urine
Unusual irritability
Call 911 if… your baby has trouble
breathing, is turning
blue, or is choking
For babies age 3 months to 1 year:
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Fever over 100.4° for 72 hours (3 days)
Vomiting for 24 hours
Vomit that is bloody or green in color
Bloody stool
Unusual irritability or not as alert as usual
No wet diaper for 12 hours
Rash with purple or blood-colored spots
Rapid breathing—over 60 breaths per minute
Refuses to drink
When you call your healthcare
provider, be ready to tell them:
• What is wrong with your baby
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How long your baby has been sick
Your baby’s temperature
If your baby has a rash
If your baby is vomiting
If your baby has diarrhea
If your baby has a cough or runny nose
If your baby is rubbing or pulling on his/her ears
If your baby is fussy or crying a lot
Medications you have been giving your baby
About baby’s temperature:
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The normal temperature is 97.3°-99.0° F.
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Ask your healthcare provider to teach you how
to take your baby’s temperature and the preferred
method—rectal or armpit.
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Read and follow the instructions supplied with
your digital thermometer.
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Ask your baby’s healthcare provider before giving
fever-reducing medicine. The dosage is
based on your baby’s weight and age.
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Never give aspirin to a baby or child.
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It’s possible for your baby to have a low-grade
fever after routine immunizations.
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If your baby seems hot or has a fever, check
for too many layers of clothing or blankets.
Keep the room temperature at 68° - 70° F.
C
0.0
20.0
30.0
31.0
32.0
33.0
34.0
35.0
36.0
37.0
37.2
37.4
37.6
37.8
38.0
38.2
38.4
38.6
38.8
Converting Celsius to Fahrenheit
C
F
39.0
32.0
39.2
68.0
39.4
86.0
39.6
87.8
39.8
89.6
40.0
91.4
40.2
93.2
40.4
95.0
40.6
96.8
40.8
98.6
41.0
99.0
41.2
99.3
41.4
99.7
41.6
100.1
41.8
100.4
42.0
100.8
43.0
101.2
44.0
101.5
100.0
101.8
F
102.2
102.6
102.9
103.3
103.7
104.0
104.4
104.7
105.1
105.4
105.8
106.2
106.5
106.9
107.2
107.6
109.4
111.2
212.0
Created by Maternal Child Health; revised June 2009
Department of Health Services, County of Sonoma, Public Health Division
625 5th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Is my
baby sick?
When should I call my healthcare provider?