Emergency room or pediatrician: how to decide in the first months

When a newborn is unwell, choosing where to seek help can be difficult. Some signs need immediate emergency care; others can start with a call to the pediatrician or after-hours service.

If you are unsure while a newborn is worsening, choose the more cautious path.

When it is emergency care

Do not wait if there is:

• labored breathing or breathing pauses;
• bluish or gray lips or skin;
• difficulty waking;
• seizures;
• major injury or fall with symptoms;
• green or bloody vomiting;
• ingestion of medicine or dangerous products;
• rash that does not fade when pressed with an unwell baby.

When to call the pediatrician right away

Call promptly if:

• fever under 3 months;
• feeds are sharply reduced;
• wet diapers are much fewer;
• repeated vomiting or diarrhea;
• cough with fast breathing or wheezing;
• inconsolable crying that is different from usual;
• worsening after seeming to improve.

For a broader list, see when to call the pediatrician.

What to prepare

Before calling, if it is not an emergency:

• age and weight;
• temperature and method;
• last feeds;
• wet diapers;
• medicines given;
• symptom duration;
• rash or diaper photo if useful;
• health documents.

The first-year visits checklist and newborn health kit help keep details ready.

Useful links

• When to call the pediatrician
• Fever in newborns
• Newborn dehydration
• Poison control for children
• First-year visits checklist