How To Care For A Sick Baby
If your baby becomes unwell, it can be worrying for any parent. They can’t tell you what is wrong with them and you always feel so helpless. But the fact of the matter is that at some point, your baby or young child will get sick. Especially if they have lots of contact with the outside world. Here are our top tips for what to do when you have a sick baby.
Parents know best
As a parent, you know your child better than anyone else. So, you know if something is not quite right with them. If they are unwell and acting way out of character – sleepier, lethargic, not eating, not drinking – then it is perfectly fine to take them to the doctor for a check-up.
Doctor’s will welcome a parent’s help to diagnose the child. It can be hard to know what is wrong, if you don’t know what the child is like normally. Give your doctor as much info as possible so that they can make an informed diagnosis. If a medical professional (like a doctor or a healthline worker) brushes off symptoms that are really concerning you, then it is best to get a second opinion. You know your child best.
General Rule of Thumb
It can be easy to panic at the sign of any illness, especially in young babies. But a lot of symptoms can be treated at home if they are not serious. Fevers, colds and sniffles can all be looked after at home as long as they are not severe.
The thing to remember is if your child is happy and behaving as normal, then it is likely the illness will pass naturally. If they are eating well and keeping their fluids up, then these are good signs too. If your child is not acting as they normally would, then it might be time to consider a trip to the doctor.
If your newborn contracts any illness, then you need to get them seen by a doctor.
Common Illnesses that Cause a Sick Baby
Fever
A fever is a common thing to deal with in young children. A fever is the body’s way of fighting infection, so it can be the symptom of another illness. A mild fever is a body temperature above 38 degrees, and a high fever is a body temperature above 39 degrees.
Treat It By: Strip your baby down to one layer of clothing and keep them in a room that is not too hot, or not too cold. If they are crying a lot then you can treat with the recommended dose of paracetamol. You can also wipe their little body down, or give them a tepid bath to provide relief.
A Cold
Did you know that young children can get up to 6-8 colds a year? The sniffles can be a real pain, as it can be hard for young children to sleep. A runny nose or a cough can waken them in the night.
Treat It By: Mostly just waiting it out. You can remove mucus from your baby’s sinuses with a nasal aspirator to aid clearer breathing. Sometimes a vaporiser in their room can provide relief as dry air worsens congestion. Avoid cough and cold medicines for young children and keep fluids up.
Diarrhoea
Changing nappies is not fun at the best of times, but even worse if your baby has an upset tummy. Diarrhoea can be caused by a virus, a bacterial infection, or a reaction to something they ate.
Treat It By: There is not much you can do to treat Diarrhoea unfortunately. Dehydration is a big concern though, so make sure you keep their fluids up. If they are also vomiting, then give small feeds or water (if they are the appropriate age) 30 minutes after they have thrown up.
Having a sick baby is always a stressful time. The whole household is unsettled, and no one gets enough sleep. Remember that as a parent, you know your child best. If you think they need to visit a doctor, then do not hesitate to take them there.
