Is your baby sick enough to need a doctor?

As all new parents quickly learn, babies get sick all the time. Most of the time, they will get better on their own. That’s good because it means they are building up their immune system so that they become healthy children.

But it’s important to know when your baby is sick enough that they need to see a doctor.

Here are some guidelines. Any one of these indicates that you should take your baby to the doctor.

• Baby won’t eat (more than 2 feedings)
• Baby won’t wake up easily
• Baby has discolored or bleeding belly button
• Baby is dehydrated: Baby has fewer tears than usual, fewer wet diapers than usual, a dry mouth, sunken spot on their head
• Baby is vomiting: Baby projectile vomits after feeding and can’t keep liquids in stomach for more than 8 hours (dribbles of milk are normal!)
• Baby is constipated: Baby has passed stool less often than normal for more than a couple of days or has bloated tummy and discomfort
• Baby has diarrhea: Baby has more than 3 watery stools
• Baby is having trouble breathing: Baby can barely speak or cry. Ribs are pulling in with each breath. Breathing has become noisy (such as wheezing).
• Baby has a fever:
  • Less than 3 months old: higher than 38 degrees C
  • 3 months to 6 months old: higher than 38 degrees C and seems sick
  • Older than 6 months: higher than 38 degrees C and seems sick for more than 1 day

To call for a pediatrician:

• If you are in GESY
  • Contact your regular doctor
• If you are an Asylum Seeker and/or have a Medical Card that requires you to use the General Hospital
  • In Nicosia, call: 22 405 003
  • In Limassol, call: 25 801 320
  • In Larnaca, call: 24 800 438
  • In Paphos, call: 26 803 295
  • In Ammochostos, call: 23 200 000

Be ready to answer these important questions:

• Does the child have a fever (temperature great than 38 degrees C)? If so, what is it?
• What symptoms does the child have? (pain, cough, runny nose, congestion, sore throat)
• Have you given the child any medicine (paracetamol, Calpol, etc)? When and how much?
• Is the child eating?
• Does the child have diarrhea? Is it vomiting? If so, how often?
• Is the child lethargic or playful?
• Is the child acting differently?
• What is your child’s UN XXXXXX number? (6 digit number on the hospital label)

Be as specific and precise as possible so that the doctor can help you!

And please be truthful! You don’t want to give your baby medicines that it doesn’t need. They can do more harm than good when taken incorrectly.

Photo credit: Freepik