Common Newborn and Infant Illnesses: What Moms Need to Know

A sick baby is scary. All parents feel worried when something seems wrong. Getting support when you are pregnant and after having your baby can help you feel more ready for these moments.

Most baby illnesses are mild. They get better in a few days. But some signs mean your baby needs help right away. This guide will help you know what to look for to know if your baby is sick. It will also help you know when to call the doctor.

When to Seek Medical Care for Your Baby

Take your baby to the hospital right away if they have:

• Trouble breathing
• Blue or gray lips
• Cannot wake up or is very hard to wake
• Cannot keep any fluids down
• A rash that does not fade when you press on it
• A seizure (when the body shakes or stiffens on its own)

Fever is also a reason to seek urgent care depending on your baby’s age and symptoms (check the fever or changes in temperature section). For less urgent problems, call your baby’s regular doctor or go to an Immediate Care clinic. Less urgent problems include a cold lasting more than 10 days, ear pain, or fussiness.

You know your baby best. If something feels wrong, it is always okay to call the doctor.

Common Symptoms in Infants and Newborns

Babies get sick often in their first year. This is normal. Common problems include colds, rashes, stomach problems, ear infections, and fever.

Babies get sicker faster than older children. This is because their bodies are still growing. Their immune system (the part of the body that fights illness) is not fully developed. Their airways (the tubes they breathe through) are very small. Even a stuffy nose can make it hard for a baby to eat. A stomach bug can cause the body to lose a lot of water very quickly (this is called dehydration). That’s why it’s so important to have medical care for your baby.

Respiratory Issues (Breathing Problems)

Babies have very small airways. Even a little mucus (thick fluid from the nose) can make breathing hard. The most common illnesses parents see are:

1. A cold causes a runny nose, sneezing, and coughing. A cold can make it hard for a baby to eat or sleep. Most colds get better on their own. Call the doctor if your baby cannot breathe well, will not eat, or is still sick after 10 days.
2. RSV. RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. It is a common virus that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. RSV starts like a cold. But it can get worse fast. Your baby may wheeze (make a whistling sound when breathing). They may also breathe very fast or not want to eat. Call the doctor right away if you see these signs.
3. Bronchiolitis. This condition causes swelling inside the small airways in the lungs. Many babies that get RSV develop bronchiolitis. It makes breathing fast and hard. Call the doctor right away if your baby breathes very fast. Also call if their nostrils open wide with each breath (flaring). Another sign of bronchiolitis is retractions. This is when the skin pulls in between the ribs while breathing.
4. Flu. The flu is a virus. It causes fever, cough, and body aches. Babies with the flu get very tired and may not want to eat. Call the doctor right away if your baby has a high fever, trouble breathing, or is hard to wake up.
5. COVID-19. This virus can cause fever, cough, and a stuffy nose. Most babies only get a little sick. But call the doctor right away if your baby has trouble breathing, blue or gray lips, or is very hard to wake up.
6. Pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. It fills the lungs with fluid. This makes breathing very hard. Pneumonia is serious. Always call the doctor right away if you notice symptoms. Watch for fast breathing, grunting sounds (short noises at the end of each breath) or blue lips.
7. Croup. Croup is a virus. It causes swelling near the vocal cords (the part of the throat we use to talk). It makes a cough that sounds like a dog barking. Breathing can get loud and hard, especially at night. Call the doctor right away if your baby struggles to breathe, makes a high-pitched sound when breathing in, or turns pale or blue.

Call the doctor right away if your baby has any of these signs:

• Nostrils that open wide with each breath
• Skin that pulls in between the ribs while breathing
• Short grunting sounds at the end of each breath
• More than 60 breaths per minute
• Blue or gray color around the lips or face

Diaper Rashes

Diaper rash is very common. The skin under the diaper stays warm and wet. This hurts the skin. It usually happens when a baby sits in a wet or dirty diaper too long. The rash looks red and sore on the bottom or thighs.

Some rashes are caused by yeast. Yeast is a tiny germ that grows in warm, wet places. A yeast rash looks very red with small spots around the edges.

Change diapers often. Use a thick cream that keeps wetness off the skin (also known as barrier cream). Zinc oxide cream works well. Call the doctor if the rash does not get better, spreads, or gets blisters.

Diarrhea and Vomiting

Spitting up is normal for newborns. It happens because the muscle that holds food in the stomach is still growing. Vomiting is different. It is stronger and more forceful.

Diarrhea means very loose or watery stools (bowel movements). The biggest danger with vomiting and diarrhea is dehydration. This can happen very fast in babies.

Signs of dehydration:

• Less than six wet diapers in one day
• Dry mouth and lips
• No tears when crying
• A sunken soft spot on top of the head
• Very sleepy or weak

Call the doctor if you see any of these signs.

Ear Infections

Ear infections are very common in babies. A baby’s ear is shaped in a way that traps fluid easily. Ear infections often happen after a cold. Fluid gets stuck in the ear and germs grow inside it.

Signs include pulling at the ear, being very fussy, trouble sleeping, fever, or not wanting to eat. A doctor will look in the ear and decide if your baby needs medicine.

Fever or Changes in Temperature

Fever means the body is fighting germs. In babies, fever is serious. Their immune system is still growing. Germs can make them very sick very fast.

The best way to take a baby’s temperature is rectally. This means placing a thermometer in the bottom. It gives the most accurate reading. For fever, when to get help depends on your baby’s age:

• Under 3 months: Go to the emergency room right away if your baby’s temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Do not wait at home.
• 3 to 6 months: Call your doctor right away if your baby’s temperature is 101°F (38.3°C) or higher. Go to the emergency room if your baby is hard to wake up or seems very sick.
• 6 to 24 months: Call your doctor if your baby’s temperature is above 102°F (38.9°C) for more than one day. Also call if your baby has other signs of illness, like ear pain or a rash.

Schedule an Evaluation for Newborn and Infant Concerns

When your baby is sick, you need a care team you can trust. VNA Health Care offers same-day visits for babies and children. Our doctors care for babies from birth.

If your baby has a fever, a rash that won’t go away, or a lasting cough, we can help. Call us or schedule online.