When You're Not Sure, Don't Wait

Babies can't tell you what's wrong — but their bodies do.

Here's how to recognize real danger fast and know when it's time to go to the emergency room.

🚨 Go to the ER Immediately If Your Baby Has Any of These:

1. Fever (Based on Age)

2. Breathing Problems

• Fast breathing (more than 60 breaths/min for newborns)
• Grunting, chest retractions, flaring nostrils
• Blue lips or skin (cyanosis)
• Long pauses between breaths

3. Severe Dehydration

• No tears when crying
• No wet diaper in 8+ hours
• Sunken fontanel (soft spot)
• Dry mouth and lips
• Very sleepy or weak

4. Seizures

• Body stiffens or jerks for more than a few seconds
• Eyes roll back
• Loss of consciousness
• May or may not have fever
• ➡️ Call emergency services immediately

5. Vomiting or Diarrhea With Danger Signs

• Vomiting everything consistently
• Green bile or blood in vomit
• Bloody stools or black, tarry stools
• Signs of dehydration or fever included
• ➡️ ER visit may be required

6. Rash With These Symptoms

• Purple spots that don't fade under pressure
• Rash + fever
• Sudden rash spreading fast with swelling
• ➡️ Could indicate meningitis or allergic reaction

7. Injury or Head Trauma

• Any fall with loss of consciousness
• Vomiting after a head bump
• Bulging fontanel
• Unequal pupil size
• Extreme drowsiness or unresponsiveness

✅ Other Must-Act-Now Signs

• Baby is unusually limp or floppy
• Screaming cry that doesn't stop
• Difficulty waking up
• Not feeding at all for 8+ hours
• Eye redness + swelling + discharge
• Seizure history with new episode

Never feel guilty for being cautious. If your gut says something is wrong — act. It's always safer to be evaluated and sent home than to delay care in a real emergency.