Newborns: Subtle Symptoms of Illness

A newborn is a baby less than 1 month old. He or she mainly eats, sleeps, cries a little, and needs a lot of love and his or her diapers changed frequently. If a newborn is ill, the symptoms can be subtle. Also, an ill newborn can very quickly get much sicker. If a newborn is sick at all, the illness can be serious.

When should I call my child’s healthcare provider

Call IMMEDIATELY if:

• Your baby is less than 1 month old and sick in any way (for example, with a cough or diarrhea) or has any of the following symptoms:
• Poor feeding behavior or a sudden change in feeding behavior (has to be repeatedly awakened to feed or can’t stay awake for feedings)
• Has a poor suck or inability to sustain sucking
• Sweats during feedings
• Sleeps excessively–for instance, past feeding times.
• Cries excessively
• Unusual crying, moaning, grunting
• Change in muscle tone (weak or limp)
• Decreased activity or movement
• Change in color (pale, bluish or grey)
• Your newborn sleeps excessively—for instance, past feeding times.
• Your newborn cries excessively.
• Your newborn develops a fever over 100.4°F (38°C) measured rectally, or over 99°F (37.2°C) measured in the armpit. *
• Your newborn’s temperature drops below 96.8°F (36°C) measured rectally, or 95.4°F (35.5°C) measured in the armpit. *
• You have other urgent questions.

* In general, do not take an infant’s temperature unless he or she feels hot or looks sick.