Belinda Joyce

Belinda Joyce

So, your beautiful new baby is sick and you’re not sure if you should see the doctor or not? Afterall you’re still getting to know her but being that she is so small and precious…

The bottom line is that if you feel your baby needs to be seen by a doctor then you should go. You are your baby’s expert, you know when they are not behaving as usual, remember that.

Keep in mind that small babies can dehydrate very quickly, is your baby still drinking milk, breast or bottle and are they passing plenty of urine?

Urgent Medical Help is required:

  • Any difficulty breathing
  • Less than 5 wet nappies in 24 hours
  • Vomiting and not keeping down feeds
  • Diarrhoea not improving
  • Pale or bluish skin tone
  • Is limp or lethargic
  • Temperature over 38 degrees
  • Has a stiff neck
  • Has a red or purple rash or a rash that when pressed gently doesn’t fade
  • Has a fit or seizure

How to get medical help:

  • Call 000 if urgent and serious and ask for an ambulance
  • Go to the emergency department at your closest hospital
  • If less urgent see your GP in clinic hours
  • After hours you can try the National Home Doctor Service for in home, bulk billed visits, call 13SICK (137425) Only available in some areas, check your area here: https://homedoctor.com.au/

Depending on severity and the time of day, you may choose to wait until the following morning to call the GP and see if you can get an appointment or if more concerned and it is out of hours you could try a local Emergency Department, they will usually see a young baby quite quickly.

If the doctor examines your baby and then sends you home and says your baby is going to be okay, that really is the best outcome. Never feel like you have overreacted or done the wrong thing, your baby is precious and relies on you to keep them safe. Often no medications are prescribed but you are better prepared to care for them at home with the knowledge gained from the doctor.

If after seeing a doctor you still feel like your baby is very sick go ahead and get a second opinion, take them to another GP or another hospital. Again, you are your baby’s expert, trust your intuition or gut. Best case scenario is that you are wrong, and your baby is fine but that is better than missing something more serious. You can also request referral to a Paediatrician, a specialist in the care of babies, children and adolescents.

“Don’t ever feel that you are overreacting or being an inconvenience, your baby is precious, and you have every right to seek support” Belinda Joyce 

Over the first year of life most babies will get many different illnesses including many cold viruses. This helps their own immune system to develop. Even the common cold which often starts as a cough and runny nose but can develop into something more serious such as pneumonia which requires medical care.

  • It is normal for your baby to get sick many times throughout the first yea
  • When you or your baby are unwell don’t underestimate the value of handwashing to reduce the spread of illness. Antibacterial gel is very useful at these times
  • Keep your baby’s immunisations up to date
  • Attend a first aid course aimed at parents, there are many options available
  • Get to know and trust your family GP, or look for a new one that you can see at least most of the time

You will get to know when to take your baby to the doctor and when to watch and wait. Be guided by your knowledge and your heart and intuition. Your baby is precious and needs you to protect them.

 

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