Is my Baby Sick or Just Teething?
On episode 77 of the Learning to Mom Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Mona, a pediatrician and founder of PedsDocTalk. During our conversation, we discussed the different types of illnesses that are common during a baby’s first year. We also discussed how to tell if your baby is sick and when to take them to the doctor.
Curious to know more about this topic?
Don’t forget to tune into episode 77 of the Learning to Mom Podcast, “Baby Sicknesses 101: What’s Normal, What’s Not & When to Call the Doctor with PedsDocTalk | Ep. 77” for more info!
Now, let’s dive in!
Should I be Concerned if my Baby Gets Sick?
Of course, you should always be attentive to your child.
Still, how do you separate a cold from something more serious?
Your baby might have a cold if:
There’s a lot of mucus
They’ve been around someone who’s sick (family member, person in household, etc.)
Aside from these common cold symptoms, there are other, more serious health issues that you should be aware of, which we’ll get into to calm your nerves a bit!
How to Know if my Baby is Dehydrated
To tell if your baby is dehydrated, look at the amount of wet diapers they’re producing.
Think about the baseline:
During the first six months, a good number to look for is about four wet diapers a day (at minimum).
Are they gaining weight?
How to Tell if my Baby has RSV
RSV can be a serious problem for infants, particularly in their first year of life. Since your baby’s immune system is still developing at this age, this illness is concerning.
RSV affects the bronchioles (spots on the lungs). Signs may be:
Wheezing
Lots of mucus in the throat
If you listen to your baby’s chest & their lungs sound very congested (almost like a washing machine), that’s a sign of RSV.
Honestly, from one mom to another, I would suggest you youtube, “video of baby with RSV” so you can get a good visual and audio example!
If your baby’s lungs are pulling (going in and out) or their breathing is labored, then you should see a pediatrician.
How Do I Tell If My Baby Has an Ear Infection?
Believe it or not, it can be a little hard to differentiate between an ear infection and teething.
So, how can you do that? Well, there are a few key differences between the two:
If your baby is pulling on their ear, it may signal their teeth are coming in. This is because the jawline is connected to the ear. This is no concern.
If your baby has a fever and is irritable while tugging at their ears, that may be a sign of an ear infection, and may be cause for concern.
In the case of eardrum perforations, there can be discharge from the ear as fluid builds up.
When Should My Baby see a Pediatrician?
There are a few situations where it might be helpful to see a pediatrician.
If your baby is under 3 months, then you’ll want to know when they get sick. Younger age means more concern.
To check if your baby has a fever, you’ll want to get their rectal temperature. This is the most ideal way to get their accurate temperature.
If your baby is:
dehydrated
inconsolable
Having difficulty breathing
Under these circumstances, you should make an appointment with a pediatrician.
What helps a Sick Baby?
There are a few things you can do to help your baby through sickness. Some of these treatments will depend on their age.
Under age 1:
Saline- This with help with nasal congestion
Baby chest rub (Eucalyptus helps open airways)
Other remedies:
Humidifier (good for a dry climate)
Hydration
How to get Rid of Baby Sickness
At this early age, there’s no way to completely prevent your baby from getting sick. Still, knowing what to watch out for will help you know when there’s a problem that needs to be addressed.
Interested in knowing more about this topic??
Tune into episode 77 of the Learning to Mom Podcast, “Baby Sicknesses 101: What’s Normal, What’s Not & When to Call the Doctor with PedsDocTalk | Ep. 77” for more info!
