HealthPartners - Taking care of you and your newborn

Baby’s Warning Signs

Even experienced parents may feel worried as they adjust to a new baby’s habits, needs, and personality. If you have questions or concerns do not hesitate to call your baby’s health care provider.

WARNING

CALL 911 IF YOUR BABY:

• Baby has bluish or gray lips, tongue, or skin • Baby has difficulty breathing or is turning blue • You think baby has a life-threatening emergency

Signs that feeding may not be going well: • Usually sleeping for more than 4 hours • Not interested in eating • Irritable or weak cry • Always awake • Never seems satisfied • Inability to suck • More than 12 feedings per day • Most feedings last longer than 30 minutes • No signs of swallowing after every 3 to 4 sucks

Contact baby’s health care provider if baby has any of these signs: • Temperature below 97.5°F or above 100.4°F • Yellow color on arms, chest, or whites of eyes • Unusual or high-pitched cry • Unusual or severe rash • Repeated vomiting • No bowel movement in 48 hours • No wet diaper in 12 hours

• Soft spot on top of head appears swollen • Redness, drainage, or bad smell from umbilical cord stump • Frequent bowel movements with excess fluid or mucus or very bad odor • Rapid breathing (over 60 breaths per minute) with no pauses longer than 10 seconds • Wheezing, grunting, or whistling sounds while breathing • Retraction (pulling in) of baby’s ribs when they breathe in • Crying, irritability, or twitching that doesn’t get better with cuddling and comfort

My baby’s health care provider:

Phone:

Urgent Care closest to me:

Phone:

Hospital closest to me:

Phone:

NOTE: These newborn warning signs are presented for general information only. Because every baby is different, you should trust your own instincts, reach out to the baby’s health care provider if you feel something is not right, and follow that provider’s instructions and recommendations.

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Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care