I’m a New Parent When Should I Call a Doctor?
Having a new baby in the house is a trying time for new parents. The old saying that babies don’t come with a manual is true. Many parents wonder what is normal and what is not for a baby. When should a new call the doctor? How high of a fever is too high? My infant’s breathing is really fast and erratic, is that normal? My baby is a month old now and still doesn’t smile, is she developing properly? How long before the umbilical cord falls off.
Most infants make it through the first months of live without many complications. Unfortunately, situations arise requiring the attention of a medical provider. The challenge is knowing what warranties medical attention and what does not. Here are a few tips. Fevers over 100.3 degrees in a baby under three months require an 
appointment as soon as possible and a temperature above 101 degrees warrants a trip to the urgent care clinic or the emergency room. A baby can go up to three days without having a bowel movement.
As long as the infant is not in pain or bowel movements are not hard, the child will be fine. Sunken soft spots, lethargy, lack of appetite, and inability to wake up also require an appointment at the clinic. If your baby is not wetting more than 3 diapers a day, he may be dehydrated. This is a serious condition and requires immediate treatment. If a baby turns blue or chokes, take her in immediately.
