A change in the normal behavior of your baby is an indication that he or she is unwell. For instance, if the young one is ailing, he or she might cry more or change his activity levels.
The following are some of the signs that your baby is sick:
Behavior Changes
Change in behavior is one of the major signs that your baby is sick. He or she might cry more than normal. The little one might a huge change in activity level. If your loved one is normally active when awake, feeds well and you can comfort him/her when crying, the small differences in crying or activity level are normal. Nonetheless, if your toddler becomes irritable or lethargic, it might be time to seek medical advice from a doctor.
Lethargy
Lethargic babies have no or little energy. Their sleep is longer than normal. Additionally, waking them up for feeding turns out to be quite difficult. Even when they wake up, they tend to be sluggish or drowsy. They aren’t alert or don’t pay attention to visual sounds or stimulation. Over time, lethargy can develop gradually. In fact, some parents might have some difficult recognizing it.
This sign can be an indication of common infections such as a cold, or serious infections such as meningitis or influenza. Blood ailments or heart conditions such as thalassemia can contribute to lethargy. Consequently, when you notice that your child is lethargic, you need to take him or her to the doctor for check-up and examination.
Treatment depends on the condition that makes your baby lethargic.
Irritability
The most effective way for your baby to communicate is through crying. With time, the little ones tend to develop different types of cries based on what they need; cuddle, diaper change, sleep, food, etc. Gradually, parents learn to decode the cries and respond accordingly. Normally, parents can console their toddlers by offering what he or she needs.
Nonetheless, some babies might start to cry inconsolably. It might be because of a condition by the name colic. In such a situation, babies tend to cry continuously for roughly 3 or so hours. Colic starts shortly begins at birth and might continue for the next six weeks of life.
A baby that becomes fussy, fretful, and irritable with extended crying period might be in pain or ill. He or she might also turn out to be highly jittery and begin to tremble. Irritability might be an indication that the young one has an infection, an earache, abdominal pain or is constipating.
If the little angel is irritable and persists to cry longer than normal, you need to take him or her to a doctor for examination. Treatment usually depends on the exact condition that’s making the baby irritable.
Fever
It’s highly important to appreciate the fact that while fever might be serious in babies, it’s not necessarily an alarming thing if your young one is more than three months regarding age. Fever is a way of the body to fight infection. Therefore, it’s a good thing.
You can use the best baby thermometer to check your baby’s temperature. It can be done in two ways, under his armpit, or rectally. You shouldn’t avoid using a mercury-filled thermometer. It can be harmful to the baby. Of the two ways, the most accurate one is the rectal way. Nonetheless, most parents don’t find the approach appealing.
Dehydration
Dehydration comes as a result of your baby feeding poorly or has continuous diarrhea or vomiting. One way of recognizing dehydration is by checking for dry gums and mouth. Another characteristic of dehydration is wetting of the diaper less frequently or lack of tears when he/she cries. You should consult your doctor immediately if the little one is dehydrated.
Vomiting
It’s normal for infants to ‘spit up.’ However, frequent vomiting should worry you. If it happens once or twice, you shouldn’t consider it to be serious. Nevertheless, if it’s more frequent, or is green or contains blood or your infant looks dehydrated, you should give your doctor a call immediately.
Difficulty in Breathing
Is your baby having difficulties in breathing? If that’s the case, you need to call 911 and your doctor real time. The following are some common indications of difficulty in breathing:
- The infant’s head is bobbing
- He or she grunts while exhaling
- The baby is breathing more rapidly than normal
- His or her skin or lips have developed a bluish tinge
Conclusion
Babies that are sick don’t act normal. Their normal patterns change drastically. The changes might be subtle, but at least you’ll notice some changes in one way or another.
About Author
I am Nancy – a writer, blogger and mother of two beautiful kids. As a mom, I always try my best to apply skills, passions and personal strengths in each stage of their development. In ChildOrch.com, I am writing useful articles and dedicated reviews based on practical experience with taking care my children. Thus, I hope that these would help any parents to choose the best methods as well as suitable products in the process of raising their babies