When you’re a new parent, your baby being ill or acting strangely can be one of the scariest things you’ll experience.
Your baby can’t tell you what’s wrong and it’s easy to panic and assume the worst- that it is a medical emergency. We’ve got some tips on when you should call the doctor or head to the hospital.
As a new parent, you’re probably in awe of your beautiful bundle of joy… as well as exhausted while trying to get used to wanting to protect a tiny human. With all the new experiences you’re going through, it can be scary. How do you know if your baby is sick? How severe is it? And what should you do?
We’ve compiled a non-panic guide on how to navigate through these situations.
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What to do if you think your baby is sick
During the first couple of months of having a new-born, you’ll be making many routine trips to the doctor’s office. Most of these trips will be routine visits, but some of them may be stress visits or a medical emergency.
Pro tip: Before your baby is born, find out what your doctor’s operating hours are and their policy with after-hour calls and who they recommend if they don’t take after-hours calls.
If your baby has a small cough, occasional diarrhoea or is generally fussy, give your doctor a call during normal office hours to chat about these symptoms. But if your baby is acting strangely and you’re concerned, definitely call your doctor for medical advice immediately.
You never know when something that may seem little will turn into a medical emergency.
Before you call the doctor
Before you give your doctor a call, make sure you’re prepared and calm. Here’s what you’re going to need:
- A pen and paper to take down any instructions the doctor gives you
- Your baby’s immunisation details
- The names and dosage of any medicine your baby is currently taking (if any)
- The symptoms your baby is experiencing
- Your baby’s temperature
When to call the doctor
Unfortunately, babies don’t come with instruction manuals and, as much as your parents can give you advice, it sometimes is better to talk with a health professional.
Your baby is bound to get a little sick every now and then but if you feel like something is out of the ordinary then give your doctor a call. Keep an eye out for these symptoms:
- Changes in their appetite: If your baby refuses to eat multiple times in a row or eats very little, give the doctor a call.
- Changes in their behaviour: If your little one is unusually sleepy or you’re struggling to wake them up, if your baby seems floppy or they’re crying more than usual or they’re very hard to console.
- Fever: If your baby is younger than 3 months old and they have a fever, contact your doctor immediately. They’ll advise on the severity of the fever. If your baby is 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature up to 38.9°C or higher and seems sick, then take them to the doctor.
- Diarrhoea: If your baby has loose or watery stool up to 3 times, take them to the doctor.
- Vomiting: Occasional spitting up is normal. Vomiting occurs when it is forceful and shoots out rather than dribbling from the mouth. Contact your doctor if your baby vomits forcefully after feedings or hasn’t been able to keep liquids down for eight hours.
- Constipation: If your baby has fewer bowel movements than usual for a few days and appears to be struggling or uncomfortable, contact your health care provider. If you think your baby is constipated and your baby is vomiting or has a distended abdomen, call your health care provider.
- Colds: Head to the doctor if your baby has a cold that interferes with their breathing, has symptoms lasting longer than 10 days, has ear pain, or a cough that lasts more than one week.
These symptoms are pretty mild but can become serious. If you aren’t sure whether or not to go to the doctor, give their office a call and chat to them about your baby’s symptoms.
When to seek emergency assistance
There are some cases when you need to head straight to the emergency room, especially if it’s out of operating hours for your doctor.
If your baby is unresponsive or having difficulty breathing, go straight to the hospital. If there’s been an accident where your baby has hit their head or fallen into water, take them to the hospital to get checked.
In instances like these, it is better to be safe and cautious rather than sorry.
Another important thing to look out for is if your baby is having seizures. Some seizures may be less noticeable and could look like your baby has developed a tick. No matter how severe, go straight to the hospital.
Related: 5 Healthy Habits for Kids & How to Boost Your Child’s Immune System
The benefits of having health insurance (especially in a medical emergency)
When you bring a new member into your family, you need to make sure that you’re both protected, not only health-wise but financially too.
Medical care can be expensive, especially in the event of a medical emergency. But luckily, with health insurance, you don’t need to worry about that.
With affordable premiums, health insurance gets you through the doors of private hospitals and gives you access to excellent healthcare. Whether for routine checks, illness, or hospital care, there’s a policy out there for you.
Read this: Do you want access to private sector healthcare? We’ll show you how you CAN afford it.
At Oneplan, our insurance is simple, and we’ve put careful consideration into all of our plans. Here’s a quick look at how Oneplan makes your health insurance journey easier:
- Get paid before you see the doctor
- Go to any doctor of your choice
- More than just a hospital plan – we cover routine and day-to-day care such as doctor and dentist visits
- Range of plans and prices – you are bound to find one that suits your budget
- Amazing maternity cover and benefits including pre-birth cover, natural birth, and emergency Caesareans on comprehensive plans
- Access your cover anytime, anywhere
- Claiming made easy via the Oneplan App
- Upload your claim in seconds via the App
- Zero paperwork. Zero hassle.
- In-App chat services and support
- Our friendly team members are always ready to help
Remember, your intuition as a parent is invaluable and you know your baby best. When in doubt, rather err on the side of caution in a potential medical emergency. It’s all you can do when your heart is literally living outside of your body.
Your Health Insurance Family,
Oneplan
