Newborn
Warning Signs
If you see any of these signs in a baby under 1
month of age, contact the baby’s doctor.
· Doesn't pass a greenish-black stool
(meconium) within 36 hours after birth
· Diarrhea: unusually frequent and very
watery stools; blood or mucus in stools
· Failure to urinate every six to eight
hours, or fewer than five wet diapers in 24 hours (after day 4 or 5, when
mother’s milk comes in)
· Dehydration: if you pinch the baby’s
skin, it stays pinched up; wrinkled, crepe paper-like skin; dry mouth; dark
yellow urine; sunken fontanel
· Fever higher than 100.4 degrees F,
rectally, or above 99.5 degrees F, axillary (under arm.)
· Jaundice: whites of the eyes are
turning yellow; skin below the nipple line turning yellow
· White patches on the tongue or inside
the mouth
· Umbilical cord problems; Any redness
around the cord, foul odor or pus, bright red bleeding that makes a
quarter-sized spot on a teeshirt or diaper.
· Circumcision issues: bright red
bleeding, swelling, foul discharge, unable to urinate
· Vomiting: forcefully or more
frequently than usual (more than spitting up).
· Feeding problems: repeatedly refuses
feedings for more than 6 to 8 hours
· Excessively or uncharacteristically fussy or irritable; unusually lethargic or sleepy
· Problems with breathing: signs such as blue lips, struggling to breathe, flaring nostrils, or deep indentations of the chest when breathing.