Like all new parents, I used to be very paranoid but at the same time, wasn’t sure if my worries are justified enough to see a Doctor.  As my family medical expenses are well covered (thank God and a good employer for that), making the trips to the doctors do not pinch on us but I do feel bad if I am one of those parents who abuse free medical coverage.  In my previous line of work, I notice that many parents just bring their children to the doctor over every little sniffles.

However, in recently years, I had met a great paediatrician who taught me almost everything a parent need to know.   No more wonderings, no more guessing if the doctor/nurses are going to snigger behind my back for over-reacting, no more sitting at home and waited until all clinics are closed before I decided that it could be dangerous not to see a doctor, no more banging on the emergency units just because I think my child is sick.  (some of the private hospitals here assign walk-in patients to the emergency ward after clinic hours)

Ultimately, none of us parents will be able to tell exactly if our sick child needs a doctor immediately or wait for sunrise because it depends on our instinct.  Trust your instinct.  Don’t feel bad about running to the GP to buy some child paracetamol in the middle of the night because you ran out of supply.  (we did that before)  Don’t feel bad about calling the paediatrician from his dreamland to attend to your child in the middle of the night.  Our parenting instinct is the best guide.

I found this guide from NHS which has a good authoritative  website on children’s health.  Do bookmark the page and read for reference.  Like all good parents should, read and be prepared beforehand.  Know the bumpy roads ahead so that when our child falls sick suddenly, we are at least prepared.

How can I tell if my baby is ill?

• Your Baby is not responding to you normally.
• When awake, your baby may seem unusually drowsy or not interested in looking at you.
• Your baby may not be interested in feeding.
• Your baby feels floppy or limp (perhaps when cuddled),
• Your baby’s cry seems different (perhaps moaning, whimpering or shrill), and soothing doesn’t help.

If you think you notice these in your baby, please call NHS Direct and talk to a nurse.

Other signs of illness

If you are already worried and then notice other problems too (like those in the list below), call NHS Direct for advice.

• If your baby looks very pale.
• If your baby seems irritable and does not like being touched.
• If a new rash starts to appear.
• If your baby’s skin looks bruised or discoloured.
• If your baby seems hot (feverish or has a high temperature).
• If your baby seems breathless or is breathing much faster than usual.
• If your baby starts being sick (vomiting).
• If your baby’s nappies are not wet, or they are less wet than normal.
• If your baby is drooling excessively instead of swallowing their own saliva.
• If your baby is three months old or younger or was born prematurely
•  If your baby has a tense or bulging soft spot on the head (fontanelle).

Remember, you know your baby better than anyone else. Small children can become ill quickly, so check them often.

Oh yes, don’t just learn for your own application.  Be alert and do watch out for other people’s children because not every parent has the luxury to information like us do.  Many children had been denied off proper medical attention because some parents are too ignorant.  Some children/babies died due to this.   So, being a little bit more aware will not only help us but also others.

Originally posted 2006-06-05 20:59:57.