Infants and young babies can become seriously unwell or deteriorate quickly, often without the typical warning signs seen in older children or adults. Knowing when a baby’s symptom is a true emergency can be overwhelming. This guide is designed to help parents quickly assess a situation, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are ever unsure about your baby’s condition, the safest course of action is always to seek immediate help from a healthcare professional.
Life-Threatening Symptoms
Certain symptoms in an infant indicate an immediate, life-threatening situation that requires activating emergency medical services by calling 911. Difficulty breathing is paramount, especially if the baby stops breathing for a period longer than 20 seconds (apnea). Signs of severe respiratory distress include the skin sucking in between the ribs, beneath the breastbone, or under the collarbones with each breath (retractions). Flaring nostrils or a grunting sound accompanying exhalation signals the baby is working extremely hard to move air.
A baby’s skin color can also signal a crisis. If the lips, tongue, or skin appear blue, purple, or gray (cyanosis), this indicates dangerously low oxygen levels. Unresponsiveness or profound lethargy means the baby is difficult to wake, is floppy, or cannot be roused from sleep. If your baby is unconscious or if you suspect they have ingested a poison, immediate emergency services must be called.
A first-time seizure or any seizure lasting longer than five minutes is a medical emergency. A seizure may present as stiffening and rhythmic jerking of the limbs, and the baby may lose consciousness. Severe, uncontrolled bleeding from a major laceration or a severe burn covering a large area also requires an immediate 911 call. If your baby is choking and cannot clear their airway, or has suffered a major fall or head injury resulting in a change in consciousness, do not attempt self-transport if it would delay immediate medical attention.
Severe Symptoms Requiring Emergency Care
Some severe symptoms require an immediate visit to the Emergency Department (ED), usually by private transport if the baby is stable enough to travel safely. Fever in a young infant is a specific concern. A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher taken rectally in any baby under three months old requires an immediate ED visit, as fever can be the only early sign of a serious bacterial infection. For infants three to six months old, a temperature above 100.4°F should prompt a call to the pediatrician, but an ED trip is required if the temperature exceeds 102.2°F or if the baby appears sick.
Signs of severe dehydration can develop rapidly and necessitate emergency care, particularly if accompanied by persistent vomiting or diarrhea. These signs include a sunken soft spot (fontanelle), a lack of tears when crying, and no wet diapers for six to eight hours. Forceful vomiting, especially if the vomit is shooting across the room, or if it contains blood or bright green bile, requires immediate evaluation. Green vomit may indicate an intestinal blockage that needs urgent surgical intervention.
Inconsolable crying that lasts for hours, or pain that worsens and does not abate, suggests a serious underlying issue. A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass is a worrisome symptom, as it can signal a severe infection like meningitis. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) is common in newborns, but if it appears after the first week of life or rapidly worsens, it requires prompt medical assessment. Any sudden, significant swelling of a limb or joint, or the visual sign of a broken bone, warrants an ED visit for prompt imaging and treatment.
When to Contact the Pediatrician First
Many common infant illnesses can be managed with professional guidance, avoiding an automatic trip to the emergency room. Contacting your pediatrician’s office first allows for appropriate triage. A persistent low-grade fever in a baby over six months old who is active, alert, and well-hydrated often falls into this category. The doctor’s office can provide guidance on fever-reducing medication dosages and determine if an urgent appointment is necessary.
Mild cold symptoms, such as a runny nose, occasional cough, and congestion, are frequent occurrences in infants and typically resolve on their own. When these symptoms are not accompanied by breathing distress or poor feeding, they are usually best addressed by a phone call to the pediatrician. Minor, localized rashes that do not spread quickly and lack fever or behavioral changes can also be discussed during a scheduled visit.
If your baby refuses one or two feedings but otherwise remains alert, playful, and has a normal number of wet diapers, pediatricians can offer advice on ensuring adequate hydration and when to be concerned about prolonged feeding issues. If your parental instinct tells you something is wrong, contacting a medical professional, even for seemingly mild symptoms, is always the right decision.