Signs of serious illness in a baby or toddler

Knowing when you baby or toddler is seriously sick is not always easy.  The most important thing as a parent is to trust your instincts and if you are seriously worried, administer First Aid and get medical help quickly. Here's a checklist things to look out for that might be serious:

Temperature

• a high temperature, but cold feet and hands
• a high temperature that doesn't come down with paracetamol or ibuprofen
• your child is quiet and listless, even when their temperature is down
• a high temperature in a baby less than 8 weeks old

Breathing

• rapid breathing or panting
• a throaty noise while breathing
• your child is finding it hard to get their breath and is sucking their stomach in under their ribs

Other signs

• blue, pale, blotchy, or ashen (grey) skin
• your child is hard to wake up, or appears disorientated or confused 
• they're crying constantly and you can't console or distract them, or the cry doesn't sound like their normal cry
• green vomit
• your child has a fit (convulsion or seizure) for the first time
• your child is under 8 weeks old and doesn't want to feed 
• nappies that are drier than usual – this is a sign of dehydration

If your child has any of these signs, get medical help as soon as possible:

• during the day from Monday to Friday – it's best to call your general doctor
• if your baby is under 6 months old it's hard for a doctor or nurse to assess them over the phone – you can go to an urgent care (walk-in) centre or, if you're very worried, take them to accident and emergency (A&E)

Life First provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. Life First is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. It is strongly advised that you attend a First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.

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