How will I know when my baby is sick?

A lot of first-time parents worry that they will fail to pick up on the warning signs that their baby is seriously ill. Fortunately, most quickly discover that their “parent radar” is more finely tuned than they thought and that they are able to zero in on the following symptoms of illness with relatively little difficulty:

■ Runny nose (usually caused by a viral infection such as the common cold, but can also be triggered by allergies or chemical sensitivities);

■ Coughing (can be caused by the common cold, allergies, exposure to cigarette smoke and other irritants, or chronic lung diseases);

■ Wheezing (caused by the narrowing of the air passages in the lungs and the presence of excess mucus in the major airways);

■ Croup (a noisy, seal-like bark that is caused by an inflammation of the windpipe below the vocal cords);

■ Diarrhea and/or abdominal cramps (can be triggered by a gastrointestinal problem, a food sensitivity, or other illnesses);

■ Vomiting (caused by a related illness and generally only cause for concern if your child is becoming dehydrated);

■ Changes to your baby’s skin color (e.g., extreme paleness or extreme flushedness; can be the result of a systemic or localized infection);

■ Rashes (caused by a viral or bacterial infection or an allergic reaction to a food, medication, or other substances);

■ Behavioral changes such as extreme fussiness or lethargy (caused by an illness or infection);

■ Fever (caused by an infection, a reaction to an immunization, or overdressing your baby).

Source : The Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby. Second Edition . Ann Douglas and John R. Sussman, M.D. 2004