When Is It Time to Call the Pediatrician?
I had my 3-month-old son swaddled last night in addition to wearing a footed sleeper because the house was nice and cold. But during the night the air conditioner broke and in the morning it was really warm. The baby had sweated through the swaddle and his skin was cool and clammy (which I know is a sign of heat exhaustion). I immediately unwrapped and undressed him and wiped him down with a damp washcloth. He was very drowsy, but he nursed and didn't vomit. I don't know whether or not to worry. He smiles and nurses while awake, but he is sleeping a lot more today than usual. What should I be looking for to determine if he needs to see a doctor?
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Madelyn Fernstrom, Ph.D.
iVillage Health Editor-at-Large Madelyn H. Fernstrom, Ph.D., CNS, is the Today show’s Diet and Nutrition Editor as well as the... Read more
At 3 months old, you should feel comfortable calling your pediatrician for any concerns. You certainly sound like you are on the right track with your instincts and actions. Your baby was feeding, and drinking fluids - both of which are good. If your baby's behavior is back to normal - including the standard pattern of a wet diaper (an index of water balance), it sounds as if you've solved the problem. Babies eat, sleep, and soil their diapers - all of which are perfectly normal.
If these are different, you'll always want to make a call. The drowsiness could be connected or not. I'm not a pediatrician, but I would certainly phone your doctor, to make sure that there are no other steps you need to do, or if you need to bring the baby in for a visit.
A big mistake many new mothers make is to not "bother" the pediatrician. Most practices have call in with the doctor at particular times, but you should always feel comfortable calling your doctor's office. No question is too small, if it is important to you.
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