Call 999 or go to A&E

The NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E if your baby:

  • is breathing very fast or with difficulty, including grunting or sucking in the tummy
  • has blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue, or cold or clammy skin
  • has a rash that does not fade when you press it
  • has a very high temperature: 38C or higher if under 3 months, or 39C or higher at 3 to 6 months
  • has a very low temperature (under 36C), or feels cold or shivery
  • has a weak, high-pitched or continuous cry
  • has fainted, is difficult to wake, or cannot be woken
  • hasn’t peed in 12 hours
  • is having a seizure (fit)
  • has swollen lips, tongue or throat, with trouble swallowing

Other signs to get medical help for

Call NHS 111 if you’re worried about any symptoms or aren’t sure what to do. The NHS also lists these as signs to get medical help:

  • Feeding and drinking: not feeding, no drink in the past 8 hours while awake (the 8 hours is for drinks only), has had no wet nappies or has not peed for at least 12 hours, vomiting for 24 hours, red, black or brown vomit, very smelly pee.
  • Breathing: working hard to breathe (sucking in the tummy or chest, nodding the head, flaring nostrils), pauses in breathing, irregular breathing, wheezing.
  • Colour: paler than usual, or yellow or blotchy skin. On black or brown skin, check the palms, soles, lips and inside of the cheek.
  • Behaviour: is floppy (if they are floppy and hard to wake, call 999), shows no interest in surroundings, is unusually agitated or can’t settle, has a stiff neck or can’t turn their head, isn’t using a limb normally, has hot or swollen joints, or the soft spot on your baby’s head looks swollen or is bulging.

Keep checking for new or changing symptoms, including overnight.

Taking your baby’s temperature

The NHS says a temperature of 38C or higher is a concern for babies under 3 months. If a reading is below 36C, check again 2 more times within 10 minutes.

Jaundice, poo and nappies

See newborn jaundice and newborn poo, wee and nappies.

Questions people ask

Who can I call if I’m not sure?

Call NHS 111 if you’re worried about any symptoms or aren’t sure what to do. For an emergency, call 999.

What temperature is an emergency?

For a baby under 3 months, a temperature of 38C or higher is an emergency: call 999 or go to A&E.

What if my baby has had a vaccine and has a temperature?

The NHS says a temperature of 39C or higher at 3 to 6 months is a concern, unless they have had a vaccine in the past 2 days. If you’re not sure, call NHS 111.

Should I take my baby to A&E or wait for the GP?

If any 999 sign above applies, call 999 or go to A&E. Otherwise, call NHS 111 or your GP surgery.

Read next

This article follows NHS England guidance. Services such as NHS Talking Therapies, the red book and health visitor visits are named differently in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so ask your midwife or health visitor what applies where you live. The 111 and 999 advice applies across the UK.

Sources: NHS: when to get urgent medical help for babies and children under 5; NHS: soothing a crying baby.

This is general information based on NHS guidance. Every body is different, so speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP if you’re unsure about anything.