Bringing home a newborn is one of the most joyful moments in your life. It can also be exhausting and sometimes confusing. After all, babies don’t come with manuals. If you’re a first-time parent, it can be difficult to know what’s normal and what’s a cause for concern.

Aimee Reeder, MD, a pediatrician at Cincinnati Children’s Loveland Primary Care, shares one simple guideline: If you’re worried, call.

“Parents frequently worry they’re overreacting,” she says. “But part of our job is to help you figure out what’s healthy and what’s not. If it turns out to be nothing serious, that doesn’t mean it was a wasted phone call. We were able to give reassurance—and that matters.”

Nine Warning Signs to Watch For

Babies can get sick quickly, and early signs are often subtle. A small change in feeding, behavior or energy level may be your first clue.

Dr. Reeder recommends seeing a pediatrician if your baby:

1. Has a new or spreading rash, especially with fever
2. Has a persistent cough
3. Has a rectal temperature above 100.4°F
4. Has fewer than 2–3 wet diapers a day
5. Has forceful, projectile vomiting or spit-up that contains blood or green bile
6. Has redness or discharge around the belly button, eyes, nipples or diaper area
7. Is unusually fussy and cannot be consoled
8. Seems much sleepier than normal
9. Shows yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

10th Sign: Call About Any Feeding Concerns

Feeding concerns in newborns are especially common in the first few weeks. You may still be learning your baby’s hunger cues and patterns.

“Newborns sleep a lot, so it can be hard to tell if they’re getting the nutrition they need,” Dr. Reeder explains. “If your baby isn’t waking to feed or is skipping multiple feeds, that’s something we want to know about.”

When to Seek Emergency Newborn Care

Your pediatrician is your first call for most newborn health questions. But sometimes, your baby needs medical care right away rather than waiting for a callback.

“Newborns’ immune systems are still learning how to fight germs,” says Dr. Reeder. “That means an infection can affect their whole body faster than it would in an older child. Certain symptoms require urgent evaluation.”

Babies under 2 months old with a fever above 100.4°F should go straight to the Emergency Room. You should also seek emergency care if your newborn:

1. Has gray or bluish coloring around the mouth
2. Has trouble breathing
3. Is extremely lethargic, limp or difficult to wake

In-Person Care for Added Reassurance

Tools like telehealth and MyChart are helpful for quick questions about your child’s health. But you may feel most reassured having your baby examined in person.

During a clinic visit at Cincinnati Children’s Primary Care, your pediatrician performs a careful head-to-toe exam to check breathing, hydration and growth. Your pediatrician gets to know your child better with every visit. And you leave with added peace of mind knowing nothing was overlooked.

You Know Your Baby Best

One of the most important messages Dr. Reeder tells new parents is to trust themselves. Even if your baby is only a few days old, you can tell when something feels off.

We’re Here for Every Question

The newborn stage comes with a learning curve. There will be questions you expected—and many you didn’t. Having a trusted pediatrician means you don’t have to navigate those moments alone.