At what point do we need to bring our baby to a doctor?

Common reasons would include troubled, difficulty in breathing, convulsions, crying and listless for no apparent reason, breathing with grunting or wheezing, unusually pale ashen complexion, dehydration signs, loud or wheezy cough, diarrhea lasting longer than eight hours, bad-smelling poo from a breastfed baby, refusing several feeds in a row, abnormally low temperature and unusual rash or strange lump. It is rare for a newborn (under three months of age) to have a fever, and fevers in newborns can be very serious. If your newborn has a temperature of 38°C or higher, contact your GP or hospital Emergency Department quick smart.  A longer list is indicated in page 281.