Be ready to answer questions

To help the medical staff know what's happening with your baby, be ready to answer questions about:

• Your baby's symptoms. What led you to seek medical care for your baby?
• Your baby's medical history. Does your baby have allergies? Are your baby's vaccines current? Does your baby have ongoing conditions? Be ready to share details about your pregnancy and the baby's birth.
• Changes in your baby's feeding and stool passing. Have you noticed changes in your baby's eating or drinking patterns? Are there more or fewer wet diapers? Have you seen changes in the number, volume, or consistency of your baby's stool?
• Changes in your baby's temperature. What's your baby's temperature? How did you take it? At what time?
• Home remedies and medicines. Does your baby take any medicines, including those you can get without a prescription? If so, what, how much, and when? If you suspect your child ate poison or medicines, bring the bottle with you.
• Whether your baby's been around anyone who's ill. Has anyone ill been near your baby? This could be at home or at child care. Have you traveled with your baby recently? Do all your family members have recent vaccines, such as the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine?
• Injury. Has your baby had any falls or head bumps or been shaken?

Before you contact your baby's healthcare professional, be ready to take notes. Write down the advice you get. Have the number of your pharmacy ready too.

Being prepared will save you and your baby's healthcare professional time during a phone call, office visit, or in an emergency.