1 year old baby I'm really worried

[40yearoldmerging]

Just asking for a bit of reassurance really.
Please don't make me feel worse I'm calling docs tomorrow.
Baby has been ill for a few days. Temp was 38 but now 37.4 so not too high. But skin feels hot to the touch still.
Refusing food, still breastfeeding but really lethargic and sleeping all day.

When I ring drs (assuming I can get an appointment) what realistically can they do?
I have older children and none of them have ever been this out of it unless they had diarrhea and vomiting, flu or chicken pox.
I don't know what to do but my Mommy Alarm is screaming something is wrong.
Initially I was thinking its just teething, but with my older ones they had a little temperature and cried more, never fell asleep all day or refused all food even ice cream or cold yoghurt or cold baby puree. Such a happy baby but he won't even smile.

[40yearoldmerging]

He had a 2 minute play with a ball earlier and I thought Great he's getting better but it really knocked it out of him

[Aberforthsgoat]

Can you call 111 rather than waiting for a doctor? Does he have a rash or anything anywhere?

[AliBear90]

I would ring 111 to be honest. I’m a nurse and we always say the parents concern is one of the most telling things in sick babies. If they’re lethargic and not doing their normal activities I’d want my child checking. If they go floppy they need checking immediately and obviously keep an eye for rashes erc

[moita]

Ring or call 111. Could just be a cold but little children can go downhill so quickly.

I thought I was overreacting with my daughter but took her to A&E and she had a nasty virus (not Covid) and was admitted!

[FelicityBennett]

I think you should ring 111 tonight, the lethargy is a warning sign for a more serious illness in children. The height or lack of temperature can sometimes be a red herring as children can be very unwell with no temperature.
I think from what you’ve written he needs seeing and examining .
Does he have wet nappies?

[YukoandHiro]

If you're worried get him checked. Your concern will we be enough to get a appt through 111. Give them a call.

[Aberforthsgoat]

Correct me if I’m wrong @AliBear90 as you’re a nurse so will know better than me but I’ve always been told that you look at the child not just the number so while his temp might not be high he’s not himself so needs to get checked out
My DS Runs warm so often feels hot to touch but the times he has been poorly it’s been very obvious as he’s not himself off his food etc


Doctor can check chest, ears and throat for infection and also refer for bloods to check for bacterial infection. They can also check for UTI

[nanbread]

If he's still bf and seeing that's a good sign and that temp is not high (my son gets a 41 with a virus), but trust your instincts.

[Cleverpolly3]

Get him checked over ASAP
Hope all is ok

[40yearoldmerging]

No rash or anything like that
@moita what did she have? and what do they do when they admit them?
I am worried because usually he runs me ragged and he just isn't interested in anything

[BiggerBetterHealthier]

What can they do?

They can look at his throat, ears, listen his chest, check he has enough oxygen on his system, prescribe antibiotics if he's got an infection, there's a lot they can do.

[Mads123]

Another vote for 111, a high temperature isn't usually a concern but the not eating and the lethargy is worrying. Hope they are back to their happy self soon.

[KurtWilde]

How long has he been lethargic? Could it be the heat getting him down?

[ohfourfoxache]

If Mummy Alarm is ringing you just need to listen to it

Trust yourself (I know it’s hard when you’re faced with a little one who isn’t themselves). DS2 has been under the weather for a few days before now, and when I saw the Dr I absolutely kicked myself for not getting him seen sooner (chest infection, pre Covid)

[bananamonkey]

I would call 111. My baby was a bit like this last week but not as extreme, off food, very miserable and slept all morning one day, wanted to be on me constantly, very unlike her. I saw the GP in the end as even though she got a lot brighter the temperature was lingering and she confirmed a respiratory infection. She said they’re seeing loads of it in children at the moment as everyone starts mixing again.

I hope everything’s ok x

[Moonshine11]

Being lethargic is a warning sign op.
Ring 111

[TidyOmlette]

Another vote for calling 111. As a healthcare worker seeing parental concern is a big thing. You know your baby best, if somethings wrong you know it.

Better to get the wee one checked sooner

[SwanShaped]

I’d also phone 111 if you’re worried. There’s no point worrying if you don’t have to. They can check ears and throat. However my daughter often used to get what your child has (whatever it is) and was always fine. So don’t panic!

[nocoolnamesleft]

Not perking up with the temperature coming down is actually a worrying sign. A lot of minor childhood illness, they look rubbish when they're hot , but look fine when the temperature comes down. Put that together with the lethargy and I'd be another person advising a call to 111 tonight.

[Sunshinesandice]

Have you called 111 op? X

[AlbusSeverusMalfoy]

Another 'vote' for 111. You said this isn't normal for him and it's been a while so sounds like he needs seeing. I'm usually very wait and see but from what you've said, I'd call.

[Thelnebriati]

If they are lethargic, floppy or clammy, or if your senses are saying 'thats not right' just call 111.

[Vebrithien]

I had similar with DS (just turned 1) last week. Fever 6 days prior, negative covid test. Very lethargic, got a GP appointment, on the way there I noticed he was puffing his belly out to breathe.

GP took one look at him, and told me to drive him straight to A&E "as it will be quicker in your car than waiting for an ambulance".

10 mins later, he was in Resus, with 7 doctors and nurses around him, oxygen sats of 85%.

He spent 4 days in hospital, 3 of them on oxygen (doing fine now). His main (initial) symptoms were a lack of interest in anything and no appetite.

[nanbread]

@Vebrithien

I had similar with DS (just turned 1) last week. Fever 6 days prior, negative covid test. Very lethargic, got a GP appointment, on the way there I noticed he was puffing his belly out to breathe.

GP took one look at him, and told me to drive him straight to A&E "as it will be quicker in your car than waiting for an ambulance".

10 mins later, he was in Resus, with 7 doctors and nurses around him, oxygen sats of 85%.

He spent 4 days in hospital, 3 of them on oxygen (doing fine now). His main (initial) symptoms were a lack of interest in anything and no appetite.

That sound really scary, what caused it?

[PixieDust28]

When your child isn't their self just like you've mentioned. Sleeping all day. Not interested in food. Please please do not wait until tomorrow.

Is he floppy? Is he sensitive to light? If any of these phone 999.

If you think you can wait for 111, do that but personally I'd take him down to A&E. you don't have to phone prior with children's A&E go straight down. They will have a good look at him. He might be admitted if he is dehydrated x