To take 11 week DS to doctor

[derryjojo]

Ever since my son was born 11 weeks ago I've anxiety level has skyrocketed. I keep thinking something is wrong.
On Sunday morning his temperature was low 37. I gave him some calpol as he has been teething and his temperature came down. Today I thought he felt a bit cool. His cheeks were Cool but really red. I checked his temperature with a Braun ear thermometer and it was 37.5. I gave him some more calpol a couple of hours ago and his temp is still 37.3. He has been sneezing and coughing more than normal today. He has peed normally and had a watery poo. But been smiling and laughing.

Sorry for the essay I didn't want to drip feed.

Aibu to ring the doctor or is my anxiety getting the better of me?

I wouldn't be too worried at that, 37 isn't classed as a fever and 37.5 is only very low level. As long as he isn't showing any signs of struggling personally I would wait and see.

That said 11 weeks is only little and no decent doctor is going to complain about checking them over even if just for peace of mind.

go with your gut instinct. if you think he is unwell then see a doctor. they will be able to assess him properly. with out knowing all the ins and outs of his delivery etc its just best to get your mind put at rest.

its tough when they are so tiny to know what to do but no doctor is going to be annoyed that you have sought help. good luck.

What is making your worry? To me is sounds like anxiety but there is no bar in going to see or speaking to a doctor. Little one can detoriate quickly and in my experience dr are alway happy to check over a young baby.

Even if it just your anxiety just ring the doctors and can them if your baby needs to be seen.

37.5 isn't really a fever, it's the border of normal. Giving paracetamol for a low fever can actually prolong the length of the illness illness. I personally don't give calpol to my child unless they are clearly in pain or uncomfortable with a fever.

It's probably just a cold - babies get lots of them and it's not dangerous, just annoying for them and you. HOWEVER, if you are worried then no decent GP will ever mind seeing a kid that young.

Second what Fruit said about Calpol though - don't give it just because the temp is high, only if they're upset or in pain with it. Fever is the body's natural reaction to fight infection.

I have quite bad anxiety and worry especially over my son and I'm trying hard not to overreact over everything. At this stage I don't trust my instinct.

Yes that's right, however in this instance the child doesn't even have a fever, so calpol would not be appropriate unless the baby is in significant pain with teething.

Oh OP I understand this feeling quite well.

Can you speak to your partner or your mum or a friend or someone ask them what they think?

Can you make a double appointment one for each of you? They can check DS to reassure you but you could also discuss your anxiety with them?

Can you call your hv? They may be able to visit you at home and talk to you about your anxiety, as well as have a look at your lo. It sounds like your lo is a touch under the weather but probably just a cold.

DH just said to keep giving him fluids, which I am. He's doesn't seem to gulp down his bottle as much as normal but is still drinking most of it.

Because I'm home alone all day with him check him constantly to make sure he's ok. Any slight change sends me into a spiral. I am getting cbt to try and minimise my anxiety and worry

That doesn't sound like a fever tbh but I understand the anxiety levels well. Around this time I thought there was something wrong with my ds as he wasn't eating as much in a sitting and was crying - turns out I just needed to go up to a number 2 teat
I took him to my lovely gp who managed to reassure me without saying how mad he probably thought I was.

Better idea: go and talk to the doctor about your anxiety. Perinatal mental health problems are SUPER common, and there is help available. I had talking therapies to help with my anxiety while pregnant because the hormones made me crazy.

Thank you all for your kind replies. I have been attending a therapy session after being referred by my gp. I knew I had a problem when my son brought up some bottle in his sleep and by husband a I were sleeping too. He began to choke. Luckily I woke up within seconds. But I was so scared I stayed awake for 4 nights straight making sure he was ok.

I'll not give him anymore calpol unless he looks like he's in pain or uncomfortable

I thought 37 degrees was a normal temperature?

But if you're worried, then GPS are usually happy to check over babies that young.
Getting a health visitor to look at the baby, either at home or in a baby clinic session if there's one nearby soon, is also a good idea, health visitors are all trained nurses so would be able to advise whether your baby needs to see a GP or whether it's something minor.

You do sound very anxious. Why are you checking his temp so much? Agree with the pp about not giving calpol so much as a slight temp helps kill bugs. Do you have any friends or family in real life you can chat to about your worries?

Op anxiety like this is horrible to cope with, I am glad your GP has referred you for further support.

I don't know if this is helpful, but I know some new mums found it to be useful.

www.lullabytrust.org.uk/file/The-Lullaby-Trust-Baby-Check-2015.pdf

Poor you! My baby is 11 weeks too, I know that anxiety. Definitely call your health visitor, mine came straight round when I was worried about my daughter's temperature a few weeks ago and really reassured me.

Nothing constructive to add but wanted to let you know I understand how you feel so, so well..

My son is 6 and I still panic if I think there might be something wrong.

I hope he is ok :)