To freak out when baby gets ill

[Blindspot82]

My 11 month-old baby boy has bacterial tonsillitis - he's been prescribed amoxicillin and is gradually on the mend. All good. But AIBU to panic over the situation when baby is ill? He had a nasty cold last weekend, and I convinced myself he had meningitis, I felt sick with fear. I got myself in such a state that I entered the Dr's surgery crying in a complete panic.

My first son had recurring bouts of tonsillitis from the age of 6 months to a year - I felt horribly anxious every time. Found it very hard to cope with - anxiety was through the roof. Most other things I'm laid back with - just illness in babies really freaks me out. I always imagine the WORST possible scenario and can't seem to control my anxiety. I can't seem to see the wood for the trees at these times. For some reason it's a trigger for me. AIBU? Does anyone else get like this?

You need more information, OP. I have tendencies toward this so I went on a a paediatric first aid course and they said:

• if you suspect meningitis, check the soft spot. If that's gone hard or bulging then you go for the ambulance, otherwise, in the absence of massive red-flag symptoms or a total change in demeanour, there's no need to panic.

You need to make sure you know the watch-signs for each major illness (sepsis, meningitis etc) and if any of those appear in conjunction with them being very not themselves, then straight to a and e.

When I had DD the hospital gave me an 'is my baby really ill?' booklet that gives you a list of examinations to do at home when you're worried and a suggested course of action for each outcome- that's been very helpful at times.

Also, 111 are very useful if you're worried but suspect it's just you being neurotic IME.

if you suspect meningitis, check the soft spot. If that's gone hard or bulging then you go for the ambulance, otherwise, in the absence of massive red-flag symptoms or a total change in demeanour, there's no need to panic.

I'm going to qualify this statement by saying I mean 'suspect meningitis' in the way that I vaguely suspect meningitis every time DD has a sniffle, not 'suspect meningitis' in the way that your kid actually has symptoms of meningitis.

If you actually suspect meningitis and have reason to do so then go straight for 999.