Common Infant and Newborn Problems

Summary
It is hard when your baby is sick. Common health problems in babies include colds, coughs, fevers, and vomiting. Babies also commonly have skin problems, like diaper rash or cradle cap.

Many of these problems are not serious. It is important to know how to help your sick baby, and to know the warning signs for more serious problems. Trust your intuition - if you are worried about your baby, call your health care provider right away.

Treatments and Therapies
Benzocaine and Babies: Not a Good Mix (Food and Drug Administration)
Also in Spanish
Diaper Rash: How to Treat (American Academy of Dermatology)
Do Not Give Infants Cough and Cold Products Designed for Older Children (Food and Drug Administration)
Have a Baby or Young Child With a Cold? Most Don't Need Medicines (Food and Drug Administration)
Also in Spanish
How to Give Your Child Medicine (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also in Spanish
Treating Vomiting (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Related Issues
Finding a Doctor for Your New Baby (Nemours Foundation)
Also in Spanish
Sick Baby? When to Seek Medical Attention (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Talking to the Pharmacist (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation)
Also in Spanish
Talking to Your Child's Doctor (Nemours Foundation)
Also in Spanish
Specifics
Baby Acne (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Colic (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Colic (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also in Spanish
Common Cold in Babies: Symptoms and Causes (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Coughing (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation)
Also in Spanish
Diaper Rash (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Diaper Rash (Nemours Foundation)
Ear Infections (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also in Spanish
Facts about Jaundice and Kernicterus (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Fever and Taking Your Child's Temperature (Nemours Foundation)
Also in Spanish
First Aid: Diaper Rash (Nemours Foundation)
Flat Head Syndrome (Positional Plagiocephaly) (Nemours Foundation)
Jaundice in Healthy Newborns (Nemours Foundation)
Also in Spanish
Milia (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Oral Thrush (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation)
Plagiocephaly (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Tear-Duct Obstruction and Surgery (Nemours Foundation)
Also in Spanish
Vomiting (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation)
Also in Spanish
Your Child's Vision (Nemours Foundation)
Also in Spanish
Your Colicky Baby (Nemours Foundation)
Also in Spanish
Images
Blue-Gray Spot (Mongolian Spot) (Logical Images)
Candidiasis, Diaper Dermatitis (Logical Images)
Dermatitis, Diaper Irritant (Logical Images)
Milia (Logical Images)
Miliaria Rubra (Logical Images)
Health Check Tools
Elimination Problems in Infants and Children (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also in Spanish
Feeding Problems in Infants (DSHI Systems)
Feeding Problems in Infants and Children (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also in Spanish
Fever in Infants and Children (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Fussiness in Infants (DSHI Systems)
Mouth Problems in Infants and Children (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also in Spanish
Nausea and Vomiting in Infants and Children (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also in Spanish