Updated June 08, 2015.

Knowing when to call your pediatrician or baby's doctor can be a tricky thing for new parents. You're worried, but you don't want to seem like a frantic new parent.

Rest assured that your pediatrician is used to dealing with new parents. Be sure to ask when you go to see them for an initial visit or for one of your well baby check ups what they would like to be called for and what can wait until the next visit.

When considering contacting your pediatrician decide:

• Can this call wait until the office is open?
• Is this an urgent question or problem that needs to be addressed immediately?
• Should I call 911 rather than my pediatrician?
• Can this question wait until the next visit?

Some Reasons to Call Your Pediatrician Now

• Your baby is 3 months or younger with a fever over 100.4 degrees F
• Your three - six month old has a fever over 105 degrees F
• Your baby becomes yellow looking
• Crying hysterically
• Difficulty awakening your child
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures

Some Reasons to Call Your Pediatrician in the Morning

• Feeding difficulties
• Your three - six month old has a fever.
• Baby pulls on ears overnight.
• Draining or oozing from the penis (particularly following circumcision)
• Foul smelling vaginal discharge
• You have a question about development, behavior or feeding.
• Nasal drainage that is discolored or malodorous

When to Call 911

• Difficulty breathing
• If your baby becomes pale or bluish color of the lips or nails

• Profuse bleeding
• Baby is unresponsive

This list is not complete, just some common reasons parents have for calling their pediatrician. When in doubt call your pediatrician.

What to say when you call:

• Your name and phone number
• Your baby's name
• Your baby's age
• When you were last in the office
• Significant medical history, including medication
• Signs and symptoms your baby is having and how long
• Number of your pharmacy
• Closest hospital that your pediatrician sees patients