When your little one is sick, everyone in the house is miserable. Sick babies are irritable because they don't feel good, so they cry a lot. Your child might reject food and want to lie around and snuggle all day. Babies aren't able to express their feelings through words, and just as it's difficult to tell when they are getting sick, it can be difficult to tell when they're starting to feel better.
Step 1
Take your child's temperature. Many illnesses, such as ear infections and flu, cause fevers in varying degrees. If your child has had a fever, the absence of one is an indicator that she is on the upswing and starting to feel better.
Step 2
Monitor his eating habits. When babies don't feel well, their appetite often decreases. He may not nurse as often as normal or he may take less formula. Once he starts to feel better, his appetite will improve and return to normal.
Step 3
Observe for frequency of diarrhea or vomiting if your baby experienced those symptoms during the illness. Loose stools will begin to firm up and vomiting will subside once your baby begins to recover.
Step 4
Monitor her activity level throughout the day and watch for clues that your child is feeling better as she begins to play. She may interact more and be interested in her toys, whereas when she wasn't feeling well, she might have lain quietly.
Step 5
Watch for his symptoms to disappear. Whether your child had a runny nose, a cough, a skin rash or other symptoms, once the symptoms begin to go away or improve, your baby will likely start to feel better.
Tips and Warnings
- If you have any questions regarding your child's health, do not hesitate to contact her pediatrician. If your baby seems to be getting worse and not better, has a fever over 103 degrees, refuses to eat or drink or is difficult to wake up, contact medical help immediately.
Things You'll Need
- thermometer
