First signs of trouble: what to watch for in your newborn's care

Signs in your baby that need a call to your pediatrician

Your caregiver should flag these to you immediately — and you should never wait on them. This is general guidance, not medical advice; always follow your pediatrician.

• Fewer wet diapers than expected, or dark urine.
• Feeds steadily dropping, or a baby too sleepy to finish bottles.
• Weight not returning toward birth weight in the first two weeks.
• Fever, unusual floppiness, difficulty breathing or yellowing skin that deepens.
• Persistent vomiting (not just spit-up) or inconsolable crying.

Signs in the routine

• No shared record of feeds, diapers and sleep — whether your family chooses an app or paper — or entries that are vague.
• Feeding amounts that are not building week to week.
• A sleep plan that keeps changing without explanation.
• Equipment not sterilized, bottles not staged, or the nursery left disordered.

Signs in the caregiver relationship

• You feel more anxious after handoffs, not less.
• Your questions are brushed off, or your preferences are ignored.
• Your pediatrician's instructions are not being followed.
• Frequent phone use, dozing on night shift or late arrivals.
• Your intuition keeps telling you something is off.

What to do next

Raise concerns early and specifically. A professional will welcome it, adjust and show you in the log. If the same issues repeat after an honest conversation, it may be time to consider a change.