Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services or go to emergency care now if your baby:
Is struggling to breathe, turns blue, or has pauses in breathing
Is very difficult to wake, unusually floppy, or unresponsive
Has a seizure
Has green vomit, vomits blood, or has a severely swollen belly
May have a serious injury or may have been shaken
Has a purple or red rash that does not fade when pressed
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek urgent, same-day medical assessment if your baby:
Is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C or higher
Has continuous, inconsolable, or unusually high-pitched crying
Is feeding much less, repeatedly vomiting, or producing fewer wet diapers
Has blood in the stool
Has a bulging soft spot on the head while calm
Has swelling or redness in the groin or scrotum
Looks unwell or behaves very differently from usual
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine appointment if crying remains difficult to manage, is worsening, regularly affects feeding or sleep, or you are worried about growth.
Feeding support can also help if feeds are painful, very long, or stressful.
The article also says
Trust your sense that something has changed.
You do not need to wait for every warning sign before seeking advice.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Crying in infancy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.