Once you are back home, make an appointment with the pediatrician chosen before the birth to monitor the health and development of your child.
Stool color
The stool color of a newborn during the first month of its life may reveal some diseases of the liver. To facilitate screening, you will be given a color chart that will be explained to you by your pediatrician. If the stool is discolored, a further examination should be undertaken without delay. The chart must be given to the pediatrician during the first check-up at 1 month of life. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the doctor.
For further information : BASCA
Fever
A body temperature above 38 °C is considered a fever. This is a reaction which indicates that the body is fighting an infection. It is also prevalent with common diseases such as colds. In the majority of cases, it disappears without the need for treatment.
There are several ways of taking the temperature, for example under the arm (axillary) or in the rectum (rectal), which is the most reliable method until the age of 1 year. Forehead or temporal thermometers are not very precise.
For further information :
+ INFO
Use of a tympanic thermometer (in the ear canal) is not recommended under the age of 2 years.
When should you contact your pediatrician ?
Immediately if:
- your newborn (less than 3 months) has a fever, consult the pediatrician promptly, even if the baby does not seem to be sick
- the condition of your child worries you
- your child has a pale complexion and does not react to its surroundings
- the baby is coughing a lot and breathing very fast
- the baby has small red-violet dots on the skin which spread rapidly
- the baby is not showing the usual signs of alertness or is irritable. The baby is vomiting and no longer wants to eat.
In the course of the day if the fever:
- lasts for more than 3 days
- occurs several days after a cold or the beginning of a cough
- is accompanied by pain in the throat, ear, stomach or when urinating
- if your baby is crying a lot and you feel that you are losing patience.
Pediatric emergencies : + 41(0)22 372 45 55
Life-threatening emergencies : 144
Vaccination
The Swiss vaccination plan recommends different basic vaccinations during childhood against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b infections, measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B and chicken pox. Added to this is vaccination against the human papilloma virus (HPV) in adolescence.
For further information :
Immediate circle vaccinated against whooping cough = protected baby
Whooping cough is especially dangerous in children under six months old. It causes such bouts of coughing that some babies can no longer suckle or breathe. More than half of such babies need to be hospitalized to avoid serious complications. To protect your baby, check your own immunization protection against this disease and make sure everyone in your immediate surroundings has also been vaccinated (parents, older siblings, grandparents, close friends and babysitters).
For further information : brochure Entourage vacciné contre la coqueluche = bébé protégé
