While a newborn doesn't have a lot of muscle control, she typically kicks and squirms and waves her arms around. If she feels floppy all over or seems to lose muscle tone, she may have an infection, and you'll need to call the doctor.

Shakes

A quivery chin is cute, but if your baby seems to quiver all over, your doctor needs to find out why.

Older Baby Symptoms

If your baby is more than a month old, you don't need to be quite so quick to dial the doctor. But you should call if your baby:

• Is three to six months old and has an axillary (under the arm) fever higher than 101°F.

• Is over six months old has an axillary fever higher than 103°F.

• Has a fever for more than two days.

• Has a fever and a stiff neck, symptoms of meningitis (Check for this by holding a toy level with her face and then moving it toward the ground. If she can't follow its path by bringing her chin down to her chest, she may have a stiff neck).

• Is too sleepy (You may be relieved if your baby suddenly starts to sleep all day and night, but a big jump in sleepiness is not normal and may indicate an infection).

• Cries excessively.

• Vomits persistently (after every feeding within twelve hours), or if the vomit contains blood.

• Seems dehydrated (If your baby seems to be peeing a lot less than usual — i.e., you're changing fewer diapers — there is a problem.)

• Has trouble breathing (the skin between her ribs may suck in with each breath), or breathes extremely rapidly (more than forty breaths a minute).

• Has persistent bluish lips or fingernails (babies can briefly turn blue from the cold, or from crying).

• Has a cough that lasts longer than two weeks (although check with your doctor when your baby first develops a cough), or has a whooping or barking cough.

• Has eye inflammation or discharge.

• Has a rash that covers much of her body.