Crying in childhood: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services now if your child:

   • Is struggling to breathe, turns blue or grey, or has pauses in breathing
   • Is unresponsive, extremely difficult to wake, or having a seizure
   • Has a serious head injury or may have swallowed poison
   • Has severe swelling of the face or tongue
   • May be in immediate danger from abuse or injury
   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
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Seek urgent, same-day medical care if:

   • A baby under 3 months has a temperature of 38°C or higher
   • Crying is continuous, severe, or cannot be soothed
   • The cry sounds unusually weak, high-pitched, or unlike your child's normal cry
   • Your child has a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or marked drowsiness
   • There is green vomit, blood in vomit or stool, severe belly swelling, or intense belly pain
   • Your child is feeding poorly or has noticeably fewer wet nappies
   • There is painful swelling in the groin or scrotum
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Arrange a routine appointment if crying keeps returning, disrupts feeding or sleep, or is affecting family life.

   Older children may need support if crying is linked to persistent sadness, anxiety, school avoidance, bullying, or loss of interest in usual activities.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Crying in childhood. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.