Faltering weight: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services if your child is unresponsive, has severe difficulty breathing, looks blue or grey, or has green vomit with a swollen or very painful abdomen.

   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

   Arrange review sooner for a young baby or if the change is rapid.

   Seek same-day medical advice if your child:

   • Is feeding poorly and passing much less urine
   • Is unusually sleepy, weak, or difficult to keep awake
   • Has repeated vomiting or cannot keep fluids down
   • Has persistent diarrhoea with signs of dehydration
   • Is losing weight and appears generally unwell
   • Coughs, chokes, sweats, or becomes breathless during feeds

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • is getting rapidly more short of breath, or has gained several pounds in a few days with swelling
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Book a routine appointment if your child is gaining weight more slowly than expected, has crossed down growth chart lines, is losing weight without a clear reason, or has continuing feeding difficulties.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has noticed a lump, a mole that has changed, or unexplained weight loss
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

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