It's worrying when your baby becomes sick. Knowing the symptoms of common baby illnesses is useful when making decisions for your baby’s well-being. Here's some advice about what to expect and how to keep your baby healthy in the first 12 months.

First Year

You may have concerns about your baby’s health during the first year. There are many common health conditions which can occur. A fever is always a concern in infants 0-3 months. Infants less than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 38° C or higher, or an armpit temperature of 37.5° C or higher should be seen by a doctor. Learn more about common health conditions that may occur in your baby’s first year.

• Bowel Movements in Babies      
• Common Health Concerns for Babies First Year
• Cradle Cap        
• Health and Safety, Birth to 2 Years         
• Healthy Hearing and Vision For Babies
• Immunization, Your Baby's First Year
• Understanding Flat Spots on Babies' Heads

Good nutrition during pregnancy increases the chances for your baby to have good dental health. This continues after birth, when you should continue to build good dental health habits. Keeping your gums and teeth healthy reduces the risk of transferring tooth decay bacteria to your child.  

• Basic Dental Care From Birth to 16 Years
• Dental Care From Birth to 6 Months
• Tongue-tie and tethered oral tissues

Your baby will begin teething around 6 months of age. In this section, learn more about common teething concerns and products.

• Reducing Biting in Children Ages 8 to 14 Months
• Reducing Biting in Teething Babies         
• Teething Products         
• Teething: Common Concerns    

If you suspect that your child is showing signs of social, physical or psychological developmental problems, speak to your healthcare professional. 

• Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip       
• Developmental Problems: Testing
• Failure to Thrive             

If your baby cries excessively, he or she may have colic. Although colic can be scary and frustrating for parents, it is considered normal - and temporary.  Learn more:

• Colic     
• Colic Diary         
• Colic: Harmful Treatments         

Your newborn will cough and sneeze to clear their nose and lungs, but this doesn’t mean they have a cold. Don’t give your baby cough or cold medicine unless recommended by your health care provider. A persistent cough, or a cough associated with a fever, or laboured breathing in an infant less than 3 months should always be assessed by a doctor to rule out infection. If your baby is over 3 months of age and has a cough that lasts longer than 3 weeks, or develops a fever or breathing difficulties, you should visit your doctor.

• Chronic Lung Disease in Infants 
• Comforting a Child Who Has a Respiratory Illness            
• Cough Symptoms in Children     
• Croup  
• Croup: Managing a Croup Attack             
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection
• Treating Asthma in Babies and Younger Children

Learn more about common concerns you may have about your baby’s health:

• Blocked Tear Ducts: Should My Baby Have a Probing Procedure?
• Cataracts in Children     
• Crying Child That Is Not Acting Normally
• Dehydration: Drinking Enough Fluids (Babies and Young Children)
• Ear Infection: Should I Give My Child Antibiotics?
• Gastroesophageal Reflux in Babies and Children
• Orchiopexy for Undescended Testicle    
• Umbilical Hernia in Children

Last Updated: June 2021