Yes, a newborn can get sick because their immune system is immature and infections can progress quickly in early weeks.
Bringing a baby home feels both joyful and nerve wracking, and one of the first questions many parents ask is, can a newborn get sick easily. Tiny bodies have less practice fighting germs, so even mild bugs can throw them off balance. The goal is not to live in fear of every sneeze, but to understand where real risks lie and what you can do day by day.
Can A Newborn Get Sick? Common Causes In Early Weeks
Yes, a newborn can get sick from many of the same germs that affect older children and adults, but the effect on their body can be faster and more severe. A baby’s immune system is still developing, they have tiny airways and blood volumes, and they cannot tell you with words that they feel unwell. Small changes in feeding, breathing, or alertness can be the first clues.
Most illnesses in the first months come from viruses and bacteria picked up from close contacts or the wider world. Some begin around birth, while others arrive later from visitors, siblings, or public spaces.
Common Sources Of Germs Around A Newborn
Germs travel through droplets in the air, on hands, and on surfaces such as door handles, phones, and changing areas. Family life cannot stop, yet learning the main routes helps you decide where to tighten habits and where a relaxed approach is fine.
| Source | How Germs Reach A Newborn | Helpful Way To Cut Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Parents And Siblings With Colds | Coughing, sneezing, kissing, shared towels or cups | Frequent handwashing, tissues, and avoiding face kisses while sick |
| Visitors | Close cuddles, passing the baby from person to person | Limit visitors, ask sick friends to wait, offer hand gel at the door |
| Public Places | Busy waiting rooms, public transport, crowded shops | Keep trips brief, use a canopy on the pram, avoid peak crowds |
| Unwashed Hands | Feeding, diaper changes, touching the baby’s face | Wash with soap before handling the baby or bottles |
| Older Children’s Toys | Shared toys with drool or nasal mucus | Rotate and clean toys, keep small parts out of reach |
| Hospital Or Clinic Visits | Exposure to other sick patients and shared surfaces | Carry your own blanket, use hand gel, avoid waiting areas when possible |
| Food And Milk Handling | Contaminated bottles, breast pump parts, or formula | Follow safe cleaning steps and prepare feeds as directed |
Newborn Getting Sick From Germs: Day-To-Day Risks
Many parents worry that any trip outside the house will make a newborn sick. Short outings in fresh air usually carry lower risk than long stretches in crowded indoor spaces. The bigger concern is close contact with people who have symptoms such as coughing, fever, or stomach bugs.
Good hand hygiene helps more than constant surface cleaning. Health services all over the world list handwashing with soap and water as one of the strongest tools to block infection spread, both in hospitals and in homes. Simple steps like washing before feeds, after diaper changes, and when you return home set a strong base.
Warning Signs That A Newborn Is Sick
Newborns change from day to day, and not every odd cry means trouble. That said, certain patterns signal illness and should never be ignored. Services such as the NHS guidance on serious illness signs list symptoms that mean a baby needs urgent assessment.
General Signs Of Illness
These changes can point toward a viral or bacterial infection, feeding problem, or other medical issue. One sign alone may not tell the whole story, yet a clear shift from your baby’s usual pattern deserves attention.
- Feeding poorly or refusing feeds for more than one or two sessions
- Much fewer wet diapers than usual, or no urine for more than six hours
- Sleeping far more than normal and hard to wake for feeds
- Unusual limpness, weak crying, or a cry that sounds sharp and high pitched
- Breathing faster than normal, grunting, or flaring nostrils
- Skin that looks pale, bluish, or mottled, especially around lips or tongue
- A soft spot on the head that bulges or looks sunken
Fever And Low Temperature In Newborns
Temperature changes in young babies call for fast attention. A rectal temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher in a baby under three months is treated as an emergency in many medical systems. At the other end, a low temperature below 36°C (96.8°F) that does not rise with skin to skin contact or extra layers can also hint at infection or other serious illness.
Clinical groups such as the Mayo Clinic stress that parents should not give fever medicine to a young infant before speaking with a doctor. Instead, call your pediatric service, emergency line, or local helpline and follow their advice without delay if they sound concerned about anything.
When Illness Becomes An Emergency
Some signs mean you should seek help straight away, even if you are not fully sure what is happening. Acting early can shorten hospital stays and protect your baby from complications.
Red Flag Symptoms
Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department if your newborn shows any of these signs:
- Struggling to breathe, with pauses, grunting, or chest pulling in with each breath
- Bluish or grey lips, tongue, or face
- Seizure activity such as stiffening, jerking, or staring spells
- No response to touch or voice, or you cannot wake the baby
- Fever at or above 38°C (100.4°F) in a baby under three months
- Green vomit, blood in vomit, or blood in stool
- Sudden rash with purple spots that do not fade when pressed
When To Call The Doctor Urgently
Not every problem needs an ambulance, yet many situations still require same day medical review. Call your doctor, clinic, or local nurse line without delay if:
- Your baby feeds less and less across the day, or cannot stay awake to finish feeds
- Vomiting happens with force several times, or the baby shows signs of dehydration
- Cough and breathing noise worsen over hours, not better with suction or upright holding
- You see fewer wet diapers, dark strong smelling urine, or dry lips and mouth
- Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) appears or deepens after you leave the hospital
- A healing belly button turns red, swollen, or starts to smell bad
How To Lower Your Newborn’s Risk Of Getting Sick
Parents cannot remove all germs from a baby’s world, and total isolation can raise stress for everyone at home. The aim is smart protection, based on what science tells us about how infections spread. Small routine steps often beat dramatic one time efforts.
Hand Hygiene And Clean Surfaces
Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before holding the baby, after using the toilet, after blowing your nose, and before preparing feeds. If you cannot reach a sink, an alcohol based hand gel is a good backup. Encourage visitors to wash when they arrive and before they hold the baby.
Clean surfaces that see frequent contact, such as changing tables, crib rails, and door handles. You do not need to scrub the whole house each day; aim for the spots that hands touch most. The CDC infection prevention guidance underlines the value of hand hygiene and regular cleaning in settings that care for young children.
Limiting Exposure During Peak Illness Seasons
Cold and flu season, and peaks of viruses such as RSV or whooping cough, bring higher risks for newborns. During these months, shorten stays in crowded indoor spaces and rethink visits from sick relatives. Mask use for adults with mild residual symptoms may lower spread in some settings, especially during close contact such as feeding or burping.
Vaccination for family members and caregivers, including vaccines advised in pregnancy, reduces the chance that a virus reaches the baby in the first place. Ask your healthcare team which shots are recommended in your region and situation.
Safe Feeding And Sleep Habits
Whether you use breast milk, formula, or a mix, safe handling of bottles and pump parts matters. Wash parts in hot soapy water, rinse well, and let them air dry on a clean rack. Prepare formula with the right water temperature and follow storage instructions on the tin or from your nurse or doctor.
Place your newborn on their back to sleep, on a firm flat surface with no loose blankets, pillows, or soft toys. Safe sleep lowers the risk of sudden infant death and also helps you spot color or breathing changes more easily during naps and at night.
Newborn Illness Symptoms And Next Steps: Simple Reference Table
This table gives a quick overview of common signs that a newborn is sick and what kind of response usually fits. It cannot replace advice from a doctor who knows your baby, but it can guide a first reaction while you seek help.
| Symptom | Example Pattern | Suggested Action |
|---|---|---|
| Mild Stuffy Nose | Sniffles, light cough, feeding mostly normal | Saline drops, upright feeds, monitor for change |
| Feeding Less Than Usual | Skipping two feeds or taking half feeds | Call doctor within the day for advice |
| Fever 38°C Or Higher | Warm body, unsettled, under three months old | Seek emergency care straight away |
| Fast Or Hard Breathing | Ribs pulling in, grunting, flaring nostrils | Call emergency services or go to hospital |
| Vomiting With Force | Several forceful episodes in one day | Urgent call to doctor or nurse line |
| New Rash | Spots or patches, with or without fever | Same day doctor review, faster if baby seems unwell |
| Unusual Sleepiness | Hard to wake, short or weak cry | Seek urgent medical help |
Answering The Core Question About Newborn Illness
Many parents quietly wonder, ‘can a newborn get sick?’ every time someone coughs near the baby, kisses their face, or asks to hold them straight after coming through the door.
Once you already accept that ‘can a newborn get sick?’ has a clear yes for an answer, you start to track small changes sooner, write them down, and feel more confident about calling for medical help when something does not seem right.
Keep a small notebook or phone app where you log feeds, diapers, temperatures, and new symptoms, so you can share a clear picture with doctors and nurses if your newborn gets sick or needs to stay in hospital, and so any person helping you can step in and see what has already been done during the night, early in the morning, and on busy days for you.