What should I write down before taking my sick baby to the doctor?

The short answer

Before the appointment, make a short timeline of what’s happening: when the symptoms started, how they’ve changed and what you’ve noticed about your baby. Also write down their feeds, wet diapers, behaviour and any medicine they’ve already had. These details can help you explain the situation clearly to a health care professional.

You don’t have to figure out the cause or decide on your own whether a symptom is serious. Your role is to describe what you’re seeing. If you’re unsure whether your baby should be seen, call Info-Santé 811, option 1. A nurse can assess the situation and guide you to the right care. If it’s an emergency, call 911. (Government of Quebec)

Before calling the clinic or heading out

Write a note on your phone or on paper. Brief, specific observations are enough. If several people care for your baby—your co-parent, a babysitter or a family member—ask what they noticed and when. A detail that seems small may help fill in the picture.

Start with these points:

• When it started: When did you first notice a change? Did it happen suddenly or gradually?
• How it’s changed: What’s getting better, getting worse or staying the same? Are there times when your baby seems more or less comfortable?
• The main symptom: What worries you most today? Describe what you’ve observed rather than trying to name an illness.
• The context: Has your baby recently had a vaccine, tried a new food or been around someone who was sick? Also mention any known health conditions or allergies, if applicable.

If you’re booking by phone, first explain what concerns you most and give your baby’s age. If their condition changes before the appointment, call the clinic again or ask 811 for guidance rather than relying on a note that may no longer reflect what’s happening.

What to track while your baby is sick

Make a simple list; you don’t need to measure everything. The goal is to be able to answer practical questions about what’s usual for your baby and what has changed.

• Temperature: If you’ve taken it, write down the reading, the time and the method—for example, under the arm or rectally. Don’t adjust the reading or try to draw a conclusion from it; share exactly what you did. Quebec’s Mieux vivre avec notre enfant guide recommends noting the temperature and time so you can pass that information on to a health care professional. (INSPQ)
• Feeding: Note whether your baby is feeding as usual, less often or more often, and whether they seem to have difficulty feeding. If you’re breastfeeding, describe any changes you notice during feeds.
• Diapers: Note whether there are fewer wet diapers than usual or whether something seems different. You don’t need to calculate a threshold; simply describe the change you’ve noticed.
• Behaviour and sleep: Is your baby more irritable, sleepier, difficult to comfort or less interested in what’s around them? Describe what’s different from their usual behaviour.
• Other signs: Write down vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, skin changes or any other symptoms. A dated photo may help show a rash that isn’t visible at the appointment.

You can also write down questions as they come to you. It’s normal to forget something when you’re worried or your baby is crying. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends noting symptoms and concerns and bringing a list of medicines to the appointment. (Caring for Kids)

What to bring and what to ask

Gather anything that helps explain your baby’s health. You don’t need a perfect file: a readable list or a few photos on your phone may be enough.

If you have them, bring:

• your symptom timeline and questions;
• your baby’s vaccination record or information about recent vaccines;
• the containers or photos of the labels for any medicine or product given to your baby;
• useful contact details and information about known allergies or health conditions.

For medicines, note the product name, when it was given and the amount already given, if you know it. This information helps explain what happened; it doesn’t replace advice about what to give next. Don’t use a note or general advice to work out a dose. Ask a pharmacist if you have a question about a medicine; you can also contact Info-Santé 811. The Government of Quebec advises checking with a pharmacist or Info-Santé 811 before giving certain over-the-counter medicines. (Government of Quebec)

During the appointment, start with your main concern, then describe the changes in the order they happened. You could ask: “What should I watch for?”, “What should I do if things change?” and “Who should I call if I’m still unsure?” If an instruction isn’t clear, ask the health care professional to repeat it or explain it another way before you leave.

If you’re not sure whether to wait for the appointment

Your notes can help you prepare for the appointment, but they shouldn’t delay asking for help. If you’re worried about your baby, their symptoms change or you’re unsure which service to contact, call Info-Santé 811, option 1, in Quebec. The service can assess the situation and guide you. The priority line for parents of children is described on the official Info-Santé 811 page. (Government of Quebec)

In an emergency, call 911. You don’t have to wait for the next appointment to get help if the situation seems urgent. If a health care professional has already given you instructions for your baby, follow them and ask 811 or a pharmacist to clarify anything you’re unsure about.

Your note doesn’t have to be long or perfect. A few concrete details—when it started, what changed, how your baby is feeding and what you’ve already tried—can make the conversation easier and help you ask the questions that matter to your family.

Frequently asked questions

This article is for information; it does not replace advice from a health professional. In Québec, call Info-Santé 811 when in doubt (elsewhere in Canada, your provincial health line). In an emergency, call 911.

Sources

1. Info-Santé 811, Gouvernement du Québec
2. Fever in children, Gouvernement du Québec
3. You and your child's doctor, Société canadienne de pédiatrie, Soins de nos enfants