You're holding a crying baby at 3am. Something feels wrong. But is it A&E wrong - or "wait until morning" wrong?
This is the book that answers that question.
Written by a UK-registered health visitor with many years of experience sitting in living rooms with worried parents, Should I Call 111? gives you the clinical knowledge you need - in plain English, at the moment you need it most.
What This Book Gives You
Inside, you'll find a complete A-Z guide to baby and toddler symptoms and illnesses - from fever and rashes to breathing difficulties, vomiting, and everything in between - with clear, honest answers to the question every parent asks:
Do I need to do something about this right now?
Every entry includes:
- What it is - explained in plain language, no medical jargon
- What to look for - the specific signs that matter
- What to do - step-by-step, calm, practical guidance
- When to call 111 - and when to go straight to A&E
- Red flags - the signs that mean act now, no hesitation
- Safety-netting - what to watch for as things develop
The Triage System That Changes Everything
This book uses a simple five-level triage system used by NHS professionals:
- Monitor at home
- Call 111
- See your GP
- Go to A&E
- Call 999 immediately
Every symptom. Every condition. Clearly coded. No guessing.
What's Inside
How babies and toddlers respond to illness differently from older children and adults. What "normal" looks like - so you can recognise when something isn't.
- Part Two - A-Z Symptoms (42 entries)
Breathing difficulties. Crying (inconsolable). Fever. Rashes. Vomiting. Limp baby. Pale skin. Swollen glands. And 34 more - every common symptom a parent will encounter in the first two years.
- Part Three - A-Z Conditions (28 entries)
Bronchiolitis. Chickenpox. Croup. Eczema. Hand, foot and mouth. Meningitis. Sepsis. UTI. Whooping cough. And more - with causes, signs, treatment, and red flags for each.
- Part Four - Special Circumstances (8 sections)
Premature babies. Babies with underlying health conditions. Illness in the newborn period. Heatwaves and extreme cold. Childcare settings. Hospital admissions. Medicines and dosing. And a dedicated section on your wellbeing as a parent - because that matters too.
This Book Is For You If...
You've ever Googled a symptom at 3am and ended up more frightened than when you started
You've called 111 and felt embarrassed - or didn't call and felt guilty
You want to know the difference between a rash that needs a glass test and one that doesn't
You're a first-time parent who wants to feel prepared, not panicked
You're a grandparent, childminder, or nursery worker caring for young children
You're a student nurse, student health visitor, or newly qualified professional who wants a practical clinical reference
Why This Book Is Different
There are plenty of baby health books that tell you what illnesses exist.
This one tells you what to do about them - and exactly how urgently.
It doesn't catastrophise. It doesn't minimise. It gives you the same clear, honest guidance that a health visitor would give you in your living room - backed by current NHS and NICE guidelines, written by someone who has done exactly that, thousands of times.
"I wrote this book because parents deserve the same information I give in clinic - not a watered-down version, not a list of symptoms with no guidance, but the real thing. Clear. Honest. Useful at 3am."
- Tracy Ukah
