When to Call 911 for Your Baby: A Parent’s Guide
Not every scare is an emergency — but some absolutely are. Know the difference, know what to say, and know what to do while you wait.
Call 911 immediately if your baby is not breathing or unresponsive, is choking and first aid is not clearing it, is having a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes (or their first-ever seizure), shows signs of a severe allergic reaction (swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or trouble breathing), or is limp, blue or grey. Begin first aid while help is on the way — the dispatcher can coach you.
Go to the ER now for a fever of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher in a baby under 3 months, a significant head injury, any water submersion, a suspected poisoning with symptoms, or a severe burn. Call your pediatrician or Telehealth Ontario for lower fevers in older babies, persistent vomiting, or a rash without other warning signs. When in doubt, call 911 — you will never be criticised for it.
Call 911 Immediately If Your Baby…
Is not breathing or is unresponsive
If your baby is limp, not responding to stimulation, and not breathing (or only gasping), call 911 and begin infant CPR immediately. Every second counts — CPR keeps oxygenated blood flowing to the brain while paramedics are on the way. If someone else is with you, have them call 911 while you start CPR. If you are alone, perform 2 minutes of CPR (about 5 cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths) first, then call 911 with your phone on speaker and continue CPR. Infant chest compressions use the two-thumb encircling technique (or the heel of one hand) on the lower half of the breastbone, pushing at least one-third the depth of the chest — the older two-finger method is no longer the recommended technique.
Source: Canadian Red Cross 2025; Heart & Stroke Foundation (ILCOR 2025 BLS) — single-rescuer infant CPR 30:2, ~2 min before leaving to call if alone.
Is choking and first aid is not working
If your baby is choking — unable to cry, cough, or breathe — begin 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts immediately, and repeat. For a baby, chest thrusts are given with the heel of one hand on the lower half of the breastbone — never abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich manoeuvre), which can injure an infant’s organs. Have someone call 911 while you continue. If you are alone and the object is not clearing, put your phone on speaker, call 911, and continue the technique while speaking to the dispatcher. If the baby becomes unresponsive at any point, switch to infant CPR.
Source: Canadian Red Cross 2025; Heart & Stroke Foundation — infant airway obstruction: 5 back blows + 5 chest thrusts, not abdominal thrusts.
Is having a seizure
A seizure in a baby looks terrifying: the body may stiffen, the limbs may jerk rhythmically, the eyes may roll back, and the skin may turn blue. The most common cause in babies and young children is a febrile seizure — triggered by a rapid spike in body temperature. While most febrile seizures are not dangerous, you should call 911 if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, if the baby has trouble breathing after the seizure, if it is the baby’s first seizure, or if the baby does not return to normal within 5 to 10 minutes of the seizure ending.
What to do during a seizure: Protect the baby from injury and place them on their side on a safe, flat surface. Do not restrain them or try to stop the movements. Do not put anything in their mouth. Time the seizure from the moment it starts — the dispatcher and ER staff will ask how long it lasted. Once the seizure stops, keep the baby on their side (recovery position) and stay with them.
Source: St. John Ambulance 2024 (febrile convulsion — call EMS, do not restrain, protect from injury, recovery position); Heart & Stroke Foundation seizure care.
Shows signs of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can escalate within minutes. Call 911 immediately if your baby shows any combination of: widespread hives or skin flushing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or stridor (a high-pitched breathing sound), sudden vomiting or diarrhea after exposure to an allergen, or limpness and unresponsiveness. If an epinephrine auto-injector has been prescribed, give the epinephrine first, then call 911 — epinephrine is the priority treatment. If there is no improvement after about 5 minutes and a second auto-injector is available, a further dose can be given while you wait for paramedics. The baby still needs hospital monitoring even if symptoms ease.
Source: Canadian Red Cross 2025; Heart & Stroke Foundation — epinephrine is first-line for anaphylaxis; repeat dose at ~5 minutes if no improvement.
Has a fever and is under 3 months old
For babies under 3 months, a rectal temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher needs urgent medical assessment — go to the ER (or call 911 if the baby is also lethargic, breathing hard, or hard to rouse). Young infants can have serious bacterial infections — including meningitis and bloodstream infections — without showing obvious symptoms beyond the fever itself. Do not wait to see if the fever resolves. Do not give acetaminophen first. Do not assume it is just a cold. This rule applies even if the baby seems otherwise well — infection in very young infants can deteriorate rapidly.
Source: St. John Ambulance 2024 (any infant under 3 months with fever needs medical care); Canadian paediatric guidance — rectal temperature ≥ 38 °C (100.4 °F) under 3 months.
Go to the ER (or Call 911 If Severe) If Your Baby…
Has a significant head injury
Babies fall. Most bumps result in crying, a bruise, and nothing more. But seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of these signs after a head injury: vomiting (especially more than once), unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking, unequal pupil sizes, a bulging soft spot (fontanelle), clear fluid draining from the nose or ears, loss of consciousness even briefly, or a seizure. Call 911 if the baby is unresponsive after the fall. For falls from significant heights (more than their own body length), go to the ER even if the baby seems fine — some head injuries have delayed symptoms.
Has been submerged in water
Any baby or toddler who has been submerged in water — even briefly — should be evaluated by a doctor, even if they seem fine afterward. Delayed pulmonary complications can develop hours after the incident. Go to the ER if the child is coughing persistently, breathing rapidly, unusually lethargic, or not acting like themselves after a water incident. Call 911 immediately if the child is not breathing or is unresponsive. Because drowning is an oxygen-starvation (hypoxic) emergency, start CPR with 5 rescue breaths first, then continue with the standard 30 compressions and 2 breaths. Hands-only (compression-only) CPR is not adequate for a drowning baby — the breaths are essential.
Source: Canadian Red Cross 2025; Heart & Stroke Foundation (ILCOR) — drowning resuscitation begins with 5 rescue breaths, then standard CPR; rescue breaths are required.
Has ingested a toxic substance
If your baby has swallowed (or you suspect they have swallowed) a medication, cleaning product, button battery, or other toxic substance, call the Ontario Poison Centre (1-800-268-9017) immediately. They will tell you whether the situation requires 911, an ER visit, or home monitoring. If the baby is unresponsive, having a seizure, or having difficulty breathing after ingestion, call 911 directly. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a poison control specialist.
Has severe burns
Call 911 for burns that cover a large area (larger than the baby’s hand), are on the face, hands, feet, or genitals, are caused by electricity or chemicals, or involve blistering on a baby under 1 year. Cool every thermal burn — including severe ones — by holding the area under cool (not ice-cold) running water for 5 to 20 minutes while you wait for help. Do not apply ice, butter, or creams. For minor burns, cool the same way and then seek medical evaluation.
Source: Canadian Red Cross 2025; St. John Ambulance 2024 — cool thermal burns with cool running water for 5–20 minutes.
When to Call Your Pediatrician Instead of 911
Not every concerning symptom is a 911 emergency. For many situations, calling your pediatrician or visiting an urgent care clinic is the right response:
- Fever in babies 3–6 months: Call your pediatrician if the rectal temperature reaches 38.9°C (102°F). For babies over 6 months, seek advice above 39.4°C (103°F) or if the baby is lethargic, refusing fluids, or showing other concerning symptoms.
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea: If the baby cannot keep fluids down for several hours or has signs of dehydration (fewer wet diapers, dry mouth, no tears when crying, sunken fontanelle).
- A rash that concerns you: Most rashes are benign, but call if the rash is accompanied by fever, if the baby seems unusually unwell, or if the rash does not blanch when pressed (this could indicate a more serious condition).
- Ear pulling with fever: Likely an ear infection — uncomfortable but not an emergency. See your pediatrician within 24 hours.
- A fall with no warning signs: If the baby cried immediately, is acting normally, and shows none of the head injury red flags above, monitor closely at home and call your pediatrician for guidance.
What to Tell the 911 Dispatcher
In an emergency, your brain may go blank. Knowing in advance what information the dispatcher needs helps you communicate clearly under pressure.
- Your exact location. This is the most important piece of information. Give the full street address, including apartment or unit number, city, and any landmarks. If you are outdoors, describe your location as precisely as possible.
- The baby’s age and approximate weight. Paramedics need this to prepare the right equipment and medication dosages before they arrive.
- What happened. A brief description: “My baby is choking and I cannot clear the object,” “My baby stopped breathing,” “My baby fell off the changing table and is now vomiting.”
- What the baby looks like right now. Is the baby breathing? What colour is the skin (pink, pale, blue, grey)? Is the baby conscious and responsive? Is the baby crying?
- What you have already done. “I am doing CPR,” “I gave 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts,” “I have the baby on their side.”
Stay on the line. The dispatcher may coach you through CPR, choking response, or other first aid in real time. Do not hang up until the dispatcher tells you to. If you need to put the phone down to perform first aid, put it on speaker.
What to Do While Waiting for the Ambulance
- Keep performing first aid. If you are doing CPR or choking response, do not stop. Continue until paramedics take over.
- Unlock the front door. If someone else is with you, have them unlock the door, turn on outside lights, and meet the ambulance at the street.
- Clear a path. Move furniture, shoes, or other obstacles that could slow paramedics getting to your baby.
- Stay calm and communicate. Continue talking to the 911 dispatcher. Report any changes in the baby’s condition.
- Gather essentials. If time allows, have someone grab the baby’s health card, a list of any medications or allergies, and a diaper bag for the hospital.
Save These Numbers Now
Put these in your phone contacts before you need them:
- 911 — life-threatening emergencies
- Ontario Poison Centre: 1-800-268-9017 — 24/7 poison advice
- Your pediatrician’s office and after-hours line
- Nearest emergency room address
- Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000 — 24/7 nurse advice line
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I drive to the ER or call 911?
Call 911 if your baby is not breathing, unresponsive, having a seizure, or showing signs of a life-threatening emergency. Paramedics can begin treatment immediately. Drive to the ER for stable situations like a high fever in an older infant or a minor injury that still needs medical attention.
What should I tell the 911 dispatcher?
Give your exact location first. Then state the baby’s age, what happened, and what the baby looks like right now. Stay on the line — the dispatcher may coach you through CPR or other first aid.
Is a fever of 38°C in a newborn really an emergency?
Yes. For babies under 3 months, a rectal temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher is a medical emergency. Go to the ER immediately, even if the baby seems otherwise fine.
What should I do while waiting for the ambulance?
Continue any first aid you are performing — if the baby is not breathing, keep doing infant CPR (30 compressions, 2 breaths); if choking, keep repeating 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts. Stay on the phone with the dispatcher. Unlock the front door, turn on outside lights, and have someone meet the ambulance. Report any changes in the baby’s condition.
Am I wasting paramedics’ time if it turns out not to be an emergency?
No. Paramedics and dispatchers always prefer a cautious parent to one who calls too late. It is never wrong to call 911 if you believe your baby is in danger.
Sources & medical review
Written and reviewed by Milos Radojcic (Canadian Red Cross / Heart & Stroke / Lifesaving Society First Aid & CPR Instructor, 10+ yrs; First Aid Instructor Trainer). Clinical content aligned with the Canadian Red Cross (2025), the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, St. John Ambulance (2024), and the 2025 ILCOR Basic Life Support consensus. Poison and telehealth numbers are for Ontario. Last reviewed July 2026.
Know What to Do Before You Need to Do It
When you call 911, the dispatcher may ask you to perform CPR or choking first aid. Would you know how? Life Safe’s CPR Level C course gives you the hands-on practice to act confidently in any emergency.
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