Babies do not always need to be hospitalized for pneumonia. Whether your baby needs to be hospitalized depends on your baby’s age, underlying health and the severity of the pneumonia. 1. Age: Babies younger than 3 to 6 months of age usually need to be hospitalized. 2. Underlying health conditions: Underlying illnesses such as cardiopulmonary diseases, genetic syndromes, metabolic disorders, impaired immune function, etc. require hospitalization. 3. Pneumonia severity: ① Moderate to severe pneumonia (respiratory distress and hypoxemia). ② water shortage: dehydration or infants are unable to eat and drink. ③Signs of toxicity: e.g., depression, high fever. ④ Complications such as pleural effusion, pyothorax, and chest swelling. ⑤ Failure of outpatient treatment: no improvement or aggravation after 48-72 hours of treatment. Babies with pneumonia should seek timely medical treatment and, if necessary, follow the doctor’s advice on whether hospitalization is necessary.