Dealing with those bumps in the road

These are very common in babies and toddlers. Children under six years shouldn’t be given OTC cold remedies, other than saline nose drops to ease nasal congestion and paediatric paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower a fever or ease any pain. It is important that babies and toddlers with a cold (especially with a fever) drink plenty of fluids. Children over the age of one year can be given warm drinks of lemon and honey to ease a sore throat and cough.

This is a form of seborrhoeic dermatitis that affects babies in the first few months of life. It is harmless but can look unsightly, causing patches of white or yellow greasy, scaly skin on the scalp and face (and occasionally the nappy area). The scales can be loosened by lightly massaging an emollient into the scalp, brushing gently with a soft brush, and then washing with baby shampoo. 

Nappy rash causes red or raw patches on the baby’s nappy area. The skin often looks sore and feels hot to the touch, and the baby may seem uncomfortable or distressed. Nappy rash can be treated and prevented by changing nappies as soon as possible, keeping the skin clean and dry, and making sure nappies fit properly (but leaving them off for a while each day, if possible). Using a thin layer of barrier cream will help to protect the baby’s skin. 

If a baby cries for more than three hours a day, three days a week, for at least one week, but is otherwise healthy, it may be colic. The cause of colic is unclear and the crying sessions often stop by the time a baby reaches three or four months. As well as crying incessantly, the baby may also be hard to soothe, clenching fists, going red in the face and bring knees up to the tummy or arching the back. 

Soothing techniques, including rocking, bathing and walks, are often advised. Many parents also seek treatments such as anticolic drops or granules, herbal and probiotic supplements, and cranial osteopathy, although there is little clinical research proving these approaches work.

Diarrhoea and vomiting in babies and young children is often caused by gastroenteritis. It is important to make sure the baby is getting enough fluids to prevent dehydration. This may involve giving breastfed babies smaller feeds more often or giving babies on formula or solid foods small sips of cooled, boiled water between feeds. If the symptoms continue, or are severe, refer to a GP.

Babies may bring up a little milk, or are sick, during or after a feed. They may also seem unsettled during feeding, swallow or gulp after burping or feeding, or cough or hiccup when feeding. Reflux usually occurs because the baby’s oesophagus has yet to fully developed. If they’re otherwise happy, healthy and gaining weight, babies with reflux don’t necessarily need to see a GP. 

A health visitor can provide advice on feeding positions and burping. If the symptoms continue, a GP may recommend a thickening powder, or thickened formula milk, for bottlefed babies. If this doesn’t help, or the baby is breastfed, medicines for reflux may be prescribed. 

Many parents worry about dry, peeling skin on newborns, but this is a natural response after the birth as the baby develops its natural protective skin barrier. Midwives and health visitors usually recommend not using any moisturising creams or oils on a newborn baby’s skin but, after a few weeks, if the skin remains dry, emollient products suitable for young babies should be used. 

Atopic eczema usually starts in a baby’s first six months. It can cause dry, itchy, sore and cracked skin, especially on the face, inside the elbows and back of the knees. Possible triggers and suitable treatments should be discussed with parents.