Private nappy rash, teething and colic clinic in London, same-day paediatrics.

Nappy rash

Red, sore skin over the areas the nappy touches, caused by contact with urine and stool, friction and moisture. It is very common and is not a sign of neglect.

Teething

First teeth usually arrive between six and twelve months, though anywhere from three months to over a year is normal. Sore, red gums, dribbling, chewing everything, flushed cheeks, and being generally irritable and unsettled are all typical.

• A chilled — not frozen — teething ring, or a clean cold flannel to chew.
• Gently rubbing the gum with a clean finger.
• Sugar-free paracetamol or ibuprofen at the dose for age, if your baby is distressed.
• A barrier cream on the chin and neck to prevent a dribble rash.
• Avoid teething gels containing lidocaine or salicylate, and unlicensed teething powders and amber necklaces — the latter are a strangulation and choking risk.
• Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, with a smear of fluoride toothpaste.

Colic

Colic describes prolonged, inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy, well-fed, thriving baby — classically more than three hours a day, more than three days a week. It usually starts in the first weeks, peaks around six to eight weeks, and has almost always resolved by three to four months.

• Hold and rock, walk, use a sling, or try skin-to-skin contact.
• White noise, a gentle bath, a pram or car ride.
• Wind thoroughly during and after feeds, and keep the baby fairly upright afterwards.
• Check feeding — latch, pace, and whether the baby is taking in a great deal of air. A feeding assessment is often more useful than any product.
• Anti-colic drops and probiotics have limited and inconsistent evidence. They are unlikely to harm, but do not persist if they make no difference.
• Do not switch formula repeatedly, or remove dairy from a breastfeeding diet, without advice — this rarely helps and delays finding a genuine cause.