– Dr. Saurabh Singh is a paediatrician at Shatakshi Nursing Home, Motihari, Bihar

Dr. Saurabh Singh

When will my five-month-old start teething? What are the common signs of teething? I have read that it may cause discomfort. How can I provide relief?

— Garima Pehel, Bengaluru

Most infants begin to teethe around six months of age. Some may start teething earlier, and others much later. Watch out for these symptoms:

• Swollen and tender gums
• Fussiness and crying
• Excessive drooling
• Irritability
• Gnawing, biting/wanting to chew on hard objects
• Bringing her hands to mouth
• Night waking
• Slight increase in body temperature

Here is how you can help soothe your infant where is teething:

• Wipe drool to avoid drool rash
• Massage sore gums with clean fingers
• Use chilled silicone teethers or teething gel
• Analgesics for pain relief – only if recommended by a paediatrician

My four-year-old son gets cold and cough infections often. How can I prevent this? Is it safe to use over-the-counter medication?

— Mani Thimmiah, Pune

You can proactively prevent cough and cold infections. Here are some preventive guidelines:

• Dry air and cold weather tend to irritate children’s throats and respiratory systems, especially during winter. Keep your child warm with layered clothing and scarves.
• Keep him hydrated.
• Avoid triggers such as dust, cold items, and mosquito repellents.
• Pollutants from heaters and stoves can exacerbate respiratory conditions in children such as asthma. Minimise exposure.
• Ensure his chest and feet are adequately covered with warm clothing.
• Keep indoor air clean and moist.
• Boost immunity by providing a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole cereals, and proteins. In particular, add citrus fruits such as oranges and grapes.
• Avoid giving your child over-the-counter cough and cold medications unless prescribed by a doctor.
• Consult your paediatrician if experiences persistent fever, cough and cold, difficulty in breathing, bluish lips or nails, and severe fatigue.

I am the mother of a three-year-old child. What are the symptoms of anaemia?

— Karthik Sundar, Chennai

Iron deficiency is a common nutritional disorder in children. Early indicators/symptoms of iron deficiency are pale skin; persistent ingestion of non-nutritive, non-food substances (e.g.,soil, chalk, paint, hair, mud, wall plaster); sore, swollen tongue; fatigue; cold hands and feet and delayed growth and development. Introduce iron-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, cereals, chicken, fish, peas, and citrus fruits in your child’s diet.

I live in Chennai, where it is sunny all year round. My 11-year-old daughter is worried about damage to her skin. Please suggest a daily sun protection routine.

— Fathima Akthar, Chennai

Pre-teens have sensitive skin prone to sunburn and heat rash. Encourage her to follow skincare routine hereunder:

• Avoid going out during peak sunlight hours to limit direct exposure.
• Encourage her to wear full sleeves and lightweight shirts.
• Ensure she drinks plenty of water to remain hydrated.
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA & UVB. It should be SPF-30, contain minerals such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, free of harsh chemicals, fragrance-free, non-irritating, non-greasy and hypoallergenic.