Baby health guide

53 guides · Illness, vaccines, skin and digestion

When your baby is unwell, it is hard to think clearly. These guides pull together the NHS, CDC and UNICEF advice on the most common health questions so you can find what you need quickly. From knowing when to call 111 to understanding vaccines, rashes and digestion, every guide is written in plain English for tired, worried parents.

When to seek help

• When to call 111 or go to A&E: danger signs in babies — which symptoms mean call 111, A&E or 999 immediately
• Is this normal? Common newborn things that worry first-time parents — a reassurance guide to things that look alarming but are usually normal
• Newborn checks in hospital: what happens before you go home — Apgar scores, physical examination, hearing screen and more
• Keeping your baby safe in hot weather: signs of overheating — signs of overheating, keeping babies cool, when to get help
• Heatwave safety for babies — when temperatures exceed 35-40 degrees, signs of heat stress
• Food allergy signs in babies: how to recognise a reaction — spotting signs of allergy after introducing new foods
• Baby rashes: a guide to the most common types — what they look like, what to do, when to get help fast
• Head circumference in babies: why it is measured — what centile charts show and when to talk to your health visitor
• NICU follow-up care for premature babies — what to expect after your baby leaves the NICU

Vaccines and immunisations

• UK baby vaccination schedule — every NHS jab from 8 weeks to 3 years 4 months
• US baby vaccine schedule — the CDC recommended schedule from birth to 6 years
• UAE baby vaccination schedule — the UAE national immunization program from birth to school age
• Impfkalender Baby (STIKO) — der STIKO-Impfplan für Säuglinge, von 6 Wochen bis 2 Jahre
• Baby vaccine schedules compared — UK, US, UAE and Germany, how they line up
• How to never miss a baby vaccine — a simple system for tracking doses and due dates
• The 6-in-1 vaccine: what it covers and what to expect — six diseases covered, schedule, side effects explained
• Baby vaccination side effects: what is normal — common side effects, how long they last, when to call your doctor
• Catching up on missed baby vaccinations — catch-up rules, age limits and when to call your GP
• Common questions parents have about baby vaccines — how they work, ingredients, side effects answered
• Childhood vaccinations: the core schedule — WHO, NHS, CDC and AAP core schedule explained

Fever and illness

• Baby fever: when to worry and when to wait — what temperature counts, when to call 111, home care
• Baby cold and cough: caring for your baby at home — symptoms, safe relief, medicines to avoid
• RSV and bronchiolitis in babies: what parents need to know — symptoms, warning signs, home care and prevention
• Ear infections in babies: signs, treatment and when to see a doctor — how to spot an ear infection and ease discomfort
• Newborn jaundice: what is normal and when to get help — causes, normal timeline, phototherapy, warning signs
• Newborn jaundice in darker skin: what to check — how to check when jaundice is harder to see
• Neonatal jaundice: what it is and when to get help — causes, bilirubinometer, phototherapy explained
• Tongue tie in babies: symptoms and treatment — how it is assessed, when treatment is needed
• Reflux in babies: symptoms, causes and what helps — what causes reflux, silent reflux, when to see a GP
• Reflux and spit-up in babies — the difference between GOR and GORD, silent reflux signs
• Reflux in babies: managing symptoms — feeding adjustments, positioning and when to seek help

Skin and rashes

• Nappy rash: causes, prevention and treatment — how to prevent it and treat it at home
• Baby eczema: recognising it and managing flares — skincare routine, emollients, triggers and when to seek help
• Cradle cap: what it is, how long it lasts and how to treat it — what it looks like and safe ways to treat it
• Baby acne and newborn skin spots: what is normal — what baby acne looks like and how to care for newborn skin

Digestion and feeding issues

• Constipation in babies: causes, signs and what helps — how to spot it and simple steps that help
• Baby poop colours: what is normal and what needs checking — what each colour means from meconium to toddler
• Ayurvedic colic remedies: what the evidence says — fennel seed water, hing and other remedies reviewed
• TCM approaches to colic in babies: what the evidence says — tui na massage and Traditional Chinese Medicine reviewed

All health guides

• Safe sleep: the Red Nose guidelines — back to sleep, face uncovered, smoke free, safe environment
• Indoor air quality and babies — why air quality matters more for babies than adults
• Australia's National Immunisation Program: an overview — clear overview for babies aged 0 to 12 months
• BCG vaccination: the stamp method and what parents need to know — tuberculosis protection for newborns explained
• Immunisation from birth to 18 months: a schedule overview — which vaccines are given when and why
• China's national immunisation programme: an overview for parents — clear guide for babies aged 0 to 12 months
• Newborn circumcision: what the evidence says for parents deciding — AAP conclusions and what parents should know
• Gua sha and traditional remedies for babies: what the evidence says — cupping and paediatric tui na reviewed
• India's National Immunisation Schedule: an overview for parents — birth to 24 months, including IAP recommendations
• Iron deficiency in babies and toddlers — signs, why it matters, highest iron foods
• Newborn metabolic screening: the heel prick test explained — conditions screened and what parents need to know
• Flat head syndrome: causes, prevention and when to seek help — repositioning techniques and when to see a specialist
• Vaccine schedule from birth to 14 months: what to expect — each appointment, what is given and why
• Vitamin D for breastfed babies — why supplements are needed, how much to give, rickets risk
• Safe sleep: the Red Nose guidelines — room sharing, breastfeeding and a smoke-free environment
• Indoor air quality and babies — practical precautions for the home environment

Frequently asked questions

When should I call the doctor about my baby?

Call 111 or see a doctor if your baby has a high temperature and is under 3 months, is unusually drowsy, is refusing feeds, or has a rash that does not fade under a glass. Go straight to A&E or call 999 if your baby is struggling to breathe, turns blue or pale, or cannot be woken.

What temperature is a fever in a baby?

A temperature of 38°C or above is a fever in a baby. In babies under 3 months this always needs a call to 111 or a doctor, even if your baby seems well. A thermometer in the armpit or ear is the most reliable way to check.

When do babies get their vaccines?

In the UK the first vaccines are given at 8 weeks old. The schedule then continues at 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 1 year, and 3 years 4 months. Your GP surgery should invite you automatically, but Cubby's built-in schedule can help you keep track.

What are the signs my baby is seriously ill?

Warning signs include a high-pitched or unusual cry, a bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on the head), a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under a glass, cold or mottled skin, and very rapid or laboured breathing. If you see any of these, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

How do I treat baby eczema?

Keep skin well moisturised with an unperfumed emollient, applied at least twice a day and more often during a flare. Avoid soap and bubble bath. If the skin is red, weeping or cracked, see your GP, who may prescribe a mild steroid cream for short-term use on flares.

What causes green poop in babies?

Green poop is often normal, especially in newborns passing meconium or in babies who are moving through a growth spurt. It can also happen if your baby is getting more foremilk than hindmilk during feeds. Consistently green, frothy or very watery stools alongside other symptoms are worth mentioning to your health visitor.