A: Colic affects about one baby in ten and can be stressful for parents — as I know from personal experience. It tends to start at two or three weeks and in most cases stops at three or four months.

Colicky babies seem to be experiencing abdominal pain, drawing their knees up to their stomachs during screaming fits. Attacks can last for hours; this often settles into a pattern of early-evening screaming. As she gets older, your granddaughter should start to settle earlier each night.

The causes are not clear, but it seems that the normally smooth undulations of the intestines are replaced by painful spasms. It was once thought that excess wind was to blame, but studies show that colicky babies have no more wind than others. Wind does make the problem worse, though, as it becomes trapped in the loops of the intestine during spasms. Another possibility is an immature nervous system that is unable to control the intestine properly. This would explain why the problem disappears as a baby matures.

It may also be related to the breakdown of hormones in the intestine, or an allergic reaction to cow’s milk. Sometimes it is linked to a temporary or long-term intolerance of cow’s milk or other food. If the problem has not disappeared by the age of five months, consider this possibility.

Some parents say that fennel works, and giving both fennel and dill is common practice in India, though there is no scientific evidence to support any beneficial effects. But it will not harm your granddaughter, either, so it is worth a try. Rather than adding tincture to her feeds, look out for specially prepared drinks for babies that contain fennel. These should be available at your pharmacy.

Movement is an instinctive way of calming a baby. I am sure that her parents have tried carrying her around in different positions, going for a walk or taking her out in the car. The sound of the engine and movement can settle a baby to sleep — take another adult, though, as driving with a screaming baby can be stressful. Sucking can provide relief and a distraction from the pain. Noise can also help, especially white noise such as static from a radio, or the sounds of a vacuum cleaner or washing machine, which remind a baby of noises in the womb.

Baby massage is enjoying renewed popularity — most babies find it soothing. Breastfeeding mothers could try avoiding citrus and high-sugar fruits, which can cause tummy ache and may aggravate colic. Gripe water and Infacol, both available over the counter, seem to help in some cases.

Support is invaluable. If you live near enough, I expect that an offer of babysitting for an evening so your granddaughter’s parents can have a break would be welcome.

Research has shown that babies with colic are healthy and thrive. The chances are that she will grow out of it in a couple of weeks. Cry-sis (020-7404 5011, 9am-10pm) offers advice and support to those caring for a crying baby.

My 4½-year-old granddaughter lives in Germany and copes well with being brought up bilingually. But she has had co-ordination problems diagnosed and has weekly physiotherapy. She has difficulty painting and drawing and has been moved to a group for three and four-year-olds at kindergarten because she was not mixing with the four and five-year-olds. I do not find her lack of co-ordination very noticeable, but think that she needs support — what could help her?
Name and address supplied

A: It is important to look at a child as a whole. Your granddaughter is making good progress with her speech and language skills if she is coping with learning three languages — perhaps she has a particular problem with co-ordination and fine motor skills. Some children develop more slowly than others in this area.

Have her seen by a paediatrician to rule out any underlying medical causes. As she is finding social interaction difficult, have her assessed by an educational psychologist; it would be useful to look at whether what she is learning is appropriate for her age, and whether she has any specific difficulties for which extra help may be needed.

There are many ways to improve her co-ordination and fine motor skills. Messy play with water and sand, playing at playgrounds and getting her to ride a tricycle will help, as will encouraging her to use her hands by drawing, tearing up strips of paper, using construction toys that fit together and helping with cooking. Getting her to join in activities with her peers might help her to interact socially. Inviting one or two children from kindergarten home for tea is a good way to get her to mix more.

My 23-month-old niece keeps contracting a nasty winter cough, coughing so much that she throws up. What is the best way to calm her down, and prevent this from happening?
Name and address supplied

A: Vomiting is not uncommon when children have a coughing fit. The reason your niece coughs is that infection stimulates the cough receptors in her windpipe and other airways of her lungs. It is important that she coughs; this protects her lungs by dislodging and moving mucus caused by infection and inflammation.

Unfortunately, there is not a lot that can be done to suppress her cough, and it may not be helpful to do so. Over-the-counter remedies usually do not work, but a small amount of menthol rub may help. Very rarely, children who vomit excessively have gastrooesophageal reflux (heartburn). A doctor can determine whether this is the case.

Jane Collins is the chief executive and honorary consultant paediatrician at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Contact Dr Collins

Dr Jane Collins answers a selection of your questions about children's health every Tuesday. E-mail DrJane@thetimes.co.uk or write to her at: Features Department, The Times, 1, Pennington Street, London E98 1TT. Include your name, address and daytime telephone number (not for publication). Dr Collins is unable to enter into correspondence.

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