Former nurse here. Advice changes regularly as new knowledge comes to light so I try to regularly update my knowledge.
I used tepid sponging on my dd who was prone to very high temperatures when very small but totally understand that we now know better. I've never been one for instantly medicating the slightest discomfort in myself or dd. I had no pain relief for 27 hour labour until a cs was ordered. But I have a high pain threshold not everyone is the same.
Medication has its place but even most medics would say unless there is an unusual medical history it shouldn't be the first port of call.
Dd had colic, we used massage techniques, and a herbal remedy which I checked was OK with gp. Generally the massage worked. We had one night where nothing was working but even medication didn't work either so unfortunately she just had to ride it out.
Teething, again I think painful for some babies not so much for others. I used frozen carrot sticks, teething rings, teething powders for dd but back teeth did seem to cause real pain so gave calpol for that. As I recall one dose occasionally was all.
Even now that she's older, depending on what the pain/discomfort is will determine what we try/what works. Eg headaches are often eye strain or dehydration so sitting for half hour with eyes closed or a long drink will often suffice. Sometimes a cool flannel will be added, only if its bad will dd even ask for pain meds.
Myself I have 3 different medical conditions which often cause pain but meds are a last resort.
Paracetamol stays in the body especially the liver for a long time. I absolutely agree it shouldn't be given at the slightest twinge. Posters and the OP are reacting as if the mother did nothing. The OP doesn't mention how baby was dressed, if it was hot where they were, how long the symptoms were present. The mother did give the baby something to hopefully relieve the pain just not a chemically produced copy of herbal remedies used for 1000's of years.
I'm old enough to have been given aspirin as a child, that certainly would have been viewed then as calpol is now, a harmless remedy to relieve fever and discomfort yet we now know this can be dangerous not just risky.
Having said all that though I do think not vaccinating is irresponsible not only for that child but for other vulnerable people who may come into contact. The diseases prevented by vaccination are far worse than most potential side effects(yes I realise there are rare very bad effects but these are very rare). I have never come across anyone with even a modicum of medical training that doesn't have their children vaccinated. I feel part of the reason some feel measles etc 'aren't that bad' have no idea how dangerous they can be in people who are not vaccinated.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/Reyes-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx
www.nhs.uk/Livewell/headaches/Pages/Painkillerheadaches.aspx
And don't even get me started on codeine being available OTC!!