Baby and Toddler Cough Remedies for Children
Having a baby or toddler with a cough can be very worrisome as a parent. Even if you have several children and are “experienced” in matters of getting puked on and your kids being up sick all night, no one likes to see their kids suffering or sick and often wonders what they can do to help. No matter what age your child may be, we’ll share some common remedies to consider.
Step 1: Understand the Cough
Babies, Toddlers, and Children can have all different types of coughs and for different reasons. It is important to know what type of cough it is, and why it exists.
Some parents can often identify type of coughs and illness rather easily, while for others it can be sometimes hard to distinguish between the types of coughs that need professional medical treatment and those that can be treated at home. Any infant/baby under one year old should be seen as soon as possible, especially if there is a high fever, wheezing, difficulty breathing or other symptoms accompanied by it. If you are unsure, it is always better to get that extra “peace of mind” and speak to a medical professional.
While for most kids, coughing is usually isolated to an illness commonly associated with childhood, some kids may experience chronic coughs which seem to never go away and in which case a baby cough remedy would not be of much help. In the event of chronic coughing, you may wish to have the child screened for food/environmental allergies, asthma, or have a chest x-ray performed.
Step 2: Common Treatments for Coughs
Depending on the cause of the cost, doctors can often help young children by prescribing breathing treatments or in some instances, sometimes steroid medications can help. Antibiotics may be prescribed in the event of a bacterial infection.
Most doctors will advise not to give your child, at any age, any over the counter cough medications, as they are usually ineffective and potentially dangerous, especially if the correct dose is not given. Children over 6 months of age may be given Tylenol or Ibuprofen if they have a fever, but always check with a doctor for the correct dosage amount. Never give a child aspirin.
Instead, most doctors will recommend that you instead try toddler cough remedies that can help in conjunction with their prescribed treatment. At home, there are many things you can do to help your child feel better or at least get some rest to alleviate the symptoms of a cough while under the supervision of a physician.
Here are some of the common home remedies for coughs:
1. Cool Mist Vaporizer: A cool mist vaporizor is a must-have for parents of children who frequently get sick, especially if the child has a dry cough. While hot steam ones can sometimes be helpful, most pediatricians advise against them for children, especially since they can cause accidental burns. They also can sometimes harbor bad bacteria depending on the illness.
2. Hot Shower Steam: For croup or other dry, barky coughs and when the cool mist vaporizer seems to provide no relief, sitting in the bathroom with your child while the shower runs hot water and letting the room fill with steam can sometimes help a cough that just does not let up at all. This is one of the most popular cough remedies for toddlers over the age of 2 who have coughing fits. Be sure to keep child supervised in the bathroom.
3. Warm Liquids: While I would advise against giving chilren herbal teas (they could have an allergy or just not like it either way) – warm water with a little lemon and maple syrup or raw, pure honey (if over the age of 1) can sometimes be helpful. Chicken soup broth can also be helpful, as long as the coughing is not due to an allergy.
4. Massage: Often times, very gently massaging your child’s back, as well as their shoulders, neck, chest, and face can help loosen up some of the mucous/phlegm that is causing the coughing. This can sometimes help children relax and fall asleep.
5. Plenty of Fluids: Staying hydrated is one of the best methods of helping the body cope with an illness. Be sure to give the child plenty of liquids including nursing, bottle or formula for infants and toddlers, or an electrolyte solution for older kids.
6. Clear Extra Mucous: Many kids cough from a build up of mucous which may drip down the throat. While older children may be able to blow their noses and clear phleghm out of their throats themselves, babies and toddlers may need some extra help. Nasal saline drops can sometimes help (such as “little noses” brand – or you can also use a “boogie snatcher” – most commonly called by the medical community as a nasal aspirator.
7. Practice Prevention: While some illnesses are unavoidable, many can be prevented. Frequent hand washing, staying home while ill, good nutrition, and other choices for a healthy lifestyle can all help keep kids healthy.
For most children, thankfully coughing is just a result of the common cold or flu virus and can usually be treated at home. However, some symptoms could be the sign of a life threatening emergency. If your child is showing symptoms of respiratory distress or difficulty breathing, it is best to proceed directly to the nearest hospital or call 911 if necessary.
Do you have any tips for cough remedies for babies, toddlers, and other young children? Share your experiences in the comments section below.
Category: Home Remedies
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