Kid Coughing at Night? Try the 9 Natural Remedies to Stop It

When a young child or infant gets a cough at night, it can be frustrating for both the child and the parent or primary caregiver. It makes it difficult for the child to sleep and get rested. Incessant coughing at night can also cause vomiting. And while you may be tempted to give the child a cough syrup to remedy the situation, the FDA points out that the side effects far outweigh the benefits. But there are some simple, safe and effective cough remedies for your kid.

Cough Remedies for Kids at Night

1. Honey

Honey is one of the best alternative cough remedies. Since it is a natural remedy, there are no side effects to worry about. Research indicates that honey is a natural cough suppressant that is more effective than most cough syrups. Honey is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-fungal. Half a teaspoon of honey just before bedtime will work wonders for your child. In young children, you can mix half a teaspoon of honey with some lemon juice.

If your child is old enough to understand, you can have him/her gargle a solution of honey (a tablespoon should suffice) mixed with water. The solution helps in throat infections.

2. Saline Drops

For infants, it is not advisable to give them honey before the first birthday. Saline drops come in handy in this situation. If the child’s nose is stuffy and he/she has difficulty breathing, a few drops of saline solution will go a long way and may be adequate cough remedy for kids at night. After using a saline drop, a suction bulb will help you to suck the mucus out.

3. Fluids

When your little one is going through a cold, increase the intake of fluids to help ease the situation. Fruit juices and milk come in handy. If it is the cold season, give them warm fluids such as delicious chicken soup, warm chocolate drink or warm apple cider vinegar.

For babies who are not weaned yet, breast milk will suffice. Only increase the number of feeding times. Plenty of fluids especially warm drinks offer relief by thinning out the mucus, which makes it easier to get it out.

4. Humidifier

Moisture helps open up the airways and makes it easy for your child to breathe. Run a humidifier at night as part of the cough remedies for kids at night. To be extra cautious, use the cool-mist model which is a safer option than those that produce steam. Be sure to clean the humidifier regularly.

5. Bathroom Steam

You can easily turn your bathroom into a steam room by running a hot shower while the door remains closed for 15 minutes. This method of nasal decongestion has been backed up by pediatricians as being effective and straightforward.

When going into your steam room, make it fun and exciting by bringing in snacks that your baby can enjoy as his chest gets decongested naturally.

6. Salty Water

If your child is old enough to gargle, then get him/her to gargle warm salty water. It is not known how exactly this remedy works, but, it is an old-age remedy for coughs and sore throats. A teaspoon of salt mixed in warm water should do the trick. Have your child gargle it as often as possible.

7. VapoRub

For children older than two years, VapoRub is recommended as another one of the cough remedies for kids at night. Massaging VapoRub on your child’s chest at night will slightly lessen the coughing and make the child feel more comfortable. However, you are strongly advised not to use VapoRub for children below two years since it will irritate their airway and even increase coughing and congestion.

8. Suction Bulb

As mentioned earlier, suction bulbs work well after using a saline solution to thin the mucus and clear the nasal passage. A suction bulb works best on children under six months. Squeeze a suction bulb and gently release it on one nostril. Utilize it on demand until the mucus is cleared out.

9. Cleaning Up

Your child’s cough may be a result of dust and dirt. You will know this if his/her cough is dry and raspy. Do thorough cleaning in the sleeping area. Thoroughly dusting and cleaning out surfaces to remove dust may be all the necessary cough remedies for kids at night. You can also try and detect any other allergens in your child’s room.

Avoid using air fresheners in your child’s room as well as spraying perfume. Use hypoallergenic beddings in your child’s bed as well. This practice will help a great deal.

Watch Out for Medications

  • Cough syrups and candies are not recommended for children under the age of three years. They not only pose serious choking hazards but can also have serious side effects.
  • You should also avoid painkillers to reduce fever especially if the child has a fever of less than 100 ºF.
  • Avoid fever medication unless the doctor advises you otherwise.

You should, therefore, stick to natural methods that will not pose any health risk to your baby.

When to Call a Doctor

Cough often is a mild condition, but be sure to seek medical help in the following cases.

  • A cough persists for more than two weeks.
  • The child begins to cough blood.
  • The child has a high fever (higher than 102 ºF), especially if the child is less than six months.
  • The child is producing a wheezing sound when breathing out.
  • The child is producing a noisy or musical sound known as a stridor when breathing in.
  • The child produces a croup sound when breathing. That is a barking sound.
  • After the child coughs, he/she produces a whooping sound when breathing in. This situation demands immediate medical attention, and you should call 911 if the child is less than three months.
 
 
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