It’s difficult for a parent to see their child sick; we get that. If your child is coughing, you may be worried it’s something more than the common cold. Remember, coughs and colds most likely occur due to germ exposure and viruses.
So, under the condition that your child isn’t displaying any severe symptoms, you can try out some helpful home remedies to make your bundle of joy feel better, quicker.
This article provides you with expert tips to alleviate coughing and its symptoms in children of all ages. You’ll also learn about the top signs that your child may require a visit to a healthcare professional like Ana Hernandez-Puga, MD.
Without further delays, here are some of the best home remedies that actually work.
The Best Natural Home Remedies for Children
We’ve looked high and low for the best expert advice on how to alleviate cough symptoms. So, if you’re wondering “how to treat toddler cough,” wonder no more. Below, you’ll find simple and effective ways to help your child feel better.
Hydrate with warm fluids
Some parents will testify that the best cough medicine for kids is drinking plenty of fluids, especially warm ones like tea, chicken soup, or hot water.
Not only does drinking warm fluids help with coughing, but also dehydration symptoms such as lethargy, cracked lips, sleepiness, and sunken eyes.
An excellent way to ensure your child is drinking enough water is to give them a serving of water (0.23 litres / 8 ounces) for every year of their life. For instance, you’ll provide at least one serving of water daily to a one-year-old child. If the child is two-years-old, you’ll want to provide them with two servings per day.
Now, some children might refuse to drink water. Remember, whichever infant cough medicine you choose, you mustn’t force it. If you have a fussy child, we recommend you offer it to them freely.
Alternatively, you can make a sugar-free drink to increase fluid intake. For some, this will be the best cough medicine for kids.
Offering fruit high in water content (such as watermelons) is also a good idea.
Try using saline nasal drops
A wet cough may usually come with a stuffy nose. To soften the mucus in the nose, you’ll want to use a good quality saline solution (like a mist, a spray, or drops) from any pharmacy.
Please follow the instructions on the bottle’s packaging to administer the medicine safely.
If you find it challenging to get the drops into your child’s nose, you can try alternative methods like running a warm bath. Warm baths are great to soften mucus and clear your child’s nasal passages.
Gargle warm saltwater
A good kids’ cough medicine is to grab a pinch or two of salt and add it to some warm water. Let the salt dissolve and have your child gargle with it. We recommend choosing high-quality salt like sea salt or Himalayan sea salt (the latter which is especially abundant in minerals).
Now, of course, this won’t be the best infant cough medicine, especially if you have a tiny child. But, this is an excellent way for older children to get rid of cough and sore throat. Just remember to repeat the process multiple times.
Encourage restful sleep
Typically, children between the ages of 5 and 12 need to sleep between 9 to 12 hours each night.
One of the simplest home remedies for curing cough symptoms in children is encouraging earlier bedtime. Besides promoting healing, sleep has many other benefits, such as improving attention, learning, and boosting memory.
With this in mind, if you live in the area or you’re looking for reliable professionals, we recommend taking your toddler to Well-Visits in Miami. There, you’ll get crucial information about your child’s development, overall health, and anything you may need to know (including the proper sleep schedule).
On the flip side, we understand it’s challenging to get a restful night’s sleep, especially if your child’s wet cough is persistent. If the cough doesn’t go away by itself, we encourage you to seek out the help of a professional.
Sometimes, only a doctor can prescribe the best cough medicine for kids.
Turn to nature for home remedies
Often, nature is the best cure for any illness. If you’re looking for a safe way to improve your child’s health, we recommend eating anti-inflammatory foods like raw honey, pineapple, and pomegranate juice.
Honey is a popular kids’ cough medicine known for helping fight infection. It has plenty of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s packed with nutrients. However, be aware that honey is unsafe for kids under one due to botulism. Botulism is a type of food poisoning which can cause muscle weakness, floppiness and constipation. If it gets really complicated, the average hospital stay can be around 40 days.
If your child is older than one, honey is a safe kids’ cough medicine. Nevertheless, make sure to limit honey consumption to a spoonful a day to ensure you don’t go over the daily sugar limit.
Also, if you have the opportunity, take your child out for a walk in the sun. The vitamin D from the sun’s rays helps boost the immune system, making it easier for your child’s body to fight off illness.
Elevate the child’s head during sleep
If your child is older than the age of 1, you might want to arrange some pillows under their head, shoulders, and back to allow them to sleep in an upright position. Although this is a good, natural kids’ cough medicine, you’ll still need to consult a trained physician before attempting this.
Let them eat some popsicles
A wet cough typically leads to a painful, sore throat. So, what can you do to help your kid, especially if you have a picky eater? A highly enjoyable kids medicine for sore throat is sucking on popsicles.
Namely, ice pops will reduce the pain signals in the throat, giving your child fast pain relief. This kid’s medicine for a sore throat doesn’t only do the trick, but it’s also a perfect antibiotic-free approach.
Severe Symptoms To Look Out For
Sometimes parents can give their kids natural infant cough medicine, and the symptoms go away in under two weeks. However, what are some signs you shouldn’t ignore? If you notice any of the following, take your child to a professional immediately. In the worst case, you’ll need to call 911.
Consult an expert if:
- The cough that lasts more than two weeks
- The symptoms are getting worse
Call emergency when the child:
- Has blue fingernails/lips
- Grunts when breathing
- Is choking
- Is gasping for breath
- Can’t talk/cry because of breathing difficulties
- Has serious coughing attacks
- Is breathing rapidly
Conclusion
Overall, there are plenty of natural remedies you can consider to make your child feel better quicker. Whether you choose the ice pop method, the nasal spray, or both, make sure that the symptoms go away within two weeks.
Book Your Appointment Now
Your child’s health is of utmost importance. That’s why you must take your child for regular checkups at a reliable clinic. If you want to ensure your bundle of joy is safe and healthy, we urge you to book an appointment today.
