The 9 Best Cough Medicines for Infants in 2023: Top Brand Reviews (2023)

FAQs

What is the drug of choice for cough in children? ›

If a person wants to give a child cough medicine, they can choose one with dextromethorphan (DM), which is present in most nonprescription cough syrups. Studies show that DM and honey are equally effective in reducing the cough frequency in children.

Run a Humidifier. Putting a cool mist humidifier in your baby's room during naps and nighttime can serve as a cold remedy. That's because humidifiers moisten the dry winter air, which relieves coughing and congestion, says Rhya Strifling, M.D., a mom and pediatrician at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.

BENYLIN^® For Children Dry Cough is a great tasting syrup to help control your child's cough while soothing his or her throat.

Children under two years of age should not be given any kind of cough and cold product that contains a decongestant or antihistamine because serious and possibly life-threatening side effects could occur. Reported side effects of these products included convulsions, rapid heart rates, and death.

Gentle taps on your baby's back can help ease chest congestion. Lay them down across your knees and gently pat their back with your cupped hand. Or do it while they sit on your lap with their body leading forward about 30 degrees. It loosens mucus in the chest and makes it easier for them to cough it up.

Persistent Cough

Coughs caused by colds due to viruses can last weeks, especially if a child has one cold right after another. Asthma, allergies, or a chronic infection in the sinuses or airways also might cause lasting coughs. If your child still has a cough after 3 weeks, call your doctor.

The most common reasons for toddler coughs are respiratory infections, allergies, and asthma. Coughing associated with a viral or bacterial infection often comes with other tell-tale symptoms like a sore throat, runny nose, and fever. Asthma-related coughs commonly come with some wheezing and are often worst at night.

What happens if a baby has a cough for too long? ›

If your child's cough and stuffy nose persist for more than 10 days without improving, see your doctor. Your little one could have acid reflux, allergies, asthma or even enlarged adenoids, which inhibit breathing.

Lay your baby belly down on your forearm, with their head lowered slightly. Firmly but gently tap baby's upper back with the palm of your hand. This should dislodge the mucus ball and your baby will happily drool away. Call 911 immediately if your baby is not breathing as usual within a few seconds of doing this.

Things you can try to get through the night: 1) Run a cool-mist humidifier in your child's room for a few nights. 2) If your child is over 12mo, give 1tsp of honey (preferably buckwheat honey). This has been shown to be more effective than cough suppressants in children.

Most dry coughs can be treated at home with OTC medications like cough suppressants and throat lozenges. There are also several home remedies that help promote healing, such as adding moisture to the air with a humidifier, gargling with salt water, and drinking plenty of fluids.

Antibiotics don't work against cold viruses. Try to make your baby more comfortable with measures such as making sure he or she drinks enough fluids, suctioning nasal mucus and keeping the air moist. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications generally should be avoided in babies.

Such as desserts, desserts, soft drinks, fruit juices And all kinds of nectar Due to sugar in food Increases the risk of inflammation And infection in the body Make people who are sick with a cold Symptoms do not improve Or it may be more severe during the cough, so you should temporarily avoid sweet foods.

Speak to a GP if:

you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks. your cough is particularly severe. you cough up blood. you experience shortness of breath, breathing difficulties or chest pain.

Elevate your head and neck. Sleeping flat on your back or on your side can cause mucus to accumulate in your throat, which can trigger a cough. To avoid this, stack a couple of pillows or use a wedge to lift your head and neck slightly. Avoid elevating your head too much, as this could lead to neck pain and discomfort.

Is Hylands good for babies? ›

Safe for children ages 2+. Natural relief of symptoms of cough, mucus, congestion, and runny nose and sleeplessness. Safe for children ages 2-12.

The FDA news release advises parents to seek immediate medical attention if they have given their children Hyland's teething tablets and their children experience any of the following side effects: Seizures. Labored breathing. Muscle weakness.

They begin to work in less than 60 seconds.

Works every time (if their pain is actually caused by teething, that is).

Keep Theirs Heads Upright

The best default position for your baby to be in when they have a cold is upright. This helps for congestion to clear and for breathing to become easier. And, most importantly, it helps them get that vital rest they need so much.

If your baby has nasal congestion, use a saline spray or saline drops to moisten each nostril, and then use a bulb syringe to gently suction out the mucus. Do this every few hours to help alleviate her discomfort, and especially 15 to 20 minutes before a feeding and bedtime.

Generic Name: pseudoephed-DM-acetaminophen. This combination medication is used to temporarily treat cough, stuffy nose, body aches, and other symptoms (such as fever, headache, sore throat) caused by the common cold, flu, or other breathing illnesses (such as sinusitis, bronchitis).

Call your doctor if your baby has:

Any cough, and they're younger than 4 months. A dry cough related to a cold (a runny nose but no fever) that lasts more than five to seven days. A dry or wet cough with a cold and a fever of 100 degrees or more.

Children with RSV typically have two to four days of upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as fever and runny nose/congestion. These are then followed by lower respiratory tract symptoms, like increasing wheezing cough that sounds wet and forceful with increased work breathing.

The FDA doesn't recommend OTC medicines for cough and cold symptoms in children younger than 2 because they could cause serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. Manufacturers voluntarily label these cough and cold products to state: “Do not use in children under 4 years of age.”

The vast majority of baby coughs are caused by viral illness and will resolve on their own, so chances are you don't need to worry (or run to the doctor). If you're concerned about the sound of your baby's cough or it has gone on for more than 10 to 14 days, contact your doctor.

How do you stop a child from coughing at night? ›

Use a cool-mist humidifier in baby's room to keep the air moist. Don't forget to clean the machine regularly so mold won't grow inside it. Give your baby a warm bath. Breathing in steam helps remove mucus.

The best treatment for most coughs and colds is for your child to rest at home so their immune system can fight the virus. Making sure your child drinks plenty of fluids will help ease a sore throat and make a runny nose easier to blow. Saline nose drops or spray can also help thin mucus and make it easier to blow out.

With plenty of rest and fluids, most coughs in younger kids and babies tend to clear up within three to four weeks. Depending on what's causing the cough, there may be things you can do to help soothe your child.

What are Symptoms of Pneumonia in Babies? Typically, signs and symptoms of pneumonia include fever and cough. Some kids will also have chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, retractions (using extra muscles below and between the ribs to breathe) or faster breathing.

In adults and older children, RSV usually causes mild cold-like signs and symptoms. These may include: Congested or runny nose. Dry cough.

Your child's cough might sound dry, or it might produce mucus. Your child might also have a runny nose, sore throat or fever as well as a cough. And your child might be short of breath and have some wheezing.

Bacterial pneumonia is more serious and often results in a gurgling sound when breathing and mucus or phlegm when coughing.