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Key Points
- Coughing in children is often due to various factors such as colds, allergies, infections, irritants, or other medical conditions.
- Over-the-counter cough medicines are not typically recommended for children under six, leading parents to use home remedies.
- Some effective home remedies include fluid intake, use of humidifiers, warm water vapors, icy treats, saline and suction, honey (for children over one), and gargling with salt water.
- Elevating the child's head while sleeping can help reduce nighttime coughing.
- Persistent coughing for more than three weeks, worsening symptoms, or signs of severe distress necessitate immediate medical attention, preferably from a pediatric urgent care facility.
Coughing is a common symptom in children, especially if they have a cold. According to Children’s Health, kids usually have around 6 to 10 colds each year, and since over-the-counter antihistamines, cough medicines, and cough drops are not usually recommended for children under the age of 6, parents often turn to home remedies to help a child’s cough.
Below you’ll find some of the best tried-and-true ways to soothe your kid's cough at home, and what symptoms warrant a trip to urgent care.
What Is Coughing?
A cough reflex helps to clear the airway of mucus, irritants, and foreign particles, according to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). CHOP also notes that because cough reflexes are a natural defense mechanism, cough suppressants, and cold medications are usually not recommended for children. Because of this, home cough remedies are often the first thing that parents turn to.
Causes of Cough in Children
Coughing is often caused by a cold, according to CHOP—but it can also be caused by various things, such as allergies, infections (like the common cold, COVID-19, or influenza), irritants, or an underlying medical condition.
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Viral or bacterial infections: Viruses cause things like the common cold, influenza (sometimes called “the flu”), pertussis (also called “whooping cough”), and pneumonia. According to WebMD, these infections can cause the production of mucus which causes mucus build up in the airway.
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Allergies: Allergic reactions to pollen, dust, pet dander, and other allergens can cause coughing in children. Other signs of allergies include itchy throat, runny nose, watery eyes, sore throat, or rash, according to WebMD.
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Asthma: Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes narrowing of the airway, leading to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. WebMD notes that your child can experience asthma during times of increased physical activity or when exposed to allergens. For some children, having asthma triggers episodes where they can stop coughing. Asthma treatment depends on the cause, severity, and triggers.
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Acid Reflux: A common symptom of acid reflux, especially in children, is coughing (according to WebMD). This condition is often caused by foods that trigger higher production of stomach acid, which can then create a burning sensation in the lower esophagus and trigger a cough.
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Pertussis (also known as “Whooping Cough”): Pertussis is a bacterial infection that causes coughing spells with a distinctive “whooping” sound. WebMD notes that other symptoms may include a runny nose, sneezing, and fever. There is a whooping cough vaccine available that can help lower the risk of contracting the illness.
It is important to identify the underlying cause of your child's cough because that can help you determine the best course of treatment and help you decide when to take your child to see a doctor.
Home Remedies for Cough in Kids
It is frustrating and sometimes worrisome when your child is dealing with a nagging cough—especially if you have a toddler coughing non-stop. While there are many over-the-counter cough medicines available for coughs, most of them are not recommended for children under the age of 6. Furthermore, many parents prefer to try natural cold remedies first. Below you’ll find several tips for how to help a child’s cough at night and what to do for a baby with a cough.
1. Drink Lots of Fluids
Encouraging your child to drink plenty of fluids (such as water, juice, or electrolyte drinks) can help thin mucus. This can help make mucus easier to cough out, according to Children’s Health. Additionally, drinking fluids can help to prevent dehydration, which is especially important if your child has other symptoms like a fever.
2. Consider Using a Humidifier
A cool mist humidifier can help to moisten the air and soothe your child's cough, according to Children’s Health. They note that you should be sure to clean the humidifier regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold, as these things can worsen your child’s cough.
3. Breathe in Warm Water Vapors
Steam from warm water is a great cough remedy because it can help soothe a sore throat and loosen mucus. This can help slow or stop coughing episodes, notes Children's Health. The easiest way to do this is to sit with your child in a bathroom with the door closed and a warm shower running. Be sure to keep your child away from the warm water, as it can cause a scald burn if they touch it. This technique is especially helpful if you are trying to help relieve a bad cough in your toddler or baby.
4. Try Icy Treats
Another home remedy that Children’s Health recommends for soothing your child’s throat and reducing coughing is to try icy treats. They say that the cool liquid may also help to reduce inflammation of the throat. You can also try electrolyte-replenishing freezer pops if your child isn’t drinking enough fluids.
5. Saline and Suction
If your baby has a stuffy or runny nose, it may help their coughing to clear the mucus from their nose. To do this, Children’s Health recommends that you use saline drops and a bulb-suction device (both can be purchased over the counter). They recommend that you use the saline drops to loosen the mucus and then use a bulb syringe to suction out the saline—any loose mucus will come out as well.
6. Give a Spoonful of Honey (For Children Over Age 1)
Honey has natural cough-suppressing properties and can help to soothe a scratchy throat, according to Children’s Health. This makes it a great natural cough remedy. Children's Health notes, however, that honey should only be given to children over the age of one due to the risk of botulism in infants.
7. Gargle with Salt Water
This may be difficult for younger kids, but gargling with salt water can be a great cough remedy for older kids. This can help to soothe a sore throat and reduce coughing, according to Children’s Health. They recommend that you mix half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and have your child gargle for 30 seconds before spitting it out. Older kids can also try over-the-counter lozenges if they have a cough with a scratchy throat. WebMD notes that you should not give lozenges or cough drops to a child under 6 and always monitor them to prevent choking.
8. Elevate Your Child's Head While Sleeping
Elevating your child's head while sleeping can help to reduce coughing at night, according to Children’s Health. They recommend that you place a pillow or two under their head or have them sleep in a reclining chair. It should be noted that this is only appropriate for children over the age of 2 and parents of infants should always follow the ABCs of safe infant sleep.
When to See a Pediatrician
Most of the time, a cough will go away on its own, according to Cedars Sinai. However, some cases can end up requiring treatment from a doctor. Cedars Sinai notes that if your child's cough is getting worse instead of better, or they develop a fever after the initial onset of illness, you should head straight to the doctor’s office or your nearest urgent care. Here are more symptoms that Cedars Sinai notes require medical attention:
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Persistent cough - If your child's cough has lasted more than three weeks or is not improving, it could mean that they have a more serious illness (like pertussis) or condition (like pediatric-onset asthma).
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Difficulty breathing - If your child is having trouble breathing at any point, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Signs of difficulty breathing include rapid breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and “belly breathing” according to Mayo Clinic.
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Seal-bark-like cough - If your child has a harsh cough that sounds like a seal bark, it may be a sign of croup according to the Mayo Clinic. Croup is a type of cough that is caused by a viral infection that can cause swelling in the airways.
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Stridor breathing or wheezing - If your child is wheezing or makes a high-pitched, wheezing sound when they breathe in, they may have a more serious condition (like asthma). Cedars Sinai recommends going to the emergency room if your child has this symptom.
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Severe malaise - If your child is experiencing extreme fatigue, weakness, or a loss of appetite in addition to their cough, it may be a sign of a more serious condition (like a serious infection).
Pediatric Urgent Care Near Me
Since most cold medications and cough medicines are not recommended for young children, you should consider taking your child to a pediatrician if they can't stop coughing according to the Mayo Clinic. This is especially important if your child has asthma, a persistent cough, or symptoms of a serious respiratory illness (the flu or whooping cough). If you're looking for a doctor to treat your child's cough, you can find pediatric urgent care clinics near you with Solv.
Frequently asked questions
How do you cure a cough fast?
One of the best ways to relieve a cough in children is to use a cool mist humidifier. Older kids can also gargle with salt water for relief from cough symptoms. Other cold and flu symptoms can be managed with pediatric doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen according to the Mayo Clinic. However, antihistamines and decongestants are usually not recommended for children under the age of 6.
How do you stop an uncontrollable cough?
Using a cool mist humidifier or breathing in steam are great home remedies to treat coughs in young children. You can also use a spoonful of honey as a cough remedy for children over the age of 1, according to Children's Health.
When should I be concerned about my child's cough?
Coughs are a common symptom for kids, and usually go away on their own within a few weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic. They note that you should consider urgent care if your child has a persistent cough, a very wet cough, or symptoms of a serious illness like the flu or whooping cough. The flu and whooping cough are two respiratory illnesses that can be serious for young children.
What helps a cough at night?
When you or your child is sick, things seem to always be worse at night—particularly when you're dealing with a respiratory illness. The best nighttime cough remedies according tot he Mayo Clinic include treating other symptoms as well as positioning your child in a way that keeps mucus and phlegm from irritating your child's airway. Using acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help your child get a better night's sleep if they have a fever. Additionally, a cool-mist humidifier nearby at night can help treat nighttime coughs by keeping the air moist.
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