Coughs are common in babies because of their exceptionally sensitive airways. Thankfully, occasional coughing isn’t always a cause of concern. In many cases, it may simply be due to a small bit of saliva going into the trachea. However, persistent coughs may need special care as they can interfere with a baby’s sleeping and eating.
Treating a cough as an adult is fairly straightforward. In most cases, an over-the-counter cough medication may be enough to provide needed relief. However, a baby’s developing body may be especially sensitive to adult medications, which often contain active ingredients that are too potent for young children. Even in cases where such medications could be used in low doses, the side effects can be particularly adverse. For these reasons, using baby-safe cough treatments like ambroxol for baby is necessary to ensure a baby’s comfort without unnecessarily risking their health.
A Word of Caution
Parents should know that a cough is usually a symptom rather than the root cause of a problem. A common cold, allergies, and environmental irritants are all potential reasons for persistent coughs in infants (and even adults). Because babies have few ways to communicate discomfort, parents must observe if their cough or other symptoms seem to be resulting from some other cause. Once this is identified, treatments will have a much better chance of success.
Before resorting to home treatments or popular OTC cough medicines, consult a licensed pediatrician before trying any treatment for your baby. They can help you identify the underlying cause of the cough and provide safe recommendations to help speed up your baby’s recovery.
- Humidifiers
Generally speaking, the Philippines is already quite humid to begin with. In most rooms, humidifiers may only serve to saturate the air and encourage mold growth. The big exception, however, is in air-conditioned rooms. Filipino families are now more likely than ever to purchase air-conditioners to fight the often-oppressive heat and humidity to help encourage good sleep. However, the cool and dry conditions that may be pleasant for adults may irritate a baby’s sensitive airways, encouraging coughing.
If your baby only coughs when they’re in an air-conditioned room, a humidifier may be an easy solution. Ensure the humidifier is cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of potentially harmful mold or bacteria.
- Nasal Spray
Nasal congestion can cause a baby to breathe through their mouth, increasing the chances of dry airways and coughing. Using a pediatrician-recommended baby nasal spray can help clear a baby’s nasal passages safely, enabling them to breathe normally. If their nose continues to be clogged, follow up with gentle suction using a bulb aspirator to remove excess mucus.
- Warm Baths
A warm bath can help relieve baby’s coughs by loosening mucus and relaxing their airways, with the steam from the bath also acting as a natural decongestant. However, you must make sure that the water temperature is safe, around 37 to 38°C. Most importantly, never leave your baby unsupervised during bathtime to avoid serious mishaps.
- Avoiding Smoky or Polluted Environments
Tobacco smoke, vapes, pet dander, and strong perfumes are just some of the everyday irritants that can exacerbate a baby’s coughing. Even if a baby is normally able to tolerate these irritants, they may make coughing worse if they are sick.
Even if your baby isn’t coughing persistently, try to control your baby’s environment so that it’s free of irritants and pollutants. If you smoke or vape, quit the habit or avoid doing these in front of your baby. Also, consider investing in a good quality air purifier for your baby’s room if you have pets or live in an area with significant air pollution.
- Slightly Elevating Your Baby’s Head at Bedtime
If your baby only coughs when they’re on their back, they may be experiencing postnasal drip, a common cause of nighttime coughing. Try using a wedge pillow or elevate the mattress under their crib at a shallow angle so that the baby’s feet are slightly lower than their head. Remember to never place loose pillows directly under your baby’s to avoid the risk of suffocation.
- Keeping Your Baby Hydrated
Regardless of the ultimate cause of coughing, proper hydration is essential for ensuring a comfortable recovery. In most cases, giving babies the recommended amounts of breast milk or infant formula will give them the hydration they need as well as the nutrients required by their immune system. If you baby is old enough, supplementing with electrolyte drinks and clean water can also enable better hydration and keep your baby comfortable.
Find All Your Baby’s Cough Treatment Essentials at Southstar Drug
If your baby develops a persistent cough, consult your pediatrician immediately so that you can start administering the right treatments. Fortunately, coughing in babies is usually harmless and easily treated through a variety of methods. Whatever your pediatrician recommends, you can depend on Southstar Drug to offer trusted products tailored to your child’s health and comfort needs.
