Coughing can interfere with your infant's sleep and make it difficult for her to eat or play. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns against the use of any type of over-the-counter cough and cold medicine in children younger than four, so it can be difficult for parents to decide how to treat their infant's cough. While time and rest are the only cures for coughs due to cold and flu viruses, you can help relieve your baby's cough using time-tested and pediatrician-approved home remedies.
Steam Inhalation
Steam can help thin out congestion and make it easier for your child to cough it up. This helps alleviate a "barky" or "croupy" cough. Take your baby into your bathroom, and turn on a hot shower so that the room fills with hot, steamy air. Pediatrician and child development expert Dr. William Sears suggests staying in the room with your baby for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the steam to do its work. He also recommends using this treatment at least twice a day---in the mornings and evenings---until your baby's condition improves.
Moist Air
Run a cool-mist humidifier in your baby's room to add moisture to the air. It can keep baby's chest and nose clear of congestion and reduce nighttime coughing incidents. To prevent it from growing mold, clean the humidifier and air out your baby's room daily. Kathi Kemper, a professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the author of "The Holistic Pediatrician" suggests adding a few drops of eucalyptus or pine oil to the vaporizer, or to your baby's bath, to alleviate congestion and relieve coughing.
Fluids
Offer your baby liquids frequently and make sure he continues to breastfeed or drink his normal amount of formula. Liquids soothe baby's sore throat and thin out congestion. The Mayo Clinic suggests that breastfeeding provides extra cold-fighting benefits, so continue to nurse your baby frequently while he battles the cold. Avoid giving extra fluids to babies under four months, but older babies can have a bit of extra water or juice--if approved by your pediatrician.
Upright Position
Raising your baby's crib so that she sleeps in an inclined position---or holding her upright against your shoulder while she snoozes---can help relieve her post-nasal drip and lessen nighttime coughing. Never place pillows or towels inside the crib with your baby. Instead, roll up a blanket or towel and place it between the mattress and crib springs, so that it props baby into a slightly inclined position. You might also consider letting her sleep in her infant car seat or swing while she fights the cold.
