The most common cause of coughing and a runny nose in toddlers is a viral infection. You toddler might have other symptoms, such as a low-grade fever, irritability, difficult sleeping or sneezing, according to MayoClinic.com. Understanding how to make your child more comfortable – and when she needs help – will help you handle the viral infection.
Cool Mist Humidifier
Dry air will irritate your toddler’s cough. You can improve coughing by placing a cool mist humidifier in your toddler’s room. Place the humidifier away from bedding and clothing. It can make fabric wet, which promotes mold growth. Also, change water daily to prevent bacteria and mold spores from contaminating your toddler’s air.
Steamy Room
Another way to relieve your toddler’s cough and congestion is sitting with him in a steamy bathroom. Turn the shower facet to hot and leave the bathroom for a few minutes. Come back when the room is steamy and sit in the bathroom with your child. Leave the bathroom and monitor your toddler’s symptoms. His cough and congestion should seem better. Don’t ever leave your toddler alone in the bathroom.
Medication
Cough suppressants aren’t recommended for children under the age of 2, according to MayoClinic.com. However, for children over the age of 1, you can use a natural cough suppressant: honey. Mix honey with warm water and a little lemon. Have your toddler drink it before bed to relieve her cough. Never give honey to a child age 1 or younger. It poses a risk of infant botulism, a serious type of food poisoning, reports MayoClinic.com.
Red Flags
If your toddler is coughing so hard he’s vomiting or he having trouble breathing, seek medical attention. Also, monitor his temperature. A toddler with a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher needs medical advice. Watch how your toddler acts. A toddler that is lethargic or unresponsive is a red flag. Also, if your toddler stops eating or drinking, seek medical advice. When in doubt, always contact your toddler’s doctor, who can assist with monitoring your child’s symptoms.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Common Cold in Babies; October 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Cough; September 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Honey: An Effective Cough Remedy?; March 2010
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Treating Coughs and Colds; January 2008
- American Academy of Pediatrics; Caring for a Child with a Viral Infection; December 2010
