Any illness in a baby can be distressing to you and to him. While most of the time a cough does not indicate a serious condition. If it is accompanied by troubling symptoms, have it checked by a doctor; often, a simple cough can be treated or managed effectively at home.
The Common Cold
Your baby may catch as many as seven colds during her first year of life, says MayoClinic.com. One symptom of the common cold is coughing; others include a runny nose, a low-grade fever and difficulty eating and sleeping. Postnasal drip may be causing the coughing. Reduce this by placing saline drops in your baby's nose and suctioning them, along with the mucus, with a rubber bulb syringe. Run a humidfier in her bedroom to help keep her nasal passages and throat moist; this can relieve a sore throat and cough exacerbated by dry air. Offer her plenty of fluids to soothe a scratchy throat. Babies under 6 months old should receive only breast milk or baby formula, and older babies can drink small amounts of water or diluted juice.
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Another common cause of coughing in babies is gastroesophageal reflux. This happens when your baby's stomach acid, along with breast milk or baby formula, backs up into his throat and causes irritation. Other symptoms include frequent spitting up, vomiting and poor feeding. Feed your baby small amounts frequently, to avoid overfeeding. Also, keep him upright after a feeding to help keep the contents in the stomach. Once you add solids to your baby's diet, around 6 months of age, his reflux may get better. Ask his pediatrician about starting baby cereal early; don't give cereal to a baby under 4 months of age without the advice of his doctor.
Medication
Do not give your baby any medication without her doctor's advice. Cough and cold medications are not recommended for babies under 2 years old. They can cause a rapid heart rate and convulsions, and they are not very effective in young children. Your baby's doctor may recommend antacids if her cough is coming from reflux. If she has a fever along with her cough, call the doctor or pharmacist to find out the correct dosage of a fever reducer, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Seeking Medical Care
If your baby is under 3 months of age and has a fever along with his cough, call the pediatrician. Call if an older baby's fever is above 102 degrees. Also call if a cough or cold last longer than two weeks, seems severe or if he's unable to eat or sleep. Since a cold can occasionally cause a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection, take him to see a doctor if his symptoms seem to be getting worse instead of better. If your baby has reflux, call if there is blood in his spit-up, if he is projectile-vomiting or if you think he may be losing weight.
