Croup is an illness that affects mostly babies and children. It's characterized by difficulty breathing and a distinct cough that sounds like barking. Croup may require a visit to the doctor for medication that makes breathing easier, and rarely, children need to be hospitalized and given oxygen. Most of the time, though, home remedies are effective in controlling croup and helping your little one feel better. Croup usually lasts only a few days to a week.
Moisturize the Air
Adding moisture to the air may help open your child's airways and help him to breathe more easily. Run a cool mist humidifier in your child's room. Make sure the humidifier and the cord are out of your child's reach to avoid injury. Run the humidifier every night until the croup is gone. Try taking your baby into the bathroom with the hot water turned on after the room has filled with steam. Be sure that your little one doesn't get near the water so he doesn't get burned. Hold him on your lap in the steamy room for several minutes, but make sure he doesn't get too warm.
Cool Down
Moving into a cooler environment may help your little one feel better. If it's chilly outside, wrap your child in a blanket and go for a walk in the brisk night air. Don't go out if the temperatures are dangerously low -- extreme cold can aggravate breathing problems. MayoClinic.com recommends staying out in the cool night air for a few minutes before going back inside.
Sleep it Off
Sleeping allows your child to conserve energy and fight off the croup. Encourage your little one to sleep by rocking her, playing soothing music, or minimizing rambunctious play. If your child is a little older, snuggle up on the couch with a favorite movie or a stack of books and see if the quiet time can lull her into sleep. Lying down can make it more difficult to breathe, so try letting baby sleep in her car seat or an infant swing. Let your older child rest against a stack of pillows to keep her semi-upright.
Pain Relief
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help ease the pain caused by harsh, heavy coughing. Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are unlikely to help and aren't recommended for children under 5 years old, so avoid those products.
Prescription Medication
If your child seems very uncomfortable or is struggling to breathe, call the doctor. He may prescribe corticosteroids or epinephrine to ease your baby's breathing. If the croup is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed, but they won't help if it's caused by something else like a virus or allergies.
Hospitalization
In rare cases, kids' breathing can become so impaired that they require hospitalization. If your child is hospitalized for croup, he will probably be placed on humidified oxygen to assist his breathing. In extreme cases a tube may have to be placed in the windpipe so your child can breathe.
General Care
Whether your child is at home, at the doctor's office or in the hospital, stay calm and relaxed and try and keep your baby calm -- crying can make the cough worse. If baby has a favorite stuffed animal or other comfort object, try to make sure she has it with her. Offer plenty of fluids -- staying hydrated is especially important when your child is sick. Croup can be scary for both you and your child, but staying calm will help your baby relax and feel better.
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