Table of contents
- Causes and benefits of (cold) cough in babies
- Home remedies for cough in babies
- Ultimate home remedy: chest wraps for coughs in babies
- When does a cough go away in babies?
While we adults can cope with coughs and colds quite well, a cold like this is stressful for babies. Especially when the little ones are plagued by coughs.
Depending on the age of the baby, it is advisable to see a doctor if you have a cough. This applies if the child is under three months old and coughs, if the baby's cough is accompanied by a fever or if the child generally appears weak and listless.
If the cough causes breathing problems, you should not hesitate to call an ambulance.
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'Barking cough' that is dry and makes 'roaring' noises may be a sign of pseudocroup or croup cough. It mainly occurs at night and can lead to breathing problems in the child. It can also occur during the day and cause wheezing and hoarseness. If you have symptoms like these, you should always go to a pediatrician.
If the cough is a symptom of a 'simple' infection, home remedies can help to improve the cough and help the baby sleep better at night.
Causes and benefits of (cold) cough in babies
Cold-related coughs in young and old are often caused by viruses that first attack the upper respiratory tract and lead to a stuffy nose. As the cold progresses, the viruses can also affect the lower respiratory tract. There the mucous membranes react to the intruders and want to get rid of them again, we cough.
At the beginning of a cold, the cough in babies and adults is only dry. In this phase, doctors speak of an acute cough. It can be over after just a few days.
However, once the viruses have made themselves comfortable in the bronchi, the mucous membranes react by producing mucus. The cough changes and becomes moister. This productive cough ensures that the germs can be coughed up along with mucus. In babies, this type of cough often sounds rattling.
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Home remedies for cough in babies
Since coughing is a protective mechanism of the body against foreign bodies, it is not advisable to suppress it. Instead, you can help the body get rid of the thing that is causing the cough. So what home remedies can improve coughs in babies?
Drink a lot
Coughing causes a dry throat and dry mucous membranes in babies and adults alike. In order for the latter to be able to produce enough of the important mucus to transport the viruses away, increasing the amount of water you drink can help. Breastfed babies should be put on more often if they have a cough, older babies should drink more (warm) water or unsweetened teas.
Humid air
The urge to cough can be particularly disruptive at night. To help your baby sleep better and cough less at night, increasing the humidity in the bedroom can help. You can do this by hanging a towel moistened with warm water near the baby. This protects the mucous membranes from drying out and can reduce the urge to cough.
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Onion juice for babies from 6 months
You can easily make your own cough suppressant, which also has an antibacterial effect, using onions and sugar. To do this, dice an onion, put it in a preserving jar and sprinkle with three tablespoons of sugar. Set aside for at least three to six hours, waiting for the sugar to dissolve and combine with the onion's released juice. Strain the mixture through a sieve.
You can give your coughing baby a teaspoon of the juice several times a day. It is not a classic medication, so you cannot overdose on it.
DangerIf you want to add honey to the onion juice! Honey is not suitable for babies under two years old as it is a raw, natural product.
Ultimate home remedy: chest wraps for coughs in babies
Onion breast wrap for babies from 6 monthsn
Onion juice can also be used as a compress to combat coughs in babies. To do this, roughly chop an onion and place it on a cloth diaper. Fold this so that it fits around your baby's chest. Using a rolling pin, roll over the onions using a little pressure to squeeze out the juice.
Ideally, the wrap should be made warm (not hot) and then placed on the child's chest for about 20 minutes. It can also be tied with a scarf or larger cloth.
Thyme chest compress for coughs in babies
In addition to onion, thyme is also suitable for a chest compress in babies to relieve coughs and improve symptoms. The plant's essential oils have an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect on the bronchi.
To make a tyme wrap, simply pour approx. 500 ml of hot water over 2 teaspoons of thyme herb and let it steep for 10 minutes. Pour the mixture onto a cloth diaper. Only wrap it around the child's chest when the cloth is no longer hot, but if possible still comfortably warm. Place another towel around it, cover the child well and leave the wrap on for 30 - 60 minutes (if it stays warm and the child feels comfortable with it).
When does a cough go away in babies?
Simple cold coughs in babies should subside after a few days to a maximum of two weeks. If other symptoms such as fever, fatigue or shortness of breath occur, you should always consult a pediatrician.
Other warning signs of coughing in babies that require immediate medical attention include:
- Shortness of breath
- bluish discolored lips
- Pulled skin on the front of the neck when inhaling (indicates difficulty breathing)
- sudden, severe coughing fit (indicates swallowing of a foreign body)
- distinct noises when inhaling and exhaling
If a baby's cough lasts longer than two weeks, i.e. there were no cough breaks, a baby should also be treated promptly A doctor should be consulted.
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Important note: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace a diagnosis from a pediatrician. If you have any uncertainties, urgent questions or complaints, you should contact your pediatrician. The medical on-call service can be reached via the nationwide number 116117.
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