Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisksSafe TreamentCough Not ImprovingWhen to Take Adult Medicine
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Risks
Safe Treament
Cough Not Improving
When to Take Adult Medicine
Infants (babies under 1 year old) should not take cough medicine or syrup unless a healthcare provider instructs it.The following nonmedication interventions are safer alternatives.
This article reviews the risks of giving an infant cough medicine, safe treatment alternatives, what to do when an infant’s cough is not improving, and at what age kids can take adult cough medicines.
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Stay Calm and Be Aware of Serious SymptomsHaving a sick child can be nerve-racking. But it’s important to stay calm, take an active role in your child’s health, and watch for serious symptoms that may require medical attention.
Stay Calm and Be Aware of Serious Symptoms
Having a sick child can be nerve-racking. But it’s important to stay calm, take an active role in your child’s health, and watch for serious symptoms that may require medical attention.
Risks of Infant Cough “Medicine”
Most cough medicines are unsafe for infants due to safety concerns such as overdose,convulsions(involuntary muscle spasms), and heart problems.
Manufacturers label child cough and cold products as unsuitable for children under age 4. However, 2- through 4-year-olds usually can take certain types of cough medicine under the recommendation of a healthcare provider.
Inhalers for Kids 4 and Up: Types, How to Use, Tips
Safe Infant Cough Medicine and Treatment
The following are nonmedicationtreatments that can ease an infant’s cough.
Fluids
Give your little one plenty of fluids to avoiddehydration.Fewer wet diapers and dark urine show they are not getting enough fluids.Fluids thin the mucus, keeping it from getting thicker and clogging the airways.
Fluid choices depend on their age and breastfeeding status. They include:
Bottle-Feeding Safety PrecautionsAlways hold babies slightly upright, at an angle, when bottle-feeding. Do not prop their bottle unless they can independently remove it from their mouth.
Bottle-Feeding Safety Precautions
Always hold babies slightly upright, at an angle, when bottle-feeding. Do not prop their bottle unless they can independently remove it from their mouth.
Bulb Suction and Saline Drops
Using a bulb syringe, parents can usesaline dropsbefore suctioning mucus from the nose or throat. Saline thins the mucus and soothes the lining of the nose.Clearing the airways makes breathing, eating, and drinking easier.
Humidifier
Steam
Run a hot shower with the bathroom door closed, so you and your little one can sit in the steamy bathroom (not the shower). Breathing in steam widens and soothes the airways, which loosens congestion and helps oxygen get deeper into the lungs.
Reduce Allergens or Irritants
Someallergensor irritants can cause or worsen a cough, including:
Tips to Reduce AllergensThe following tipsreduce allergensand irritants:Avoid smoking (even if you smoke outside, smoke lingers on clothing and can irritate a child’s airway).Use an air purifier.Vacuum twice a week using a high-efficiency (HEPA) filter.Use an anti-allergic filter in central air or heat systems.Keep pets out of sleeping areas.Wash linens in warm or hot waterDry linens thoroughly (warm or hot air in the clothes dryer helpsavoid mites).Use an anti-allergic mattress covers.Scrub bathrooms and basements to cut down on mold potential.Occasionally pull curtains back to prevent mold on windowsills.Keep humidity at or below 50% in your home.
Tips to Reduce Allergens
The following tipsreduce allergensand irritants:Avoid smoking (even if you smoke outside, smoke lingers on clothing and can irritate a child’s airway).Use an air purifier.Vacuum twice a week using a high-efficiency (HEPA) filter.Use an anti-allergic filter in central air or heat systems.Keep pets out of sleeping areas.Wash linens in warm or hot waterDry linens thoroughly (warm or hot air in the clothes dryer helpsavoid mites).Use an anti-allergic mattress covers.Scrub bathrooms and basements to cut down on mold potential.Occasionally pull curtains back to prevent mold on windowsills.Keep humidity at or below 50% in your home.
The following tipsreduce allergensand irritants:
Acetaminophen
You can give Tylenol, Feverall, Tempra, Actamin, and Panadol (acetaminophen) to infants 12 weeks or older. It helps reduce fever and discomfort.
For infants less than 12 weeks old, consult a healthcare provider. The provider will want to determine the underlying cause of a fever before recommending acetaminophen.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends giving the following doses of acetaminophen, based on a concentration of 160 milligrams (mg) in every 5 milliliters (mL) of medicine, every four to six hours.
Do Not Give Honey to Infants
Infant Cough Not Getting Better With Medicine
Most infant coughs resolve in two to three days, but some (like those from pertussis) can last for weeks. A lingering cough (lasting more than a few days) can indicate an underlying condition requiring medical treatment.
The following signs and symptoms require immediate medical attention.
In addition, if you feel your child should see a healthcare provider,follow your instincts.
Causes of Infant Coughs
When Are Children Old Enough for Adult Cough Medicine?
Giving adult medicine can be unsafe for young children for the following reasons:
Children are typically old enough for adult cough medicine when they reach adolescence, around age 12.However, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional first, even for teenagers.
Some medications may be safe for younger children under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Children’s Cold Medicine
Summary
Cough medicines are not safe for infants. Healthcare providers recommend using nonmedication interventions such as drinking fluids, suction, saline drops, and humidifiers. A cold is the most common reason for an infant’s cough. Other underlying causes include allergies, asthma, RSV, the flu, croup, pertussis, and COVID-19.
Most coughs are minor and resolve within a couple of days. See a healthcare provider if it lingers longer or if they have other symptoms like fever, difficulty breathing, lethargy, and dehydration.
16 Sources
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