Cough: Treatment & Care

Coughing is a healthy reflex that helps clear the airways. A severe cough or one that lasts more than 2–3 weeks needs a medical checkup. Many coughs are caused by a virus that needs to run its course and get better on its own. Sometimes, this can take up to two weeks. 

In the meantime, there are plenty of ways to help your child feel more comfortable.

How Are Coughs Treated?

The treatment for a cough depends on what’s causing it. Doctors usually don't prescribe antibiotics because those work only against bacteria.

Should I Give My Child Cough Medicine?

Cough medicines are not recommended for any child under 4 years old. For kids ages 4–6, ask your doctor before giving any cough or cold medicines.

In general, it’s best not to give your child cough medicine. While it might help stop coughing, it doesn't treat the cause of the cough and doesn’t work very well in kids. In fact, cough medicine can make kids drowsy or dizzy, and may dry mucus and the throat so it’s harder to cough properly. If you do use an over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine, first call your doctor to make sure it's safe for your child and to learn the correct dose.

Do not use OTC combination medicines (like "Tylenol Cold") — they have more than one medicine in them, and kids can have more side effects than adults. Kids are also more likely to get an overdose of the medicine.

What Are Some Home Remedies to Ease a Child’s Cough?

Lots of Liquids

Encourage your child to drink lots of liquids to help thin out mucus, making it easier to cough it up. Being well hydrated also helps kids recover from illness. 

Offer babies breast milk or formula. For older kids, cool drinks like juice can be soothing. But avoid soda or orange juice, because these can hurt a throat that’s sore from coughing. Warm liquids sometimes help, so you can try warm tea or soup. 

Honey or Lozenges

Children older than 1 year can have a small spoonful of honey to help ease a cough and soothe the throat. Do not give honey to kids younger than 1 year because it has bacteria that can be harmful to them. 

Kids older than 4 or 5 years can try sucking on a lozenge or hard candy to relieve a cough. Avoid giving cough drops or hard candy to kids younger than age 3 because they can choke on them. 

Saline

Saline can help loosen mucus and make it easier to breathe. So, if your child has a cold or post-nasal drip, saline nasal mists or saline rinses may help reduce coughing. Saline drops can help younger kids. 

Steam

For a barking or "croupy" cough, turn on the hot water in the shower and close the bathroom door so the room will steam up. Then, sit in the bathroom with your child for about 20 minutes. The steam should help your child breathe more easily. Try reading a book together to pass the time.

Cool Care

A cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom might help with sleep.

Sometimes, being in cool air outdoors for 10–15 minutes can relieve a cough. Make sure to dress your child appropriately for the outdoor weather.

When Should I Get Medical Care for a Cough?

Get medical care if your baby or child:

• is younger than 4 months old
• has a blue or pale color in the lips, face, or tongue during or after coughing
• is weak, cranky, or irritable
• is dehydrated (signs include dizziness, drowsiness, a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, crying with little or no tears, or peeing less often)is breathing fast or working hard to breathe
• has severe cough spasms or attacks, stridor (a high-pitched sound when breathing in), wheezing, or a “whooping” sound when breathing in after coughing
• is coughing up blood or mucus
• has a cough that lasts more than two weeks, gets worse, happens the same time every year, or seems caused by something specific (such as pollen, dust, pets, etc.)
• has a fever that lasts more than a couple of days