Toddler Cough

Coughing in children and toddlers is quite common. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recently recommended against giving over-the-counter cold and cough medicine to children under the age of 6. Visit the links on this site for healthy alternatives and home remedies to cure your toddler's cough.

Toddler Cough

A toddler's cough can be caused by a multitude of factors, including: viral infections, bacterial infections, inhaled irritants, allergies, and asthma.

Virus’ often cause cough in children. Colds, bronchitis, and croup are the most common. These illnesses are not treated with antibiotics and generally run their course. Sinus infections and more serious bacterial infections such as pertussis (whooping cough) also cause coughing symptoms; these can be treated with antibacterial medication.

What your toddler is breathing can also be causing his cough. Inhaled irritants such as pollen, dust, and smoke can cause your child’s allergies to act up and the coughing to persist. Asthma, in particular Cough Variant Asthma, can also be the culprit.

Regardless of the cause of your toddler’s cough, you’ll want to make him comfortable, especially while sleeping. Use a vaporizer or cool-mist humidifier and have him drink plenty of fluids. These two solutions will keep his mucus loose and his coughs productive. It is best to avoid cough drops for children under the age of four but you can acheive the same effect with warm liquids mixed with honey (avoid honey for those under the age of one). You can also try elevating your toddler's head while sleeping to prevent mucus build up in the throat and lungs.