Coughing at the baby

Introduction

Nearly every baby will suffer from coughing once in addition to a cold, which understandably worries many parents. However, coughing is not an illness in itself, but a symptom that can occur in the context of many diseases. There are completely harmless types of cough, but there are also some forms with which one should definitely consult a doctor with one’s child. But how do you differentiate between the different types of cough and what can you do about it yourself?

When should I take my baby to the doctor?

When a baby coughs, this can have many causes. Depending on the cause, medical treatment at different speeds is advisable. In general, a cough that lasts longer than 2 days should be clarified by a doctor.

Often babies do not show certain diseases as distinctly as later in life. Therefore symptoms in babies must be taken very seriously. First of all, coughing in babies should be regarded as a protective reflex.

This ensures that potentially foreign and dangerous substances do not enter the baby’s lungs. If the cough is a dry, typically barking cough, it can be a sign of laryngitis. In this case, squeaky breathing and a hoarse voice are groundbreaking symptoms.

This should be clarified by a physician. If the cough is damp, it is more likely to be an infection of the lungs. This can subside within a few days with no further complaints, but should be kept in mind. If, for example, fever and shortness of breath occur, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible.

Therapy

In principle, the therapy of coughs always depends on the underlying cause. However, since most of the triggers cannot be treated causally and the use of many medications should not be carried out without risk, especially with small children (the use of essential oils such as menthol or eucalyptus is even strictly forbidden with babies because it can cause breathing difficulties), treatment is often purely symptomatic. In general, it helps to ensure that babies with a cough have a sufficient fluid intake.

This causes the mucus in the airways to liquefy and can be coughed up more easily. Also tapping massages, special positioning and fresh air (except in the case of high fever, children with coughs are usually well advised. Many cough remedies are freely available in pharmacies.

When choosing one, one must distinguish between a productive cough, which is characterized by the secretion of mucus (the aim here is to liquefy the mucus so that it can be coughed up more easily – this can be achieved, for example, with the help of cough syrups containing ivy extract) and an unproductive cough, in which no mucus has yet formed that can be suppressed with medication to stop the agonizing cough. However, a cough blocker should never be administered without the express prescription of a doctor. Some home remedies, such as cough teas, hot milk with honey or a chest compress, can also help to relieve a baby’s cough.

Since coughing in the context of respiratory tract infections is usually caused by viruses, there is no specific therapy, and even these babies can only be treated symptomatically. Antipyretic agents or nasal sprays are used, for example. However, if bacteria are the cause of the cough, an antibiotic can be prescribed, which must be taken according to the doctor’s instructions.

Typical home remedies that help against coughing in babies include drinking plenty of fluids, walks in the fresh air, steam baths and quark wraps. To do this, 50 to 100 grams of low-fat curd cheese are heated to body temperature in a water bath and placed in two cotton cloths. After a short wait, the curd wrap is placed on the baby’s chest for about 20 minutes and left there.

The quark has an expectorant, relaxing and decongesting effect. Teas and water are particularly suitable for drinking. Especially elderberry tea and fennel tea, which can be sweetened with honey, have a decongestant and soothing effect on the bronchial tubes.

Another well-tried household remedy is onion juice with honey or rock candy, which is easy to prepare and has an anti-inflammatory effect due to its essential and antibacterial ingredients. Inhalations with an infusion of sage also have a calming effect on the bronchial tubes and liquefy viscous mucus, which occurs especially during productive coughing.Inhalations with essential oils should be avoided urgently for babies and infants, as the substances they contain can cause respiratory arrest. Another way to relieve coughing in babies is to place the head higher up when sleeping.

An additional pillow or towels that raise the top of the mattress and the baby’s head can help to drain off viscous secretions and clear the airways. Especially with babies, many parents are reluctant to give antibiotics and other purely chemical medicines. Many parents reach therefore rather to conventional household remedies or to Hom?opathie, which exist on a vegetable basis.

If not differently ordered 3 to 5 globules in the 6-er power should be given to the baby and infant. Afterwards the dose is reduced to 2-4 globules per day. Typical plants that can help against coughing in the baby are thyme, ivy, aniseed, primrose, and ribwort. Due to their expectorant and cough-suppressant effect, they help the baby to expectorate and at the same time calm the bronchial tubes. If there is no improvement or even a worsening of the condition after a few days, a pediatrician should definitely be consulted.