As a parent, hearing your baby or infant coughing may make you feel uneasy, worrying that your child may have severe pain. But fortunately, the occasional cough does not always indicate that it is a disease and of course does not always require cough medicine to overcome it. Did you know that cough is actually a body defence mechanism that protects the baby’s body by removing mucus, irritant-causing substances and infections of the respiratory tract
If left unchecked (no coughing), then these dangerous particles can enter the deeper respiratory tract, making their impact more dangerous. Children may experience coughs several times a day or coughs can last for several weeks if they are found to be causing a viral infection and they can heal on their own.
However, if the cough lasts for more than two to three weeks, then it may be that the baby’s cough is a more serious bacterial infection, and in this case, you should seek the assistance of your doctor.
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Baby Coughs With Phlegm
If a baby cough sounds like there is a lot of phlegm, it may be due to the flu. Like a croup cough, give your child a drink of plenty of water to help ease his cough.
You can also bathe them with warm water to make them feel calmer and help reduce cough.
The flu usually lasts for 1-2 weeks, so if your child has a longer flu, it’s best to take them to see a doctor.
Babies cough at night or during activities
If your child coughs at night or in cold weather, or when your child is doing any physical activity, then it may be a sign of asthma.
Asthma is a condition in which the respiratory tract becomes inflamed and narrows and produces excessive mucus.
If you suspect asthma, take your child to a doctor for a correct diagnosis. They may prescribe you medication, for example, Ventolin evohaler for children.
Baby coughs with other symptoms
If your child has coughing to voice, muscle aches, colds, and high fever, they may be signs of influenza. Influenza, or flu, is a viral disease that affects the respiratory system. The way to treat the flu is simply making sure your child drinks plenty of water and takes symptomatic medications.
Make sure your child has the flu vaccine, too!
Barking cough
If your child’s cough sounds like a barking dog, and you see him having difficulty breathing, then it may be a sign of croup cough. Croup is a viral disease of the throat that can occur if your child has a cold.
The treatment of cough can be difficult and it takes a lot of time and energy to find the right cause, however, with the right investigations, the doctor could provide the right therapy. The doctor will give your child’s cough medicine according to their type of cough, whether it is dry or with sputum. As said, coughs in infants or children lasting more than two weeks are considered chronic, possibly due to asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), reflux or other causes. In this case, you should check with your doctor immediately to find out the cause and provide prompt and timely treatment.