My son's cough?

Question

Hello, my son has had a bad cough for the last couple of days. The dr. says just to give him tylenol. which hasn't been working good for him. Any advice on any home remedies?? anything?? i hate to see him like that for so long. :( He's 15 months

Answer 1

Vicks Vaporub Baby. I did this when my daughter was breathing really crackly and coughing. I put a thin layer, just enough to coat her chest, on before her nap and another before bed. Works like a charm!

You may also want to consider getting a humidifier and have that running in her room...it really helps.

Answer 2

Two things I always do for my son are: 1) A humidifier (either cool or warm....try each and see which works better) and 2) Cough expectorant (not suppressant). Suppressants can make the cough worse and lead to worse conditions such as bronchitis. An expectorant will help loosen up the phlegm and make the cough more productive.

I'm not sure why the doctor is prescribing Tylenol. Does your son have a fever or is it just help him be more comfortable? If it doesn't appear to be doing anything for him, then follow your instinct on whether to keep giving it or not. If the cough lasts more than a week and doesn't seem to be getting better, I would make another appointment to go back in and see the doctor.

Hope your little guy feels better soon! :)

Answer 3

I would try Tylenol cold and cough. Triminic night time cold and cough works well for bed time but won't relieve a fever. I also really like the baby vapor bath. You put it into the bath water and it helps break up phlegm and clears out stuffy noses. A vaporizer works good too. My son is sick with a bad cough at this moment too and this is what I am doing. If on the medicine for more than 7 days I would take him back to the Ped. At that point he probably has an upper-respiratory infection.

Answer 4

At the drug store they have Little Remidies brand of lolly pops for little kids that are supposed to help with the cough. They are dye free and come in a few flavors. My daughter loves them and they have the safety sticks.

My other suggestion is to steam up your bathroom by running a hot shower and you and your son sit in there and read some books for 15-20 minutes. I know the steam helps my daughter when shes coughing and congested.

Good Luck... and btw Tylenol doesnt work for the coughs... tylenol is best for fevers.... even the cold and cough one.

Answer 5

Argh - the cough. My daughter (she's 5) goes through this every winter - has a cough almost all winter long. If the doc saw him and listened to his chest, he must be confident it isn't anything serious. I would talk to a pharmacist and see if he's old enough to take any of the cough suppressants that are sold over the counter. I find if you can get one that works, it will at least help them sleep and then they can get better. Good luck!

Answer 6

Bring him in the bathroom turn on the shower as hot as possible then you and him sit on the floor or toilet and let him breath in the steam for as long as possible. That has always helped my children when they have sore throats or a cough. Maybe try using a cool mist humidifier in his room at night. That helps my daughters asthma cough. well hope this helps you out some. Also that your son feels better soon.

Answer 7

Tylenol for a cough? Wrong!

He needs to be given cough medicine--not something for headaches. Sit him in front of a humidifier as well. It will help ease his cough and clear his lungs.

Answer 8

I think all the answers given are very good...the only other thing I would recommend would be to take the baby off of his milk for a couple of days. My Dr always told me that when they are congested to remove the milk...it makes everything thicker..and if you think about it it really does. Just give him juices or if you are from the south....a little sweet tea...that is what I always did for mine.

Answer 9

Prepare ginger tea with a pinch of turmeric.If ur child can not drink tea try with milk.Boil milk with crushed ginger and a pinch of turmeric.Sieve it before giving it to ur child.After drinking don't let him go out in cool places instead let him sleep covered in blanket.
Why not have a checkup done...i mean lung x-ray.Then u can be tension free and just home medicine will work out well within few days.

Answer 10

Lemon tea with honey. You can make it yourself - cut up a lemon and put about half of it with 2 cups of water and boil it on the stove. Let it cool down and add honey - still make sure it's warm, just not mouth burning hot. Tell him it's hot lemonade. Also Vic's on his chest at night will help.
PS - if you buy the lemon tea at the store - make sure it's decaf.