cough with congestion

Jenny0205

DS woke up with a nasty cough.  He is kinda gurgly like he can't seem to cough up the mucus.  Is there anything I can give him?  Is vicks vapor rub safe for infants?

As soon as I finish typing I was going to take him into the bathroom and get it nice and steamy to help loosen the congestion.  Any other suggestions?    no fever, no runny nose, just this cough.

Jeannie143

no suggestions, but I know what you mean - DD woke up with the same thing, she sounded so pathetic, I can relate:(

goodgollie

DS has the same thing.  Poor guy.  I just give lots of fluids and run the humidifier whenever he's sleeping.  Not much else you can do.

ms_mellor

We had the same thing a while back.  The biggest issue we had was that DD wouldn't cough...her chest would roll, and she seemed to not notice.  When she did cough, it would be one pathetic little cough, and then off she'd go.  It finally just went away (lots of fluids and the humidifier...I tried the hot shower, but it did no good).

I know here in Canada they have said a big NO to vick's vapo rub for babies (they've pulled the baby kind off the shelves).  I think part of the reason was that people weren't using it properly (one study stated people putting on their DC's lips). 

Jenny0205

goodgollie:

  I just give lots of fluids and run the humidifier whenever he's sleeping. .

Do you use a cool mist humidifier or warm?

mattnlinz03

DS had this a couple of weeks ago.  When I took a shower I put him in his booster in the bathroom with me so he could play and get the steam.  I do take really hot showers so it was perfect.  I also turned the humidifier on high when he was sleeping.  He went to daycare and she let him sleep as much as possible.  It never turned into anything else and was gone it about a week.

Pesky

Just lots of humidity (humidifier and steamy shower) and push fluids, especially warm ones -- warm water, warm chamomile tea, etc.

lorik0428

Sarah had a horrible cold (that she lovingly shared with me) that turned into a chest cough.  She would cough so much she'd throw up.  Her pedi said it was "a touch of bronchitis" and put her on antibiotics.  He also said to keep the humidifier running at night while she's sleeping, elevate one end of her mattress (to keep her head up - which never works for her, she just spins around so her feet are elevated) and to give her soy formula instead of milk as milk products increase the amount of mucous.  Since we started this last week, the cough has stopped and the "crackling" in her chest has gotten better.  She has a follow up appointment on Friday so hopefully the doctor will give her the "all clear"!