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what can you do for a 2 year old with a really bad cough?

mrs. remymrs. remy
in Maryland Babies

Poor DS has been sick this week and has a pretty bad cough. It doesn't really get bad until he lays down for a nap or bedtime. Then he hacks really hard. Daycare called and said he was coughing pretty bad, almost to the point of throwing up.

I remember last year taking him in for a cough and they basically said if he didn't have a fever or he wasn't struggling to breathe it was just a cold/viral thing that had to run its course. I'm thinking if he's still hacking like this in the morning I will take him in but in the mean time is there anything I can do to ease it? Anyone know?

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Re: what can you do for a 2 year old with a really bad cough?

  • KathrynMDKathrynMD member

    do you have a humifiier?  I know some people use the Vicks rub and say it works well but I've never used it.

    Have you tried elevating his head? 

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  • mrs. remymrs. remy
    yeah we have humidifiers in all the bedrooms....he ends up in our bed most nights. I have given him several pillows to try to get him to sleep semi-propped up but the kid moves a lot when he sleeps and most of the time is at the foot of the bed by morning.
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  • weezie825weezie825 member

    DD has chronic ear and sinus infections, so we deal with this a lot.  The coughing is probably being caused by the post-nasal drip.  If your child has had benadryl before, you can use that to dry up the mucus, which will eliminate the post-nasal drip, thus stopping the cough.

    Please note that this is an OFF LABEL use for benadryl, which is actually an antihistamine.  Its purpose is to stop watery eyes & runny noses caused by an allergic reaction.  It doesn't supress the cough it eliminates what is causing the cough.  We have received approval from our pediatrician to do this.

    Good Luck tonight mama!

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  • Kaybee44Kaybee44
    imageweezie825:

    DD has chronic ear and sinus infections, so we deal with this a lot.  The coughing is probably being caused by the post-nasal drip.  If your child has had benadryl before, you can use that to dry up the mucus, which will eliminate the post-nasal drip, thus stopping the cough.

    Please note that this is an OFF LABEL use for benadryl, which is actually an antihistamine.  Its purpose is to stop watery eyes & runny noses caused by an allergic reaction.  It doesn't supress the cough it eliminates what is causing the cough.  We have received approval from our pediatrician to do this.

    Good Luck tonight mama!

    When B had a bad cough but not croupy sounding, the on call doctor told us to give him Benadryl. It's hard to elevate their heads when they move around in their sleep. I would take him tomorrow if it concerns you. The doctor should see you guys no matter how big a deal it is. 

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  • ThePastor'sWifeThePastor'sWife member

    Ditto Weezie and Kaybee on the Benadryl. Our pedi was the one to recommend that to us. 

    We also have success w/ giving DS a teaspoon of honey to coat his throat. We also do the Vicks rub on the chest and on the soles of his feet w/ socks over it, as well as run his humidifier. We can't elevate one part of his mattress or give him a pillow b/c he moves too much. 

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  • mdharris29mdharris29

    I second the Vicks. It sounds crazy but it works. Slather her feet and put socks over them. Also, we use homeopathic cough meds. They work great! Better than real meds, but only for 3-4 hours. We actually go in and give another dose before the time is up (overnight) to keep the cough from starting up again. 

     Chestal Cough Syrup and Hylands Cough 4 Kids- are great but have Honey so don't use under 1. 

     

    There is one that does not have honey that we use but I can't remember the name and I don't have a bottle right now.  


     

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  • jcsntms06jcsntms06 member
    imageThePastor'sWife:

    Ditto Weezie and Kaybee on the Benadryl. Our pedi was the one to recommend that to us. 

    We also have success w/ giving DS a teaspoon of honey to coat his throat. We also do the Vicks rub on the chest and on the soles of his feet w/ socks over it, as well as run his humidifier. We can't elevate one part of his mattress or give him a pillow b/c he moves too much. 

    Another vote for honey in warm water or tea. We were actually told not to give A Benadryl. 

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  • KathrynMDKathrynMD member
    DD has had a bad cough the last few nights - I'm taking notes on all this!
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  • anonsouthernbellanonsouthernbell member
    If you can use local, raw honey as it will help more.  (I read an article not to long ago about how most of the honey sold in grocery stores isn't really honey b/c it has been over-processed.)
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