My daughter is sick, it's so hard to hear her cough. The only medicine I can find for her age is a decongestant. When she coughs, I can hear the mucas in her throat, and how uncomfortable she is. Any ideas on what I can do for her?
Thanks for all the sleeping advice. We are doing great now.
1 t. of honey with a spash of lemon will work well (sometimes better than over the counter stuff) and a humidifier. Also put a scarf around her neck. One problem is that the mucus can't get all the way up for her to get rid of it becasue it gets cool as it get closer to the top and begins to solidify. Kepping her neck wraped will help the mucus stay warm on the way up and she will have an easier time coughing it up.
Check with her doctor, the FDA recently said not to give decongestents to children under 2. Also, try a humidifer (Vicks Warm version is $13 at Wal-Mart). The moisture can really help their coughs. Also Vicks Vapo Rub on her throat and chest can help; I think she is old enough for this, also, they make a more mild version for babies. Good luck--coughs hang on for a long time after colds are gone so don't worry unless it goes on for 3-4 weeks. Also, if it's a "productive" cough (sounds wet and mucus-y) that is a good sign that her phlegm is breaking up. Eventually it will go away--babies have a hard time getting rid of mucus because they can't really spit it up. My little boy actually threw up a couple of times because of the coughing, which was scary, but at least he got rid of the yuck! Anyway, hang with it, it will get better.
Dear J.,
You have already had some great ideas offered. You didn't say how old your daughter is. Honey is only ok if they are over 1 year of age.
Some things that thin mucus- as was written, no milk products, however breast milk is great. You can make a gruel out of Slippery Elm Bark with some warm water and I like to add honey with a little cinnamon to taste. It is quite nice tasting and helps lessen the mucus. Just feed her a few spoonfuls three times a day at least. Also Fenugreek in a tea form or tincture is very helpful. I have many times boiled honey with onion diced up in it. I would then strain it for a cough syrup- the taste is ok and the kids don't mind if you don't make a face or fuss about it! Lessen her meat intake for a while- it also increases and thickens the mucus production.
As mentioned, you can take her into the bathroom with a steamy shower- when patting her back, cup your hand to make a percussive sound on her back- like a clap. Work your way back and forth across the lower ribcage then up a little and across, back and forth- repeat the pattern back and forth to the upper back, this also is very effective in loosening the mucus from the lungs. You'll get the feel for it, it is firm, but not a slap that hurts. This can be repeated several times a day....and always keep her really well hydrated- that, in addition to the humidity is probably the most effective in getting the mucus mobile!
God Bless,
H. B. MOM (mother of many-9)
Just to add what everyone else has said, a teaspoon of corn syrup not only helps thin the mucous secretions but also soothes the throat.
Best wishes.
Last time I was sick my MIL gave me Brigham drops for a decongestant. It's an herb tincture and it worked great. Maybe you could call your local herb stores. Hmmm.. Don't give her the decongestant. If nothing else, take her in the bathroom, shut the door and turn on the shower on hot to steam up the room. Pat her back gently and let her cough it out. Those coughs are good if they are getting all that out. Grape juice is also good for clearing up mucus, and white grape juice for hydrating. Stay away from milk products, that will just add to the mucus. Good luck!
A recent study showed that dark honey (I'm guessing you can get it at health stores) was more effective for cough in little ones than cough suppresents. You might double check with your doctor if he hasn't already okayed honey for your daughter. It won't help with the congestion, but you've gotten some great advice for that. GL It's hard when a little one is sick.
Definitely try a humidifier while she sleeps. That will help to loosen the mucus so that her coughs are productive. Nice warm baths in a steamy bathroom, lots of fluids, and even propping up her mattress slightly will help too. Good luck!
I bought one of those Vicks warm vapor things, and then was told by doctors that they're really not very good. It made my son's room damp, and that's not good. Get a cool mist one. I was trying to save money because I could only find $40 cool mist, but I looked harder and found one for $20 right there at Wal-Mart.
My sons seem to feel better during and after a hot (well, hot to them) bath. Sometimes they cough more, because they're actually getting the mucus out when it's thinned by the moisture. I haven't tried the Vicks chest rubs much, but the vapors really do clear your nose out so you can breathe.
And only you will know the best way to do this, but try to get her to drink as much as she can. For one of my sons, that would just mean handing him a cup every hour. He'd almost always chug it all in one sitting, just because I offered it. With the other, I have to hand it to him every 10 minutes, when he'll happily take a few more sips. It's the fluids that really help you get it all out!
