Cough Drops

Updated on November 06, 2011
M.K. asks from Wheaton, IL
23 answers

Does anyone have any medical information about the use of cough drops? Has anyone's Pediatrician told them about any particular dangers of using for toddlers (other than choking).

My son is 2 1/2 yrs old and has a very red, sore throat. (He's been tested for flu and strep throat and both are negative...the Pediatrician says he has a virus that needs to run its course.) Yesterday, my hubby gave him a cough drop -- he sucked on it for about 2 minutes and spit it out. Today, my son is asking for another cough drop. The cough drop package says to contact a Pediatrician regarding use for children under 5. I just don't know if I should give him one or not.

Our Pediatrician told us to continue giving him Tylenol since he is in pain, even though he does not have a fever. I can tell he is still in some level of pain, but not as bad as days ago. But now my son has started refusing Tylenol, and I do not want to force medication on him (since it's not prescription/mandatory). I don't want to bother calling the Pediatrician about cough drops and thought maybe some of you Moms might have some information. I know the cough drop must have some sort of numbing property...is this dangerous for a toddler? Thanks for your thoughts.

2 moms found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks everyone! I've been letting him suck on candy canes instead. This has also helped his mood, since he almost never gets to eat candy! :) The next time I'm out, I will look for those lollipops with vitamin C. We are relieved that he was able to eat/swallow breakfast today without problem, so his pain must be subsiding and he's on the mend. Great advice Mamas...thanks again!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Chicago on

They have sore throat lollipops at CVS and it's the CVS brand there about $5, Hope he feels better soon.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.T.

answers from Chicago on

there is great stuff called Herbal Throat Coat sold at whole foods that has worked wonders for my sore throat, 1,000 times more effective than a cough drop

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Chicago on

Try freeze pops. They help numb the throat. You can get the pedilyte ones or just regular. Check with the nurse you can also try the throat spray. Something I just thought of, maybe you can find a cough drop/sore throat drop that is a sucker that way he can not choke, but do keep him sitting with it. If they don't make them maybe they should? Good luck

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Chicago on

I don't know about cough drops, but we use tea. Traditional Medicinals makes a Throat Coat tea that's very good. We also use regular chamomile tea with honey. Chamomile is safe even for infants. None of that will help though if your son won't drink it, lol. You can also just give him a spoonful of honey, it will coat his throat and also has great anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Maybe try a lemon wedge if you think he will take it, my daughter does!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.L.

answers from Chicago on

There are suckers out there to help little ones with colds. They have some Vitimin C in there and other things to help soothe. It seems to help my daughter. If nothing else, it coats their throat and calms the cough for a little while. I found my current pack at Walmart. My daughter's older, but I've given her the Luden's throat drops, and they seem to help her. She won't do any of the mentholated drops, but the Ludens are soothing. Spoonfuls of honey are nice, too!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.C.

answers from Chicago on

I give my 3 1/2 year old cough drops. I started allowing them after 3 years of age. 2 1/2 is much younger. I think you need to use your gut & decide if you think he is mature enough to understand not to swallow it, & if you think he has control enough over his mouth/sucking to not accidentally swallow it. If you're unsure, I would not give it to him. I also hear a little spoonful of honey will work.

T.
www.mydiaperbabycakes.com

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Cleveland on

My son has asthma and when he gets sick his coughing is awful. He'll cough so hard he vomits. One of the times he was having a flare up I was told to give him a spoonful of honey for his throat. I'm not sure why but it does soothe the throat and calm the coughing. Just an idea. I hope your son is feeling better soon.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.B.

answers from Chicago on

A spoonful of buckwheat honey works wonders too.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.C.

answers from Chicago on

Hi Mom LK
I would still call your Pediatrician, he/she will know best. My Daughter(5 years) had recurring sore throat, cough and fever for 12 days on and off. She was tsted 4 times in the 12days for flu and strep all negative. Finally the 5th visit she was positive not only for strep but also flu and ear infections both ears. apparently her poor little body was trying to fight all of this off for 2 weeks or she picked something up going to the Dr. so much.

Good Luck

V.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.W.

answers from Bloomington on

My seven year old son just had similar symptoms as your child and my pediatrician suggested he eat popcicles, lollipops, candy canes; anything to keep the throat lubricated. The popcicles help numb the pain a little. My son loved to suck on those lollipops called Little Colds Non-Medicated Saf-T-Pops, with vitamin C and zinc. I could only find them at Walgreens. He loved them! They worked great too! It says they are for adults and children over 2. I highly recommend them.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.C.

answers from Decatur on

I don't have medical advice, rather my own mothers advice. She said to use regular popsicles and hard candy, as kids are going to prefer the sweet taste rather than medicinal taste. She said it is to encourage their own saliva to help as that also promotes their own immune system. I had not yet allowed the hard candy at that stage so just used the popsicles. When I did talk to the Pediatrician she said similarly that the Pedialyte does taste like "dirty socks" and the point is to keep hydrated, so whatever you can keep in the kiddo! So I guess be careful read the label of the medicine so you are not doubling the cough medicine?

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.K.

answers from Chicago on

How about a candy cane instead.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Chicago on

Hi there, I hope your son is feeling better, but just in case, I have a few suggestions. I probably wouldn't give a cough drop, but one mom mentioned cough lolipops. i like that idea. Ibuprofen or Tylenol might help. Also, try chamomile tea with honey (make sure it cools down). B & T makes a homeopathic cough syrup for kids. It's homeopathic and doesn't contain any "medicine" so it's ok for the little ones. You can get it Merz Apothecary or www.smallflower.com. My 2 year old was sick this past week and it really helped. Hope he feels better soon!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Chicago on

I don't have medical advice, but I have given my 3 year old tiny pieces of riccola (so all natural no numbing) cough drop. Will your son drink chamomile tea with honey and lemon?

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.H.

answers from Chicago on

how about low calorie popsicle -natural fruit frozen popsicle

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.H.

answers from Chicago on

Hi, I would not use cough drops on a 2 year old - I have a 5 and 2 year old and I would not give them to either of them, but I am more inclined to go the more "natural" route. Two things that soothe a sore throat are hot/warm water with tablespoon of honey and/or fresh lemon. It works for me and my kids. The other thing that helps recover from a sore throat is elderberry syrup - and they also have throat lozenges that dissolve in the mouth (buy at Whole Foods or health food store or online). Also, motrin will work better than Tylenol b/c it is anti-inflammatory and certainly if your son is in pain I would not hesitate giving him some of that along with these natural remedies. Also consider what other foods/drinks you are giving him - try to stick to warm things like soup and stay away from really cold things like ice cream (they taste good short term but make the problem worse in the long term). Finally, a steam shower will help open those passage ways and reduce inflammation. I hope this helps - it's so tough when they are not feeling well. Good luck and happy holidays.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.H.

answers from Chicago on

The makers of Little Noses have child safety suckers that are *cough drops* for kids. CVS carries them. I would not give a cough drop or any type of hard candy to a toddler for fear they may choke.

We also get a homeopathic cough syrup called Chestal (the brand is Boiron) at the health food store. It is honey-based and soothes their throat. A chewable vitamin C tablet can also have a similar effect.

I hope your son gets to feeling better soon.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Chicago on

not sure about cough drops, but you can try something called throat soothers (freezer pops) - CVS sells them. My kids love them.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from Chicago on

If his throat hurts, you can mix one part Maalox to one part Benadryl and give it to him. It numbs the throat, is safe for toddlers, and won't negatively interact with ibuprofen. I usually do 1/2 tsp. of Benadryl with 1/2 tsp. Maalox. That's about a half dose of Benadryl for a 26 pound child.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.G.

answers from Chicago on

I would definetly not give your son a cough drop just for the reason of chocking. They sell an over the counter spray that numbs the throat that will give him some releif. You can also give him chamomile tea with a little kayo syrup for taste. That will also help the throat. I had to give that to my daughter when she was a baby to help with gas.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.O.

answers from Chicago on

I would worry about the choking hazard. You are also giving him the message that it is okay to put small things in his mouth. There are sprays that offer a numbing effect. Check at pharmacy...I think one is chloraseptic (sp??). However, I have raised my kids and grandson and follow what I learned years ago....yogurt. There is natural bacteria in it that fights the virus and it is soothing to the throat. If you really feel he needs the medication, put liquid tylenol in a spoonful of yogurt or pudding.
As an add on, I saw someone recommended honey. I had to take my 19 year old to ER for allergic reaction to honey, started going into shock. ER told me they have several incidents of this recently so be careful.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.D.

answers from Chicago on

Hi M. K Knowing that your son could choke on cough drops should be all the information you need not to give them to him. what those the label on the cough drops say about what age they can be giving? To be on the safe side call his pediatrican and see what he/she says. It better to be safe and than sorry.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.N.

answers from Madison on

I was actually wondering the same thing, my daughter just came down with a cold and has been coughing bad at night. I was looking into some of the "green" cough drops since I know she's not old enough for the regular meds. She doesn't like the taste of some of the regular ones. Have you tried a warm mist humidifier? Those help too

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches