Hacking Cough

Have you tried at a minimum using a squeeze bulb to remove excess mucus from the nose.
If they can gargle with slightly salty water this can shrink any swelling. I think it worthwhile taking the kids to your Pediatrician or at least a Minute Clinic. Illness is more pronounced and harming to a very young child than say a 6 year old child.
And there are more drug resistant germs now that need stronger antibiotics much more common now.
The idea of a steam to breath is also a good idea and might help.

If the young child was 2 and over the Kids Liquid Mucinex (with out the cough suppressant) which could cause over-drownsiness which the main ingredient guaifenesin is considered a well accepted medicine to thin the mucus to help one get it out of the body better.

http://www.mucinex.com/images/drugfacts/liquidgrape.pdf

Mucinex also comes in liquid form. The grape-flavored Mucinex breaks up the mucus that causes chest congestion and it's:

Alcohol-free
Non-drowsy formula
Recommended dosage for Mucinex Liquid (100 mg guaifenesin)
Children 6 years to under 12 years
1 to 2 teaspoons every 4 hours

Children 2 years to under 6 years
1/2 to 1 teaspoons every 4 hours

Children under 2 years
Do not use (ask a Doctor first)

Ask your doctor!

Sincerely,
Steven

Put a humidifier in her room, or take her outside in the cool air. Also prop her up in bed or let her sleep in a recliner chair.

I had the same problem back a month or two and NOTHING worked I thought I was gonna pull my hair out because I couldn't sleep either.

With both girls being so young I'd definately take them in. I work in a Montessori school with preschoolers and there are several kids missing each day. Most of them are out with pneumonia, croup, and strep. A few of the younger kids as we also have babies and toddlers have RSV which a couple were hospitalized for this. I took my 4 year old in a week and half ago becuase she had a terrible cough and couldn't catch her breath. She ended up needed antibotics for a sinus infection and the doctor also put her on a nebulizer treatment which has helped a great deal.

If the cough sounds more like a barking cough it definately could be croup. Good luck with what you decide.

My daughter, who is 10, still will throw up from coughing on rare occasions. It is related to that gaggy feeling from the mucous in her throat. You could try mullein tea for them. You will have to give it to them four times a day (herbal remedies don't work with just a cup here and a cup there). It is very mild tasting and you could put a spoonful of honey in with it. This herb is a great pectoral and is anti-infection as well. You can use the loose herb (flowers and leaves) or get a decoction, but the alcohol taste from the decoction would probably be a turn-off. Serve as warm as they'll drink it and get at least 3-4 oz in each time if you can. BTW - Honey is a very powerful cough suppressant. I have cured myself of bronchitis with mullein. At night you could throw some chamomile or peppermint in as well to make them sleepy.

If the cough gets croupy, this time of year it works great to take the girl outside. The shock of cold air "resets" the cough reflex. Steamy bathrooms are a good second choice. Good luck.

you should now because it will go into her ears and into her lungs.

Try elevating her head a little when she sleeps... The drainage is making her cough. Also, maybe a humidifier in her room? These things have worked for my boys. Good luck!

I'd take them in, just to rule out any problems (mine had a cough in December and then ended up with a double ear infection and pneumonia from all the drainage).

Here's a trick that ALWAYS works for us. Before bed, put Vicks vapo-rub on the soles of their feet and put socks or footie pj's on. For both my boys, the coughing subsides in about an hour. Don't know why this works, but it does. My pediatrician has confirmed it's safe to do, even for my 9 month-old.

We also use a warm vaporizer, which helps minimize the dryness that can make that little tickle worse. Good luck...lots of nasty stuff going around out there right now.

get some baby vicks and rub it on her chest...it will break up everything in there pretty good...that way she won't gag...poor baby

I have read that the feet, is just an old wives tale and really doesn't do anything, check that part out on snopes.com, usually only natural essential oils work on the feet...

I would put it on her back around her lungs and her chest around her lungs as well.

I would suggest taking them into the doctor. They might need some nebulizer treatments to open up airways and improve breathing. In the meantime, you might try the following remedy. One of my daycare families did try it with their 2 yr. old and it worked great for him:

To stop night time coughing in a child, put Vicks Vaporub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime, then cover with socks.

Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. "

Hi! We just experienced this with my son, age 10. We used several homeopathic remedies, including a homeopathic cough syrup. Then we started an herbal conconction that our local herbal store made up for us. I also used honey and fresh lemon. And we gave him probiotics. And switched between hot and cold packs on his chest/back/throat! After 5 days with little improvemnt, I took him in to the Medical Center to just see what I was dealing with. He had pneumonia. So we did the amoxicillan route in addition to the herbs, homeo cough syrup, and probiotics. Usually, we are very successful with homeopathic and herbals. ((My son hasn't had any antibiotics for over 7 years!)

I think just checking with your doctor is a great idea. We seldom get the precriptions, but are in favor of the tests they can do to isolate the issue.

I trust you know in your heart just what you need to do!
C.

Seeing as they are young, 2.5yrs and 1yr I would consult your Pediatrician, at least call and talk to the nurse. You could try many OTC drugs and not get anywhere..we have Dr's for a reason...Good luck

I would take the kids into your pediatrician. My daughter started out with a cold and it slowly progressed into a hacking cough. I set up an appt for her, but by that time it was too late. She ended up spiking an 104.2 fever and she had pneumonia. I wish I had brought her in immediately. Better safe than sorry!

my 3 yr old has quite a cough right now as well. the other night my husband gave him a dose of Delsym when his choughing got bad but later in the night he woke up coughing harder and crying so we turned the shower on all the way hot and let it steam up the bathroom then sat in the steamy air for about 10 minutes or so.
I think my son has croup. Home treatments have worked the best for my kids when they get it.
I really need to get my humidifier going again.

I have also sat in a recliner chair all night and held my sleeping sick children with a blanket over the both of us. it wasn't the most comfortable night, but it has helped in most cases for my child. they have gotten more rest than they would have if they were lying flat and having mucus pool up in their throat.

I hope you can find something that works for them and your kids get better quickly.

A., we have this going on in our house too :) We're doing what everyone else has already said here: nice, warm baths and then I let the sink water run hot while he's in the tub for extra steam; cool mist humidifier in his room and tylenol when he needs it. Getting outside for a few minutes seems to help too. His doc said to just watch the cough and fever and if it gets worse come in right away to rule out RSV. Good luck!!!!

It depends on how long the cough has lasted. Definately an evaluation by a pediatrician would be the best. They can diagnose and treat different infections (ie strep, croup, or brinchitis). If the cough continues and there are no signs of any other illness, it might be worth seeing an allergist. My daughter had a continual cough for 2 years where the pediatricians and urgent cares told me it was asthma. I finally took her to an allergist and she had an extremely bad sinus infection. 6 weeks of antiboitics and she is a totally different child. No cough or anything. It was truly amazing.