We all love peace and quiet, but a baby with a cough can quickly turn the sound of sweet silence into the screech of inconsolability. Before you start tearing out tufts of hair in despair (don't worry, they'll grow back), know that there are things you can do to help your little bundle feel better.
Understanding Coughs
Cough 101: A cough is an important reflex action as it helps clear mucus, phlegm or anything irritating the airways from our lungs. It’s also incredibly annoying when it's coming from a tiny human.
The types
There are two major categories for babies' coughs - dry and wet ones. Dry coughs produce no mucus while wet ones will make lotsa nasty sputum-er-phlegmy stuff.
Causes
The three most common causes of persistent baby cough include:
1) Infections such as bronchiolitis (RSV), pneumonia or cold virus 2) Allergic reactions like asthma or hay fever; even inhaling cigarette smoke or dust particles could cause baby discomfort. 3) Acid reflux disease aka GERD which occurs when stomach acid flows up towards voice box causing irritation leading to intense chronic whooping sounds.
Sound Sleep Tips
One tried and tested way to help your youngling sleep easier during sickness is elevating mattress at head end thus creating comfort zone keeping away sugary throat symptoms leading to lessened nasal congestion etc.
And does this change mean goodbye coffee runs? Because let's face it, without caffeine, parenting would be totally unbearable! Not exactly! What about bedtime cappuccinos?
Instead of caffeinated popbinswhy not try infusions? Wind down tea for closing off those overworked senses after playing nursemaid all night(hello chamomile).
Home Coping Mechanisms
- Let them stay hydrated: It goes without saying that fluids are a vital part of your little one's recovery journey.
- Running humidifiers helps moisten the air inside reducing congestion indirectly easing cough symptoms(pro tip adding natural peppermint oil in steaming hot water gives good results).
- Spicey food alert!: Be aware, some spices like chili or pepper trigger coughs so manage what you feed!
- Keep postnasal drip at bay: The liquid accumulation caused after mucus trickles down throat over-nurturing throat muscles leading to an intensely active baby
- Show Aggressive Tissue Love: Always keep tissues accessible and handy as well cover sneezes with hands instead of spreading germs. 6.Cuddle Therapy : We know it's not medicine per se but holding baby will help soothe their irritable self.
Drugstore Solutions
Hold up! Put that drug back where you found it! While over-the-counter medications for a baby under 18 months sounds promising, we warn against using these!
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes cough syrups haven't been proven to work for kids younger than 18 years old.Products containing honey or menthol also hold potential risks(like botulism spores present could lead to infant death), despite being known home remedies for adults.
Medical Help
If extreme wheezing, fever or loss of appetite accompany their incessant hacking then make sure paediatrician visits are sought out immediately.
Adapt an observing approach however before booking emergency room visit.: ask yourself is your child is generally speaking happy lively same playful self just with tiny tinge packaging on top? If yes then no need panic yet!
Parting Thoughts
Caring for sick babies can be emotionally taxing especially whenever they feel pain- this makes us want to HUG them even harder.
We hope this guide has given you a sense of relief and met ingobjectives of achieving the goal to help sweet baby coughs be eradicated to NULL.Status quo is for babies to be healthy, happy& play with glee!