Home Remedies for Chest Congestion in Kids

Your child may have gotten over his cold, but his heavy breathing or labored coughing shows that he still has chest congestion. After calling a doctor, you're assured that the mucus in his chest will go away on its own--eventually. In the meantime, you can help it along using several easy home remedies.

Steam Treatment

• Try putting a humidifier in your child's room to steam it up. (Read the safety precautions on your humidifier before using it.) Alternatively, bring your child into the bathroom and turn on the hot water in the tub. Allow the room to steam while entertaining him. When your child breathes in the steam from either the humidifier or the bathtub, it will cause the mucus in his chest to move more easily, which will reduce the congestion.

Hot Liquids

• Hot liquids taken orally also relieve congestion by making the mucus move more easily. Hot teas--or just warm water with some honey and sugar--are ideal. Hot chocolate or other thicker drinks may not work as well, but they're worth trying if your child won't drink any other hot drinks. Studies have shown that chicken soup can help to heal a cold as well, so consider offering your child some nutritious broth.

Sleeping Position

• Prop pillows under your child's head before she goes to sleep. Alternatively, suggest that your child try sleeping on an easy chair. If your child still sleeps in a crib, put some pillows under the mattress to raise her head--but not between the mattress and the sheet.

For Infants and Toddlers

• Older children will know to clear their nasal passages by blowing their noses. For infants and toddlers, you'll have to clear those passages for them. Use saline to loosen the mucus and an aspirator to suck it out.

Other Remedies

• Eating spicy foods can help some people with chest congestion, so try spicing your child's food if he'll tolerate it. Make sure that your child is taking in enough fluids, which will keep the mucus in his chest moving as much as possible.