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Ways to Ease Coughing in a Child

A cough can be painful for the youngster and upsetting for those caring for him. Yet caretakers can take a few steps to ease his pain and help stop the coughing. Providing the youngster with liquids, humidity and honey are a few ways to curb the symptoms. However, if your child's cough doesn't improve or worsens after three days, take him to a doctor.

  1. Humidity

    • Creating moisture in the air your child breathes can reduce respiratory swelling and help ease her coughing. There are several ways to create water vapors in the air, including using a cool-air humidifier machine. You can also run a shower with warm water, keeping the door shut. After the room fills with steam, sit with your child for about 10 minutes. You can also try hanging a damp towel in the sick child's bedroom to create moisture in the air.

    Honey

    • A Pennsylvania State University study suggests a spoonful of honey before bed can ease a child's cough, reports WebMD. The study found that children who received honey to ease a cough had fewer symptoms the next day than other youngsters who were given a cough-suppressant or placebo. Researchers believe honey is beneficial because of its antioxidant and microbe-fighting effects. The dosage recommendations are a half-teaspoon of honey before bed for children 2 to 5 years old; 1 teaspoon for children 6 to 11 years old; and 2 tablespoons for those 12 years and older. Do not give honey to babies less than 1 year old.

    Liquids

    • Keep your child hydrated by giving him plenty of liquids. Water will not only help your child's body better fight the cold, but it will also aid in preventing the mucus from thickening. Additionally, hot liquids like tea or soup will sooth chest soreness and irritation, and can also help in loosening the mucus. Chicken soup might also help ease his cough. Kids Health notes that the soup has been a favorite remedy for colds for about 800 years. While there isn't any solid proof that it will ease a cough, chicken soup does contain mucus-thinning amino acids that can help control congestion-causing white cells.

    Avoid Smoke

    • Secondhand smoke is harmful, especially to a sick child. Smoke from cigarettes and cigars will irritate airways that are already inflamed. If your child is sick, don't smoke in the house or near him. Keep the child away from other sources of smoke too, including barbecue grills and wood-burning fires.

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