How to Treat Children's Cough

Coughing isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can often help us clear out our lungs and fight off infection. Knowing what types of coughs there are, when they're serious and what to avoid when treating your child can be extremely helpful--and maybe even save you a doctor's visit.

Things You'll Need

• honey
• chicken soup
• doctor
• computer
• Internet connection

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Instructions

• 1

  Stay away from over-the-counter medications. Most companies have warned that children under 6 can suffer adverse reactions from OTC cough medications, and they should even be used with caution for children up to 12 years old.

• 2

  Listen to the cough to determine what type it is. Find a list of different children's coughs and what they mean at kidshealth.org. Log on and type "Your Child's Cough" in the search bar.

• 3

  Keep track of how long your child has been coughing. If it's only been a few days, there should be nothing to worry about. Contact your doctor if the cough persists for more than a week, if the cough is causing your child to lose sleep or if it's preventing him from getting the proper amount of daily fluids.

• 4

  Administer time-tested home remedies such as chicken soup, honey (half a teaspoon for children ages 2 to 5, a whole teaspoon for children ages 6 to 11, and two teaspoons for children 12 and older) or sugar-free hard candy, or teach them how to gargle with salt water.

• 5

  Make sure their hands are washed often, and keep them from being out in cold weather too long or too frequently.