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Cough with phlegm in infants is a fairly common condition, which in the long run can affect the child's respiratory system. The treatment of cough with phlegm for infants needs to be strictly followed the instructions of the doctor, avoiding the abuse of drugs leaving serious consequences.
1. Use cough medicine for children when coughing sputum
The cure for a productive cough in babies depends on both the sound of the cough and the age of the child. In particular, if your baby is within a month of age, using cough suppressants for coughs is not an option, as most labels state that these products should not be given to infants.
If your child is under two years old, never give your child cough and cold products with decongestants and antihistamines without first consulting a doctor. However, in the treatment of cough with phlegm for children, there is also some debate as to whether cold medicine is effective in treating cough. A review of studies concluded that there is no conclusive evidence for the effectiveness of common cough suppressants in acute cough. In addition, cough syrup is known as a combination medicine because it can treat more than one symptom. This means that cough medicines are also more likely to cause side effects and come with the risk of overdose when given to young children.
So, one of the ways to cure cough with phlegm for children is to use cough medicine. Cough medicine can help children cough but parents should not give them to children under four years old, because the medicine can be harmful to the child. Instead, the treatment of cough with phlegm in infants should be prioritized without the use of drugs.
2. Natural remedies for cough with phlegm for children, without drugs
In addition to how to cure cough with phlegm in babies with medicine, there are a number of options for natural cough remedies that can be done at home without drugs, parents can refer to:
2.1 . Humidifiers Humidifiers help loosen mucus, which can relieve coughs and congestion in young children by adding water vapor into the air for a child before breathing in.
Cool air humidifiers are recommended for children for safety reasons and are considered as effective as warm air humidifiers. Run the humidifier during the day when the child is awake and in the room where they are sleeping at night.
If a humidifier is not available, parents can let the child sit in the bathroom while rinsing with a hot shower, which can help reduce airway obstruction for the child, thin the phlegm, and make it easier for the child to breathe.
2.2.Honey Parents can give children one year old and older a homemade cough suppressant by using honey dissolved in warm water with lemon.
Honey can fight infections due to its natural property of blocking bacteria. In addition, this is also an effective way to help soothe a sore throat. However, avoid giving honey to children under one year of age because of the potential risk of poisoning.
2.3.Replenish water Keeping a child's body hydrated is important when a child has a cough with phlegm. Fluids keep the airways moist and help the body fight disease, and it also helps thin phlegm.
Therefore, parents need to ensure regular supply of water, breast milk or formula when their baby is unwell and has a cough with phlegm. However, parents should also not give infants water before six months, because it can lead to hyponatremia.
2.4.Dry the nose with salt water One way to treat cough with phlegm for babies is to drop physiological saline for children to help clear the nose, dilute phlegm down the throat, easy to cause cough. These drops are beneficial when your child has a cold, as they help soften the mucus and make it easier to get it out.
Drops with physiological saline are considered safe and can be used with a nasal aspirator or an infant tissue. To instill physiological saline, tilt the child's head back, then squeeze the drops into each nostril. Repeat as needed to help relieve congestion and relieve coughing, especially before bedtime.
2.5. Elevating the head Elevating an infant's head while sleeping can be effective in preventing postnasal drip, helping to stimulate coughing up phlegm. Compared to lying flat, mucus is more likely to accumulate in the back of the throat, leading to more coughing in order to expel it.
Even so, parents should note that pillows are not recommended for babies and toddlers. Therefore, mothers should also avoid using too high a pillow for children under one year old, because it is easy to damage the child's spine. Instead, parents can put a suitable inclined plane for the baby, which not only helps to reduce cough and phlegm, but also helps to limit vomiting in babies after feeding.
3. When does a child with a cough need to see a doctor?
Usually, your baby's cold and cough symptoms will go away after a few days, especially when applying the above method of treating cough with phlegm for babies. However, if your child's symptoms get worse, you should consult a doctor, especially for babies under 6 months.
Accordingly, a child with a cough with sputum will need to be examined if:
Has a cough that lasts more than 10 days. Fever above 38.5°C for more than three days. Purulent discharge from the nose and ears. Lethargy Fast breathing, tired breathing Wheezing Quit feeding Constantly crying There are signs of respiratory failure such as purple mucous membranes At this time, the doctor will find the cause of the child's cough and sputum and give appropriate treatment. Because your child's cough symptoms don't improve or get worse, there could be another medical problem. The pediatrician will assess the child's breathing and may order a chest X-ray to determine the cause.
Some children may experience chronic phlegm, which is caused by allergies or asthma. If your doctor suspects an allergy, an allergist will help you determine the exact cause and provide preventive treatment for your child.
In summary, cough is one of the very common conditions in young children. Children's coughs are often long-lasting, but if symptoms are improved with home remedies for a productive cough in babies, chances are good that they will soon be cured. Accordingly, parents should not arbitrarily use over-the-counter drugs for their children without consulting a doctor. In addition, if symptoms do not improve or begin to get worse, notify your pediatrician so that your child can be examined and treated appropriately.
Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for examination, treatment and prevention of diseases, including Pediatrics. When performing the examination process at Vinmec, customers will be welcomed and used modern facilities and machinery along with perfect medical services under the guidance and advice of the doctors. Good doctors, well-trained both at home and abroad. Therefore, when a child shows signs of cough and phlegm that do not improve and other abnormalities appear, parents can take the child to Vinmec for examination and treatment.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
References: verywellfamily.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, .medicalnewstoday.com, healthychildren.org
