OT: Any suggestions for coughs?

[SalandJeff]

Does anyone have any suggestions for easing a cough? DD is 4. She has a cold right now. Since we can no longer give her cough medicine, she is coughing so much that it is keeping her up. We have the vaporizer going in her room and it has helped a bit. Thought maybe someone would have some home remedies. Thanks.

 

[bear_mom]

I read an article on a study from England where honey was as/more effective as a cough "reliever". We gave dd 1 tsp. of honey the last time she had a cold before she went to bed and she didn't have any trouble with her cough. Worked for us........................

Emily

 

[wrighter]

My DS4 is also battling a cough, and since we leave for WDW in two weeks I am attacking it with fervor! I regretfully don't have any "home remedies," but I can tell you some things that have been helping us:

1.) I give him Airborne every morning. Not sure if it helps or not, but if there is even a small chance that it will cut off even a few days of this cold, I'm willing to try.

2.) Mucinex. This helps us because my DS's cough is a "mucus" kind of cough.

3.) Vicks vapo rub. I slather it on his chest in the morning and at night.

4.) Vapor-Plug-ins. We use the Sudacare brand. It's basically a menthol-type plug in that you use during the night. I have found it to be one of the most helpful items I have found since the "cold medicine recall" came into effect.

I was just at my pediatrician's office this morning, and he actually told me that as a VERY LAST RESORT I could give my DS some cough suppresent (and cough suppresent only, not a cold remedy mix) at the minimal dosage. Obviously this is only the recommendation of one pediatrician, and I know all parents are struggling with the cold medicine recall in their own ways. I just thought you might be interested to know that not all peds think all meds need to be out of limits at all times. (And just for the record, our pediatrician's office is a large practice, with a high percentage of highly respected doctors who were Chief Pediatric Residents.) Regardless, I do not condone or suggest you should follow this advice - just know that it was given.

Good luck - I can totally empathize with you right now. Do try those Vapor plug ins - their wonderful.

 

[ntink]

Although I have not personally tried this, I have read this in many places:

rub vicks generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime and cover with socks.

Check it out at snopes - it is undetermined by many swear by it:
http://www.snopes.com/medical/homecure/vaporub.asp

 

[sahm1000]

DD2 has had the same type of thing. I took her on Friday to the doctor after about 3 weeks of a clear mucus runny nose. It had changed from clear to slightly yellow and she had developed a small "mucusy" cough. Once we got there they said she had a double ear infection (she had never complained about her ears or ran a fever) and since I had let it go on for so long she was going to need two rounds of antibiotics and they also prescribed a decongestant/antihistamine as well as over the counter mucinex in a yellow package. I asked about the prescription decongestant/antihistamine and was told that the controversy is whether they actually provide relief for children under 12. The other problem is that when they were over the counter there were lots of varieties and age groups and people were accidentally overdosing their children by using drugs that do the same thing (like two different medicines that both contain a decongestant). She said that the prescription medicines are safe as long as they are given as directed (pretty much the same as any medicine). I'd call your doctor and see if you can be seen and if they can help with some relief. Good luck!

 

[mom2rose&john]

The vicks on the feet does work. I did this for my own cough that kept me up for hours. Within twenty minutes I wasn't coughing anymore.

Ann Marie

 

[ZeroMyHero]

You could try herbal lemon tea heavily sweetened with honey, or hot water with lots of lemon juice and honey. Lemon and honey are great to soothe a sore throat plus honey has antibiotic properties that could help combat the infection that's making her cough. I also found that a vapor bath meant for infants also works really well on older kids (my DD is almost 4 and I've used it for her every time she's had a cold). The vapor plugs that go in a standard electrical outlet work well too, since most kids with colds cough because their sinuses are draining down the back of their throats. Clear sinuses mean less coughing. Oh, and I second the Airborne suggestion.

If you're worried about OTC meds, talk to a pharmacist you trust. Doctors are knowledgable about drugs, but pharmacists are the real experts. I talked to my pharmacist when my DD's cough got so bad my at-home remedies didn't work anymore. He pointed me to a generic OTC that he assured me was safe as he'd been recommending it for 35 years. I used it only at night so DD could get the rest she needed to combat the infection, and a few days later she was well enough to not need the OTC anymore. Hope this was a help to you.

 

[SalandJeff]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I will give some of these a try.

The vicks on the feet is interesting....not sure how that will go over. I think she might have a meltdown if I try. I might have to try it myself the next time I have a cold before I try it on her.

 

[miskamouskamickey]

I would definitely try the VapoRub remedy. It has worked wonders with my 5 month old DD. I use the Baby VapoRub on her and run the vaporizer at night as well. If you are scared that the Original Vick's Vaporub is going to be too strong of a smell for her, then just try the Baby Vaporub!

 

[Fabinva]

Originally posted by Bear_mom
I read an article on a study from England where honey was as/more effective as a cough "reliever". We gave dd 1 tsp. of honey the last time she had a cold before she went to bed and she didn't have any trouble with her cough. Worked for us........................

I heard same and recently tried it with son and it worked great for us.

 

[agentpleakley]

Try the Vicks Vapo Rub in the yellow jar -- it is especially for coughs. IT DOES WORK. I am using it on both DD(5) and myself (not telling you my age) right now. Slather it on chest and neck at bedtime.

 

[mousebymarriage]

Although I have not personally tried this, I have read this in many places:

rub vicks generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime and cover with socks.

Check it out at snopes - it is undetermined by many swear by it:
http://www.snopes.com/medical/homecure/vaporub.asp

It works, my niece tried it and she couldn't believe that it actually worked!

 

[drumsRdaBEST]

cough

 

[karajeboo]

Delsym is the only thing that has ever worked for DD - doctor told me it would work better than any prescription she could give me and she was right. I recommend it for everyone!

 

[tink's girls]

Does anyone know if a generic will do the same thing, or does it need to be the actual Vicks brand? Thanks!

 

[tink's girls]

anyone?

 

[marcyinPA]

Delsym is the only thing that has ever worked for DD - doctor told me it would work better than any prescription she could give me and she was right. I recommend it for everyone!

Delsym is GREAT stuff. I've noticed that it sometimes takes 2 doses to really see a difference, but once it "kicks in", it really works for a long time!! Love that stuff...worth the price!!

 

[Daisy&Donald]

Delsym is what works for us. I was told by the doctor years ago it is better
than most prescription cough syrups. Its about $10.00 for a small bottle but it is worth it.

 

[_queenie_]

Don't get me wrong, Delsym works well on the right kid, but I believe it gave my DD tachycardia when she was seven.

Just a word of warning.

 

[douglisa]

When my youngest was that age the doc gave him something similar to the grown ups codine cough syrup, which you can only get by prescription. Hope she feels better soon.