Manufacturers label child cough and cold products as unsuitable for children under age 4.
Safe Infant Cough Medicine and Treatment
The following are nonmedicationtreatments that can ease an infant’s cough.
Fluid choices depend on their age and breastfeeding status.
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They include:
Your healthcare provider may suggest thinning the formula with Pedialyte if it worsens the babys cough.
Try avoiding cow’s milk in older children while they have a cough because it can increase congestion.
Bottle-Feeding Safety Precautions
Always hold babies slightly upright, at an angle, when bottle-feeding.
Do not prop their bottle unless they can independently remove it from their mouth.
It helps reduce fever and discomfort.
For infants less than 12 weeks old, consult a healthcare provider.
The provider will want to determine the underlying cause of a fever before recommending acetaminophen.
A lingering cough (lasting more than a few days) can indicate an underlying condition requiring medical treatment.
The following signs and symptoms require immediate medical attention.
In addition, if you feel your child should see a healthcare provider,follow your instincts.
Some medications may be safe for younger children under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Summary
Cough medicines are not safe for infants.
Healthcare providers recommend using nonmedication interventions such as drinking fluids, suction, saline drops, and humidifiers.
A cold is the most common reason for an infant’s cough.
Other underlying causes include allergies, asthma, RSV, the flu, croup, pertussis, and COVID-19.
Most coughs are minor and resolve within a couple of days.
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