Getting at least eight hours of sleep is important for a child who has a cough. Aside from giving your little one the best children’s cough medicine as prescribed, kids need to have a strong immune system to get rid of their cough.
And to have a strong immune system that beats and keeps coughs, flu, and other respiratory diseases at bay, kids need to get plenty of sleep and have a balanced diet.
Unfortunately, a bad case of cough can keep your child awake at night. A hacking cough can prevent your child from getting that much-needed shut-eye or wake him or her up in the middle of the night. Either way, your little one won’t get the rest he or she needs and any temporary relief from his or her annoying cough.
If a bad cough is keeping your child awake, follow the tips below to relieve or prevent his or her nighttime coughing:
1. Let your child gargle with salt water.
Gargling with warm salt water can reduce throat inflammation which often causes coughing fits. You can help reduce your child’s coughing at night by letting him or her gargle with warm salt water three times a day, with the last one before he or she sleeps.
Dissolve some sea salt in a glass of warm water and assist your child as he or she gargles.
If you have turmeric, you can also add this to the solution to boost the antibacterial properties of this homemade mouthwash.
Kids younger than six, though, will have a hard time gargling. For toddlers and preschoolers, consider other options such as letting them drink warm water with lemon and a spoonful of honey.
2. Keep your child’s head elevated at night.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is one of the main causes of nighttime coughing. This happens when acid from the stomach seeps upward into the esophagus while your child is lying down. This acid then irritates the throat and may cause dry cough.
If your child is one year old or older, help him or her avoid GERD and minimize coughing at night by placing a few pillows under his or her back, shoulders, and head. By doing so, your little one will sleep in a slightly upright position, prevent acid from leaking into the esophagus and nighttime coughing. This will help your child breathe easier as well.
3. Create a makeshift sauna.
Steam can help loosen chest and nasal congestion. If your child’s bedroom has a bathroom, run a hot shower or hot water in the bathtub for 15 minutes or until steam flows into the bedroom.
Do the same if the bathroom is outside your young one’s bedroom. However, sit with your child inside the bathroom for 15 minutes so that the steam can work wonders on your little one’s chest and nose.
To help your child get the most health benefits, do this 15 minutes before bedtime and 15 minutes in the morning.
4. Use a cool-mist humidifier.
Running a cool-mist humidifier in your child’s bedroom at night will also help keep his or her airways clear and moist.
However, make sure you are using a clean, sanitized humidifier. If you use a dirty one, you will risk spreading bacteria into the air which will be inhaled by your child.
To be sure you are using a safe humidifier, clean it at least three times a week with diluted vinegar.
Additionally, don’t forget to open the windows and air out the room for a bit in the morning. This will prevent the growth of mold in the bedroom.
5. Massage your child before bedtime.
Massage has been proven effective in stopping cough.
To help your child get the most from this natural remedy, massage his or her throat, chest, and back, with slightly warm mustard oil with crushed garlic. The mustard oil and garlic have antimicrobial properties that can ward off infections.
Make sure you massage your child gently regardless of his or her age.
6. Place a glass of water on your child’s nightstand at bedtime.
Finally, staying hydrated is crucial for helping your child avoid coughing since water loosens mucus. As a result, your child’s body will have an easier time expelling mucus secretions.
Because of this, make sure your little one drinks plenty of water all day. Put a glass of water by your child’s bed which he or she can drink while awake or if he or she feels thirsty anytime at night.
Giving your child his or her medication as prescribed will help him or her conquer this bothersome illness faster. Always be vigilant; know and be on the lookout for the signs of children’s cough that calls for immediate medical attention.