Help me help my toddler

[OMGithurts]

DS is 1.11. He has this awful cough that's going round. He went to bed ok but woke himself coughing at 9pm and has been coughing more less solidly since then. He is exhausted but he can't sleep. I have

• given him his reliever inhaler
• used the saline nasal spray
• coated him liberally in vaporub
• given him plenty of fluids
• given him some calpol at bedtime
• kept the room temperature mild and steady
• kept him propped up almost up right on me

But the poor bugger can't get to sleep or get a break from the coughing :( If any clever people have any ideas how to help him I would be very grateful.

Vicks on his feet with socks over the top?

Last time my girl was like this I sat up all night cuddling her.

Poor boy hope it settles and you both get some sleep!

Yup got Vicks (well generic own brand vaporub) all over his feet chest and back. He seemed to enjoy the massage at least.

Lying down makes you cough more, so is it possible to elevate his head? Difficult, I know. (Everyone I know seems to have this cough atm.)

I haven't put him down in over an hour and a half, I've just been holding him almost up right. A sort of reclined sitting position.

When my dd was like this she ended up falling asleep lying on her tummy on top of me propped up on pillows.

Have they ruled out' happy wheeze'

Sorry I meant childhood asthma

My youngest had this and turned out to be asthma at age of 6

They won't say he's asthmatic but he has got an inhaler because of repeated episodes of bronchiolitis. It helped a bit but not a lot. I haven't seen anyone about this bout of illness, he didn't seem too bad until now.

A spoonful of Vicks in some hot water under our kids bed always seemed to help our two when struggling with the cold. Hope he feels better soon xx

Vaporub makes my asthmatic sons cough worse, it makes it much drier

Poor little one. I hope it passes soon. I have found that there is no good evidence that anything works to relieve a tickly type cough apart from possibly honey! I always try a teaspoon full of honey in half a cup of warm milk to drink.

My job is in this field but I'm an academic not a doctor.

Can you take him into a very steamy bathroom and sit in there with him for a good 10 minutes two or three times per day?

I'd try steam too.

Or take him outside for a bit for some fresh air.