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Original poster

Chesty cough in child under 6 years old...what do you do???

19 replies

ceebeegeebies · 02/11/2011 18:01

DS1 has had a chesty cough for a while now - was hoping it would clear up itself but it hasn't. Went to Boots to see if they had any cough medicine and got told there was no medicine for a chesty cough until they are 6 years old Hmm

I don't think it is bad enough to go to the doctors but what else can I do?? It is particularly bad at night so have propped up his pillows, rubbed vapour rub onto his chest.

OP posts:
potbellyqueen · 02/11/2011 18:10

DS (4) has had a chesty cough for a while (maybe 2 weeks? Blush ) I took him to the doc yesterday, even though I hadn't really thought he needed to go, and it turned out he has a chest infection, he's had 24 hours of antibiotics and seems loads better already. In addition to his cough he'd had a high temp and been very tired for a few days. Might be worth a trip to the doctor just in case? DS had just been on calpol before that, it does seem a bit unfair that they can't have cough medicine any more.

BlondeBatgirl · 02/11/2011 18:12

I had the same thing with my ds a few weeks ago. Someone on here told me to try manuka honey, it seemed to help. Get 10+ though!

Original poster
ceebeegeebies · 02/11/2011 18:14

potbelly thanks for that Smile I guess I don't feel that DS1 needs the doctors as he hasn't had a temperature at all and hasn't been particularly tired or apparently ill whilst he has had the cough - apart from the snot and constant coughing, you wouldn't know he was ill!

OP posts:
Original poster
ceebeegeebies · 02/11/2011 18:14

Blonde what do you do with the honey?? Eat it? Drink it?

OP posts:
lostlady · 02/11/2011 18:16

Humidifier from Argos in bedroom worked for us- cold water one, £30 well spentSmile

mousyfledermaus · 02/11/2011 18:19

hot milk with honey helps calm things down a bit.
if it is a chesty cough you want the child to cough.
cough medicine you can buy in the shops is a waste of money, it is basically just sugar syrup which helps relieve the sore throat a bit, but milk&honey will do the same job.

BlondeBatgirl · 02/11/2011 18:19

I just a gave it to ds on a spoon. I told him it was medicine!( he doesnt like honey.) Grin Although I am told it doesnt taste much like honey. I never tried it.
You can get it from health food shops.

Original poster
ceebeegeebies · 02/11/2011 18:48

In the absence of DH tonight meaning I am stuck at home with the DC, I will try the hot milk and honey tonight and try and get some manuka honey tomorrow Smile

Maybe then look at the humidifier - particularly as DS1 does seem to struggle with coughs a lot (they don't normally last as long as this one has though!)

OP posts:
PoptartPoptart · 02/11/2011 20:15

I agree with the honey but would steer clear of milk to be honest as dairy can increase mucus production and make the coughing worse

Original poster
ceebeegeebies · 02/11/2011 20:40

poptart what would you do - just give him a spoonful of normal honey or does it need to be manuka honey?

He wasn't impressed with the milk and honey so didn't drink that much - he would definitely have preferred a spoonful of honey Grin

OP posts:
dikkertjedap · 02/11/2011 21:50

Manuka honey has very strong anti-bacterial properties - you will want a Manuka honey of a reputable brand (Holland & Barrett sells it) and a high factor, e.g. 25.
It really is very special and it is widely used in hospitals all over the world for its anti-bacterial properties, it is even used in special dressings for wounds which don't want to heal.
You give a teaspoon of honey. If you give it for a prolonged period then keep an eye on his teeth. In case of any other posters reading this with younger children, do NOT give honey, ANY HONEY, to a child under one, it is very dangerous and potentially life threatening. If child is older than one it is okay.

BlondeBatgirl · 02/11/2011 22:03

dikkertjedap Do you know how long it keeps for??

dikkertjedap · 02/11/2011 22:08

No, I have no idea TBH, I would think (and hope) quite a while because it is very expensive and you only use a little each time (I only use it for coughs etc not for normal use as it is so expensive).

dikkertjedap · 02/11/2011 22:11

I bought a pot about half a year ago and it says 'best before Dec 2012'.

ScarlettIsWalking · 02/11/2011 22:15

In tje same boat with dd. I have been giving some 5 + manuka to dd for her cough. The guy in holland and barrett said to keep to a lower number for young children. Would this work as effectively?

BlondeBatgirl · 02/11/2011 22:16

I was hoping a while too!
I may have to get mine down from the top of the cupboard and have a look.

dikkertjedap · 02/11/2011 22:24

It is my understanding (will try to find a link) that the absolute minimum rating to be effective is 10, but generally the higher the rating the better. I suppose you could give a smaller dose with a high rating. Do not give to children under one though.

dikkertjedap · 02/11/2011 22:29

This article seems to suggest a minimum factor of 12.

dikkertjedap · 02/11/2011 22:32

More info

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