What do you do when your kids cough at night?

[PoptartPoptart]

just that really. DS is 11 and has a post viral cough. No temp or asthma, eating fine and happy in himself. It's just this damn cough which wakes him (and me) up. I give him age appropriate medicine, Vicks on feet, humidifier in room, honey and warm drinks, prop the pillows up etc but nothing makes a difference. He's had this before and it took about 3 weeks to finally disappear. My question is, do I just leave him to it and accept there is nothing that can be done or should I be sitting with him or getting him up? If we go downstairs for awhile we just end up watching TV and staying awake and them we're both even more knackered for school/work the next day. Getting up doesn't actually help the coughing btw. But I feel bad just laying there listening to him. What should I do?

Try anti histimine

Smooth the inflammation causing the cough and stops the cycle of coughing / irritation

The cough medicine that I give him contains an antihistamine but doesn't seem to help.

Piriton?
Also covonia do a mentholated cough drink that's suitable from age 5 and it's been helping me. Sounds as if your doing as much as possible. Bloody coughs!

Vapour rub on the feet then put socks back on

Half cut onion by bed at night...honey and lemon with apple cider vinegar...just a wee drop...homeopathy has worked wonders for my dd in the past

Oh and mega dosing vit c...sodium absorbate

The only really effective thing for a dry cough (i.e. a suppressant) is Codeine but I dont think you can get codeine based cough medicines for kids that age.

Stick the TV on for him - distracts from coughing and he might eventually fall asleep. The you can get some sleep.

My daughter has similar. Since beginning of December. Doc says it's post viral but it's really bothering her. Not heard of the Vicks thing but will get some tomorrow.

I always leave the window open a little, even if it is freezing. I remember a traveller woman in the walk in centre telling me that central heating makes it worse when I was in there with my baby. I'm not sure what truth there is in it but I have noticed a stream of fresh air in the room at night makes breathing and coughs easier for everyone at my house.

Piriton syrup, works wonders if it could be an allergy related cough.

And no central heating on.

I tried vicks on her feet last night and it worked! Def a lot less coughing :-)