Coughs -when would you go to the Dr?

[HairyMaclary]

My 2.5 year old DS2 has a horrible barking cough, it sounds like seal. I'm not used to coughs, DS1 never gets them and DS2 has only had a mild one when he has been ill in other ways. At the moment he seems fine but the cough is bothering him, it woke him a lot last night and he often gets to the point of retching.

My question is whether it is worth going to the Dr with just a cough, even if it is a bad one, and if not what can I give him to soothe it? I know most over the counter medicines are not much good so any suggestions?

Thanks!

My dd has a cough, worse at night and I've been giving buttercup or linctus or even butter with sugar (last one was my mums idea) the butter and sugar is her favourite and it actually does work quite well, she still coughs but nowhere near as much.

Thanks I may have to get some buttercup stuff, DS2 is lactose intolerant, temporarily I hope, but it does mean no butter.

I did wonder about croup but thought he would have been iller with that. I may wait until tomorrow for the dr and see how he is then, although as the afternoon progresses he is getting grumpier and I think iller, Oh joy!

Thanks Pixie, he's perked up a bit after some food so I will leave it till tomorrow and hope tonight is peaceful!