My 4 month old has a cough. What can I do for him?

[pelafina]

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My GP's advice for babies was to raise their mattress a little by putting a blanket or towel underneath one end of the mattress, this helps to raise the head and reduces the irritation of mucus on the back of their throat, also helps them to cough more productively at night. And a steamy room - obviously a steam inhalation not safe for a little one as too hot, but maybe the bathroom after you have had a hot shower? Not much else I'm afraid. Take him to the GP if he is coughing up horrible phlegm or has a persistent temperature with it.

I'm not being rude but are you sure he has a cough and isn't just copying you and your DP? DD started coughing as conversation at this age, because her daddy had a cough.

You can get sugar syrup to ease a tickly cough which is OK from 3 months, I think (Calpol do one, as do Boots) and Medised (paracetamol & decongestant) will dry up phlegm and help with discomfort. I only use it at night tho as it can make the baby sleepy.

I also put a kettle in the room, once baby is safe in the cot, and let it boil with the lid off a couple of times during the evening. That makes the room really humid. A bowl of hot water and Karvol on the radiator will keep the air moist too. Obv you have to be v careful if you've other children that could wander in to the room.

I've also tried snuffle babe on the soles of their feet for a tickly cough, and bizarrely it works!

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My dd is the same...cough cough cough!

Like the previous poster I put vicks on the soles of my dd's feet, then put her in a babygro and it really does work!

After having bronchiolitis I bought a humidifier from Argos, it only cost about £20 or so, but it really helped.

I find that brufen is great too

at the end of the day...coughing is a normal process and is vital to clear the airways so just grin and bear it! (I know you probably didn't want to hear that!)

Never heard of vicks on feet - will try it on DS tonight who's had a cough for months

My dd2 had bronchiolitis at a month old, and has turned me into a cough expert

HEad of cot raised by a few books, not too high or they roll; Medised if snotty cough; humidifier, on fairly high; sips of water after a bottle, if you're using one, as milk clogs up their throats. Think BM probably ok on that score (only given water since stopping BFing).

Wishing your LO better and you a good night's sleep...

OOoooo, and never heard of Vicks on feet either - am going to try it (with Snufflebabe stuff, haven't got any Vicks). dd also had a cough for weeks, am beginning to wonder about asthma but hoping not

DS is snufflebabed up on his feet tonight, no coughing yet... it usually starts about now...

have bumped the coughers/wheezers thread for you - in active convs or health...

lots of advice on there. If you can't find it let me know and will link...

Blimey it really does work, no major coughing sessions at all last night

Bizarre