Persistent dry cough making dd sick - any advice?

[heavenlylily]

Dd is 1 and has had a persistent cough for ages. Checked by GP today, no underlying probs, just have to put up with it. The problem is it has become really dry and has made her sick today. It also kept her awake for ages last night and during day sleeps today. She has been in her cot since 7 and has been coughing about every 5 mins. I know that there is little that can be done but does anyone have any advice on soothing a dry cough? She has had Calpol and Ibuprofen today and we have tried Calpol Night tonight in hope it might suppress the cough but has not helped so far.

Keep the room damp, and raise the head of the cot. Lying flat can aggravate a tickly cough. I know because I get them all the time. Lots of fluid as well to keep throat lubricated.

Isn't honey meant to help as well?

try a homeopath. they will be able to help her help herself iyswim.

Yep my DD has got this too. She gets it very often but a few nights ago was the worst she has ever been and coughed almost constantly all night .

Medised / Calopol night does tend to help if the cough is caused by a cold.

What helps my DD is giving the room a good hoover in the morning (inc mattress etc) then give it a good airing all day. This helps get rid of any dust and increases the humidity of the room. Them, just before bedtime put a thick tea towel or hand towel in some very hot water, wring it out then drape it over the radiator or clothes horse (out of DDs reach) and let the steam evaporate. I also place a glass of water on the radiator with a drop or two of olbas oil in it - again keeping it away from DD. Make sure your heating isn't on too much so the air doesn't dry out.

Honey apparently helps some DCs but doesn't really work for mine. Worth a try if she is old enough for it though.

I also give her an easily digestable meal at bedtime so that if the coughing makes her sick, some of the goodness has had chance to get in her system before it is all brought up.

Good luck, it's really hard to sit and listen to it and feel helpless isn't it

I found out through bitter eperience that honey in a syringe is the ONLY way......

Thanks for your replies, already have cot head tilted and keep giving her water but will give honey a go and humidifying room. Thanks again.

Fizzbuzz - Honey in a syringe? Please explain

My ds1 used to suffer very badly with persistent dry coughs in winter. I recall him being particularly awful the winter he was three.

I'm happy to say he doesn't seem troubled any more (and if he does get a cough now, he's old enough to have Benylin which is a good cough suppressant) but what really did seem to make a differende when he was smaller was Propolis Herbal Elixir which is made by Comvita and contains Manuka Honey. you can get it in health food shops.

Dd will not take medicine in any form. Spits it out straight away unless you hold her mouth shut. A spoon would be impossible, it was thics with the genral stickiness of honey which made me resort to a syringe. It has to be runny honey of course......

Now of course she still won't take any medicine in any form, except honey, which she goes mad for!