baby with a chesty cough

[bandbsmum]

My 7 month old dd has a terrible chesty cough. Does anyone know of anything I can give her as all cough medicines seem to be for 12 months on? Gave her some paracetamol and rubbed Vicks on her chest last night, not sure it helped much though!

Bandbsmum - There isn't anything you can give them until 12mths. And from what I've been told by my GP the childrens cough medicines aren't really that useful anyway.
You're doing the right thing though.... calpol and vicks. Try Olbas Oil for kids too, I find that really good at night to help them sleep.

Thanks QueenFlounce - I thought that was the case. She's not unhappy with thankfully, but it is waking her up at night more than usual. Think I've got some Olbas Oil somewhere, I'll put some a hanky tonight and tie it to her cot, and my try medised instead of calpol to try and knock her out!

I have used the vapour plug in, which is quite good.

You can get a baby cough mixture - either Tixylix Baby syrup or Meltus cough syrup - meltus works wonders on dd... she's 10 months.

JM = Isn't that just for dry/tickly coughs? I've searched high and low and asked my GP and Pharmacist..... apparently they don't recommend any medicine for chesty coughs for under 12mths.

Agree with QF, my GP says the same, always advices that you increase fluid intake as this will help to loosen the gunk on chest, keep an eye on her temp and and breathing and see gp if you have any concerns

Also try raising the head end of the cot/mattress slightly.

I do have one of those plug in vaporisors, but find it a bit too strong. I've have increased her breast feeds and she also drinks plenty of water. I'll probably try raising one end of the cot tonight as well. Thanks for the advice everyone