Does your little one have a cough too? (Cough) Let's talk about this!

Did you know that coughing is actually a natural defense mechanism in our body? Yes, coughing is a way to keep the airways, that is, the airways in the throat and chest, clean. This helps to get rid of unnecessary things like mucus and dust. But, it is normal for a mother or father to feel very scared when our little one has a cough. Most of the time, coughs in little ones are caused by a virus and get better on their own in a few days. But sometimes this cough can be a little more severe and can be a sign of another illness. So, let's see how to be aware of this cough, what you can do at home, and when you should definitely see a doctor.

What can you do at home when you have a cough?

Don't panic when your little one starts coughing. Often, simple things you can do at home can provide relief.

Is it a "barking dog" cough? Or is it a croup cough?

Sometimes, especially at night, little ones can suddenly have a hoarse, choking cough that sounds like a dog barking. We call it croupy cough . At times like these, you can take your baby and stay in a steamy bathroom for about 20 minutes. Close the bathroom door and turn on the hot water tap to fill it with steam. When you breathe in this steam, the blocked airways open up a bit, and the cough is relieved.

Give plenty of fluids

It's not good to have a dry throat when you have a cough. So give your baby plenty of fluids .

• If your baby is still exclusively breastfed, breastfeed frequently.
• If your baby is drinking formula, give that as well.
• If your child is a little older, you can give them things like cold water and fresh fruit juice (without artificial sweeteners).
• But remember , do not give carbonated drinks like soda, or citrus drinks like lemon and orange. These can further irritate a throat that is already sore from the cold.

There is moisture in the room.

If you can, keep a cool-mist humidifier in your child's room. This will increase the humidity in the air in the room and help relieve dry coughs and sore throats. However, it is very important to keep this machine clean, otherwise it can spread diseases.

Is your nose blocked?

Sometimes, along with coughing, your nose gets blocked and it becomes difficult to breathe. In such cases, you can put some saline nose drops, which you can buy at the pharmacy, in your nose. This will help loosen the mucus and make it easier to come out. This is very useful for small babies.

Extremely important!

Never give cough or cold medicine to children under six (6) years of age without medical advice. Also, don't give them cough drops, which are given to children as a cough medicine. They can be very dangerous, especially for young children.

If you have symptoms like these, you should see a doctor immediately!

If home remedies do not relieve the cough, or if your child has any of the following symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice immediately .

• If the cough is severe, if it is so severe that it cannot be stopped (severe cough spasms or attacks).
• If you make a very high-pitched, whistling sound when you breathe in, this is called stridor. This means that there is a blockage somewhere in the airway.
• If you make a 'whoosh...whoosh...' sound from your chest while breathing, it is called wheezing. This can also be seen in conditions like asthma.
• If the cough has been going on for more than a week , or if it seems to be getting worse day by day.
• If you get a cough at the same time every year , or if you feel like you're coughing after being exposed to something specific, like pollen, dust, or pet dander (this could be a sign of an allergy).
• If you have a fever for more than two or three days along with a cough.
• If your baby is under 3 months old and has a cough, don't assume it's normal. See a doctor right away, as young babies are very sensitive.
• If the baby is breathing very fast (Rapid breathing) , or if it seems like it is having a hard time breathing (the belly is flat, the chest seems to be going in - working hard to breathe).
• If your baby's lips, face, or tongue turn blue or very pale, either after or during a cough, this means they are not getting enough oxygen. This is called cyanosis. This is a condition that requires emergency medical attention!

It is very important for your child's safety that you are well aware of these symptoms.

What can you do to reduce the occurrence of coughing?

There is a saying that goes, "It is better to prevent a disease than to treat it after it has developed." So, there are several things we can do to reduce the chances of developing a cough.

• Be careful about asthma or allergies:If your child already has asthma, or has allergies to things like dust, pollen, or certain foods, follow the treatment plan your doctor has given you exactly. This will reduce the chance of a cough.
• Stay away from smokers and people with colds: Protect young children from cigarette smoke completely. Also, avoid taking your little ones near people with colds and fevers.
• Give the right vaccines: It is important to give our children the right vaccines at the right time. These vaccines protect against respiratory illnesses that cause severe coughs, such as pneumonia and whooping cough.
• Teach proper cough and sneeze etiquette: Teach young children to cover their mouth and nose with the crook of their elbow when coughing or sneezing. Not with their hands. This will reduce the spread of germs.
• Wash your hands regularly: We all know how important it is to wash our hands thoroughly with soap. Teach this habit to your children too. Let's do the same.

Simple home remedies can provide relief. However, if you have any doubts or fears, or if you notice any of the warning signs I mentioned earlier, never delay seeing a doctor.

Your child's health is the most important thing. Therefore, don't hesitate to seek medical advice at any time. Wishing you all good health!