What are the effective cough remedies for children with night cough?

Nov 08, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
Children's night cough can be relieved through methods such as drinking water to alleviate coughing, back tapping, changing body positions, humidifying the environment, and using cough medications. Encourage children to drink plenty of water during the day to maintain adequate hydration, which helps thin mucus and reduce coughing. At night, if coughing affects sleep, giving the child an appropriate amount of warm water may help relieve dryness and discomfort in the throat, thereby reducing coughing.

Generally, nighttime cough in children can be relieved through methods such as drinking water, back tapping, changing body position, humidifying the environment, and using cough medications. Specific details are as follows:

1. Drinking water to relieve cough: Encourage children to drink plenty of water during the day to maintain adequate hydration, which helps thin mucus and reduce coughing. At night, if coughing affects sleep, giving the child a moderate amount of warm water may help soothe throat dryness and discomfort, thereby alleviating the cough.

2. Back tapping to relieve cough: When a child is coughing, parents can gently pat the child's back to help loosen and expel phlegm. The tapping should be done with moderate force, avoiding excessive pressure that could harm the child.

3. Changing body position: Some children experience worsened coughing when lying down. In such cases, adjusting the child’s position—such as elevating the head with a pillow—can improve breathing and help reduce coughing.

4. Humidifying the environment: Keeping indoor air moist can help ease coughing. Parents can use a humidifier or place bowls of water indoors to increase humidity. However, it is important to clean the humidifier regularly to prevent bacterial growth.

5. Medication for cough: If a child frequently experiences nighttime coughing, parents should consult a doctor and administer appropriate cough medicines as directed. If the nighttime cough is caused by bacterial infection, medications such as amoxicillin granules or cefaclor granules may be used under medical guidance to relieve symptoms. If the cause is viral infection, antiviral medications such as ribavirin granules or Siji Anti-Virus Mixture may be prescribed by a doctor.

During recovery, it is important to provide adequate nutrition for the child. Including nutrient-rich foods such as eggs and pork ribs in the diet can support recovery. Additionally, ensure proper indoor ventilation and pay attention to keeping the child warm.