Easing a Child's Cough

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  Steam from hot water can calm a night-time cough.shower image by Ekaterina Shvigert from Fotolia.com
  
  Increase the humidity of the air. Often the throat is irritated by dry air, so parents can invest in a humidifier to place in the child's bedroom to raise the humidity level. For a barking cough during the night that won't stop, WebMD (in "Coughs - Home Treatment") suggests taking the child into the bathroom and running the hot water to create a steamy environment. Keep the child away from the hot water to prevent burns.
  
  
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  Raising a child's head with another pillow can alleviate a cough.bed. pillow and duvet.bed head. image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
  
  Raise the head of the bed. For a cold or allergies, children often have a post-nasal drip that results in an aggravating tickle in the back of the throat. While this doesn't usually result in a terrible cough, it is irritating enough to bother the child. You can ease this by elevating the child's head slightly. Raise the head of the mattress with some books between the mattress and box spring, or simply slide another pillow under the one the child usually uses.
  
  
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  Small sips of cool water will soothe an irritated throat.pouring water from a bottle image by ElsSh from Fotolia.com
  
  Keep a cool drink handy. A stainless steel water bottle filled with some cool water will allow the child to take frequent drinks. According to Kids Health in "Your Child's Cough," not only will this help soothe the throat and quiet a cough, but it will also help keep her hydrated, which will ultimately lead to a quicker recovery.
  
  
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  A teaspoon of honey coats the throat and quiets a cough.take a medicine image by DXfoto.com from Fotolia.com
  
  Give a teaspoon of honey. Fox News reported that a "Teaspoon of Honey Works Better for Children Than Cough Medicine." For parents who want to avoid using medication unless absolutely necessary, this study showed that when some children were given an over-the-counter cough medicine, and others a teaspoon of honey, the children who took the honey saw more improvement in cough symptoms. Do not give honey to children under one year old, due to immature immune systems.
  
  
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  Call the doctor if a cough doesn't improve.stethescope image by Jeffrey Zalesny from Fotolia.com
  
  Call the doctor for a cough that continues to persist. While coughs typically go away after a short time, those that continue on need to be checked out. Occasionally more serious conditions such as pneumonia, pertussis (whooping cough), or asthma are causing the cough. Doctors may also recommend over-the-counter medications that can help alleviate other symptoms related to the cough. An expectorant for chest congestion, or a nasal decongestant may help, but a doctor should see children regarding dosaging information.