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Home Remedies for Baby Cough
cough and chest congestion

Home Remedies for Baby Cough and Chest Congestion

Congestion is common in babies. Baby congestion is usually harmless, but it can sometimes be uncomfortable, causing a stuffy nose and noisy or rapid breathing. Babies may experience congestion in their nose (called nasal congestion), or it may sound as though the congestion is in their chest. The symptoms differ depending on where the congestion occurs. A baby cough and congestion can be remedied at home, but contact your doctor if it is accompanied with other symptoms.

 

Nasal congestion is more likely, and if the baby is happy and feeding normally, this is normal, and the baby is likely fine. However, caregivers can help relieve a baby’s congestion using a rubber suction bulb to remove excess mucus. Other home remedies, such as using a humidifier and administering nasal saline drops, can also help relieve the baby’s discomfort.

Baby Cough and Chest Congestion Causes


Babies can get congested when they breathe in smoke, pollutants, viruses, and other irritants. Their bodies produce extra mucus in the nose and airways to trap and remove these irritants. Exposure to dry air and other weather conditions can also trigger excess mucus production and congestion. Babies are more likely than older children to get congestion because their nasal passages and airways are small and not yet mature.

Possible causes of nasal congestion include:
 

  • breathing in dry air
  • changes in weather
  • viral infections, such as a cold
  • breathing in air pollutants
  • allergies

Congestion that develops deeper in the baby’s chest may have a more serious cause, such as:

 

  • asthma
  • flu
  • pneumonia
  • bronchiolitis, which respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) usually causes
  • transient tachypnea, which typically only occurs in the first day or two after birth

    Premature babies may experience more congestion than full term babies.

Baby Cough and Chest Congestion Home Remedies


Home remedies for baby cough and chest congestion focus on providing care and comfort and are often very effective. If illness is the cause of the congestion, you can help manage the symptoms of congestion while waiting for the illness to pass.


Sometimes, you can often relieve nasal congestion using a suction bulb, or a nasal syringe. These are soft rubber bulbs that can suck mucus from the nose. These are found in drug stores or choose from several brands online.

Steps that you can take to help their baby feel better include the following:
 

  • Provide warm baths, which can help clear congestion and offer a distraction.
  • Keep up regular feedings and monitor for wet diapers.
  • Add one or two drops of saline to their nostril using a small syringe.
  • Provide steam or cool mist, such as from a humidifier or by running a hot shower.
  • Gently massage their nasal bridge, forehead, temples, and cheekbones.
  • Remove potential allergens or pollutants from the home’s air by vacuuming up pet hair, not burning candles, and not smoking.
  • Use gentle suction to help clear the nasal passageway, particularly before feeding.
  • Wipe away excess mucus with a soft, dry tissue or cloth.

You should never give a baby cold or flu medication. If the congestion is severe or there are other symptoms of concern, they should schedule a medical appointment with your pediatrician for the baby.
 

Here are a few more Indian home remedies for dry cough in child that have proven to be quite effective in aiding with chest congestion

1. Steam Inhalation

 

An effective method that will provide your baby with immediate relief is steaming. Steaming will help loosen the mucus inside the chest. Furthermore, it will moisturise the nasal cavity and prevent the drying up of mucus which can block the airway. Alternatively, you can take your baby into a bathroom filled with steam. This is one of the most efficient home remedies for cold in babies.

2. Breastfeed your baby

 

If your infant is below six months of age, just breastfeed him. Breast milk works better than over-the-counter pills. It will hydrate your infant, take care of his nutritional needs, and help him fight infections.

3. Raise his head.

 

Elevate your child’s head with an extra pillow at night; this will open her airways so mucus can drain. As a home remedy for baby cough, raise the head of the crib mattress by placing a wedge or pillow under the mattress.

4. Pat his back.

 

Lay your baby on your lap in such a way on his tummy. Cup the neck in one hand. Now, use your free hand to gently pat his back and loosen the mucus stuck in the chest area.

5. Mist Humidifier


Keep a cool-mist humidifier in your child's room to help loosen chest and nasal congestion, which is one of the best home remedies for baby cough and chest congestion at night. Germs and bacteria can grow quickly in the humidifier, so change the water daily and thoroughly clean the unit, following the manufacturer's instructions.

6. Haldi (Turmeric)


Turmeric contains curcumin which helps the body remove the mucus that is lodged inside. It can be mixed with warm water and given to the baby and is the best indian home remedies for dry cough in child. However, avoid giving too much turmeric as it can induce nausea.

7. Hot compress with Ajwain (Carom Seeds) and Garlic


Heat some garlic and ajwain (carom seeds) in a pan until it is slightly warm and wrap it in a piece of cloth. Apply this on your infant’s chest to provide relief from chest congestion. Avoid making the mixture too hot as it could burn your baby’s skin.

8. Massage using mustard oil.

 

This is a variant of the previous remedy. You can use warm mustard oil with garlic to massage your baby’s chest. Use caution while applying as hot oil can burn your baby’s skin.

9. Chicken noodle soup


Chicken noodle soup has been used to cure chest congestion and is one of the most reliable home remedies for cold in babies since ancient times. It clears up the mucus in the lungs, provides all the required nutrients and needs lesser energy to digest. This is a great home remedy for colds and can be used for babies aged 9 months and up..

10. Lemon and Honey


Lemon and honey can help loosen the phlegm. Lemon is also rich in Vitamin C which helps to boost the immune system. This remedy can only be given to babies over 12 months of age.

11. Onion juice


Grate an onion and add the juice to lukewarm water. Onions contain sulphur and quercetin which help to reduce mucus formation. It also has anti-microbial properties which help in fighting off infections. It can be given to babies who are above one year of age. However, your infant may not like its taste. You can mix it with honey and warm water before giving it to your baby.

12. Radish Juice


Radish juice contains compounds that ease chest congestion. It can either be consumed directly or its oil extract can be applied on to the baby’s chest.

13. Eucalyptus oil  


Eucalyptus oil has a pleasant fragrance and works wonders if your baby has a cold and cough. Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a handkerchief and place it where your baby sleeps so that he can inhale the scent.

14. Jaggery, Cumin, Black Pepper, and Warm Water Concoction


This concoction can calm colds and a cough and sore throat.

You will need the following ingredients:
 

  • Jaggery– 1 or 2 tsp.
  • Black pepper – 1 to 2
  • Cumin seeds – a pinch
  • Water– 1 cup

    Mix all the ingredients and bring the water to a boil. Cool and filter the water to be fed. Do not give the baby more than two teaspoons of this concoction as the jaggery and pepper contain heat, which is only good for young babies in small proportions. This remedy is suitable for babies aged 9 months and older.

15. Infused Coconut Oil Massage


You will need the following ingredients:

 

  • 1/2 cup of coconut oil
  • 1 pearl onion
  • 2 to 3 tulsi leaves
  • 1 betel stem

    Heat the coconut oil and add the other ingredients to it. When the ingredients are warm enough, switch off the stove. Let it cool, and once the oil has reached a lukewarm temperature, apply it on the baby’s chest, back, the soles of his feet, and his palms.

16. Saltwater Gargling


One of the simplest home remedies for baby cough involves salt and water. Simply mix one-half teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of water, then have your child gargle the solution. It should ease cough-causing throat irritation. Regularly doing this will provide quick results. If your baby is too young to gargle, you can substitute salt water for regular warm water instead.

As always, contact your pediatrician or any other medical professional if these remedies don’t work and the cough/congestion persists. Also
 

  1. If the baby is less than four months old
  2. A cough accompanied with a temperature of 100 or more degrees
  3. Mild wheezing
  4. A dry cough that lasts for more than five days

    These are signs that medical intervention may be required.
Please be aware that the information given in these articles is only intended as general advice and should in no way be taken as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you or your family or your child is suffering from symptoms or conditions which are severe or persistent or you need specific medical advice, please seek professional medical assistance. Philips AVENT cannot be held responsible for any damages that result from the use of the information provided on this website.