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Decoding the Cough in Babies & Toddlers
Decoding the Cough in Babies & Toddlers
(3 Comments)
The Flu
The cough that may accompany the flu is similar to when you child has a cold—a dry cough. The difference is that your child will likely have a fever, vomiting and possibly diarrhea. Like a cold, the flu is also similarly treated with fluids and rest.
If your baby refused fluids, runs a high fever of 100 degrees for three days or 103 degrees for a day, or if she is struggling to breathe seek medical help immediately. She can get dehydrated easily and she may have more serious problems.
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GERD
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is actually fairly common in infants. Usually it isn’t serious and often they outgrow it within a year. However, there are cases that can be more severe. Symptoms include frequent cough, frequent hiccups, spitting up, poor appetite, poor sleep and irritability during feedings.
Often some simple changes can help your baby deal with GERD. Try keeping him sitting upright during feedings and don't forget to burp him. You can also elevate the head of his crib to help his food stay where it belongs when he is sleeping. Smaller feedings given more frequently can also help.
Call your doctor if you see that your child is losing weight or if he has problems swallowing. A sore throat, respiratory problems such as bronchiolitis, or sinus or ear infections are also reasons to see a doctor.
Whooping Cough
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a very serious illness. It has been increasing in frequency since the 1980s and has been found to be transmitted to babies from their parents, who show no symptoms, in many cases.
It is characterized by loud, frequent, violent coughing spasms. Other symptoms include the tongue sticking out, bulging eyes and discoloration of the face. If your child exhibits symptoms of whooping cough, call 911 immediately. Oxygen will be needed during the coughing spasms. Your doctor may prescribe erythromycin to the entire family and you can expect it to take several months to recover.
There are many different types of coughs, some serious and some not as serious. Educate yourself so you can recognize the need for medical attention if the need should arise.
Kathleen Roberts is a freelance writer and editor as well as the mother of five children. She writes about pregnancy, parenting, gardening and natural living. Kathleen enjoys spending as much time as she can in the outdoors with her family in the Florida Keys where she enjoys scuba diving, bicycling and anything else that will allow her to interact with nature.
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3 Comments | Add Comment
Medela symphony, NJ, USA
10/14/2009 6:53 am
Thank you for the tips, my baby is down with cough, i am sure your tips will really help!
Nicole
krystal, australia, QLD
07/05/2009 4:17 am
My daughter has had, croup, chest infection, reflux, flu and now bronculitis and she is all of 5 months old!!!. she has had the antibiotics they administer for bronculitis, but that was 3 weeks ago and she is still coughing and being kept up all night by it!!! HELP!!! what is happening?, could anyone tell me how to find out if babies have asthma?? my doc is not sure so we waiting to see if the predisone medication works, so far, 3 days, still coughing the same!
casey, aust nsw
04/18/2009 5:33 am
My 2 year old son has had a cough only at night for about 5 wks had 2 lots of antibotics still got it not sure if its ashtma or not
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