Any tips for what to do when children intermittently cough at night?
I usually prop them up on a semi-reclining pillow so they are not sleeping flat. Sometimes it helps, but do any of you have other tips to share?
Thanks 
Re: Children coughing at night
Use a humidifier.
Also take them to the doctors just in case they have something going on, especially if they have been coughing for a while.
Re: Children coughing at night
How old are they Kikoy?
Re: Children coughing at night
yes....and look into allergies......make sure that they are not allergic to some fibre that is using their linen.
Re: Children coughing at night
How about night time Triaminic meds? It keeps them sound asleep.
Re: Children coughing at night
but meds should not be administered until we actually know the reason for the coughing......no?
Re: Children coughing at night
If they are toddlers and are in the habit of drinking milk from the bottle while in bed, see if you can avoid giving them milk. Milk creates mucus that drips on the throat and makes them cough.
but meds should not be administered until we actually know the reason for the coughing......no?
I assumed it was just seasonal /winter cough.
but yes it's important to find out the reason... since swine flu is a threat
Re: Children coughing at night
Yes please do find out...my little one has been coughing at night for the past few weeks and when I called the nurse she would brush it off saying it's probably just a viral...eventually I took her to the doctor and he's prescribed an antibiotic because it turned out to be an ear and sinus infection causing postnasal drips. She didn't complain of earache even once.
TLK - They are 4 and 12. Although I am worried more about the 4 year old. She is prone to asthma attacks whenever she gets these type of bugs. And no she does not take milk at night.
Niksik - If humidifier = steamer, then yes I used it with eucalyptus oil to help unblock her nose.
She seems to have settled down now...after coughing fit for about 15-20 mins. I did take her to doc today. And a blood test confirmed that its not bacterial infection.
NJMasti -...Swine flu thankfully not a huge threat here yet (touch wood)
Muzna - Its definetly related to a cold she caught. Does not seem to have allergies.
Thanks...
Re: Children coughing at night
Allah swt sab masoom jaanon ko shifa day, ameen!
It pains me to see children ill.
Re: Children coughing at night
my mom gives my lil brother honey with ginger ....and it helps to settle down he coughing....its even good for adults...
Be careful that you don't give any medicine that causes the child to go into a sleep deep as they may want to cough and end up choking as they are in a deep sleep.
My pharmacist said cough medicine just supresses the cough doesn't make it better that's why as soon as you stop it the cough comes back to take its course. it's better to let them cough it out, but yes watch it doesnt go on too long.
x
Allah swt sab masoom jaanon ko shifa day, ameen!
.
aameen.
Humidifier and Baby Vicks!
Oh I have done the ginger and honey (with turmeric) Vicks on chest and back...no cough medicine the whole lot. Its just as strong as ever :( Now she has even lost her appetite.
mrsshy you are right about cough medicine suppressing the cough. Actually, according to natural medicine, when mucus is expelled via sneezing coughing or simply from the nose, this is a way for the body to get rid of the bacteria/virus/germs that have been destroyed by the body's natural immune system. By suppressing this, we are not allowing the toxins/waste to leave the body. In fact a lot of cough syrups for children are actually recalled and not available OTC as before.
Re: Children coughing at night
Kikoy, for tickly coughs, a mixture of warm water and honey usually does the trick for my girls, but if your child has asthma, like you said, it sounds like dust mite may be aggravating it further, especially at night.
Some action to take in this case:
Remove soft furry toys/teddies from her surroundings... if she can't go to sleep without them, then regularly wash them at 60 degrees Celsius.
Think about purchasing an anti-dust mite bedding (mattress cover, duvet and pillow cover) that is made from anti-mite micro porous material.
If possible, remove carpet from the child's bedroom, replacing with laminate (so that the dust mite has nowhere to live)
Air the room all day long, so as to remove any moisture.
Hope that helps. :)
Kikoy, for tickly coughs, a mixture of warm water and honey usually does the trick for my girls
Are you suppose to mix the warm water and honey?
I have never heard of this... can you tell more...
You are suppose to drink it? How much do you make? Like one teaspoon?
Kikoy, for tickly coughs, a mixture of warm water and honey usually does the trick for my girls, but if your child has asthma, like you said, it sounds like dust mite may be aggravating it further, especially at night.
Oh I used to give her warm water with honey some time ago when she refused to drink plain water. Somehow as she started drinking water, I forgot about the honey part. Thanks for reminding me, I gave her some this evening and she loved it.
[quote]
Some action to take in this case:
Remove soft furry toys/teddies from her surroundings... if she can't go to sleep without them, then regularly wash them at 60 degrees Celsius.
Think about purchasing an anti-dust mite bedding (mattress cover, duvet and pillow cover) that is made from anti-mite micro porous material.
If possible, remove carpet from the child's bedroom, replacing with laminate (so that the dust mite has nowhere to live)
Air the room all day long, so as to remove any moisture.
Hope that helps. :)
[/QUOTE]
Yes it does help. Although she does not sleep with toys nor has a carpet in her room, I realised that she spent a lot of time on the living room carpet yesterday. Today, I have avoided it, given her warm water and honey, Vicks rub steamer...she has a certain "cough-free" position...slightly propped up and on her side (not lying flat on her back) and I dont understand the logic, but she has to lie diagonally in the bed (????) So far so good...Inshallah she will have a good rest tonight.
Thanks again :)
Re: Children coughing at night
It can be due to asthma, get her checked by a ped