The problem of cough is quite common in toddlers. Young children are sensitive to viruses and germs more than adults, but it also helps in developing their immune systems. It is important to help your kid to manage the symptoms of cold, cough and flu. The most common reasons for toddler coughs are viruses and asthma, which usually leads to choking, wheezing, and other signs of cold. Toddler cough and fever may also tell about influenza. Toddlers can recover from cough with simple home remedies as well. Cough treatment should be about hydrating and relaxing your child. It is not as such important to try to stop the coughing specifically. Read this article further to know about some natural ways to treat coughing in toddlers at home.
Natural remedies for coughing in toddlers
From essential oils to saline nasal drops, there are many natural ways to take care of coughing in toddlers at home. Toddlers, from age 12-36 months are extremely sensitive and require proper care and attention all the time. In fact, they also get prone to various infections faster than other elder children. So, here are 5 home remedies for toddler coughing:
1. Saline nasal drops
Saline nasal drops is one of the most common and effective natural remedies to treat coughing in toddlers. It helps in curing several problems such as congestion, sinuses, dry nose, cough, etc. The saline drops helps in softening the mucus and also clearing your nasal passage. You just simple have to use it while your toddler is taking a warm bath or when he wakes up during the night due to coughing. It is considered as a safe product, just keep following the instructions or guidelines on the bottle. pray it in your nostril, whilst tilting your Saline spray or even saltwater is an easy home remedy for treating toddler cough. It plays the major role of a humidifier and keeps the nasal lining moist.
2. Honey
Honey is known for its medicinal properties that can help in treating many throat and nasal problems like sore throat, cough and cold. Moreover, it also contains antibacterial properties that can help in combating any type of infections. However, honey is not considered completely safe for children under one year of age due to the risk of botulism. For toddlers who are over one year, you can give a teaspoon of honey to cure coughing, but take care of the sugar intake as well. You can also mix honey with a little water or milk to make it easier for the toddler to consume whenever coughing.
Also read: 5 Superfoods for Toddlers You Must Know
3. Essential oils
Essential oils are extremely beneficial and are used for many purposes. These herbal products mainly lavender oil, ginger oil, tea tree oil, etc are also effective to provide relief from cough in toddlers when applied on the skin or diffused into the air. However, remember to talk to your doctor before using any essential oils. Not all oils are safe for toddlers.
4. Humidifier
Keeping a humidifier in your toddler's room can also help in getting rid of cough. It is good to put a humidifier in the little one's room as it will keep him warm, moisturized and safe from unnecessary coughing all the time, especially at night. Humidifiers help to add moisture into the air, which is good to resolve skin issues as well
5. Keep them hydrated
Staying hydrated is also important when your toddler is sick and coughing a lot. Drinking water helps in fighting many illnesses and keeping the airway moist and safe. You have to make sure that your child drinks good amounts of water everyday. Like, a one-year-old needs atleast one serving of water per day. While, a two-year-old needs two servings per day. If the tough child is not taking milk and not eating properly, they might need more water. Give them water at least every hour or two, but don’t push them to drink it. Along with keeping your toddler hydrated with water, you can also give popsicles to increase fluids and heal the throat.
Also read: 10 Best home remedies for Cold and Cough
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