Loud, phlegmy, deep coughs are “good” coughs! Your child is moving air and protecting their lungs. It is still not fun. You can help with the drainage of mucus between their nose and throat that usually causes this type of cough.

How To Help Your Child

Do

  • Help clear their nose with suction or saline flushes
  • Older kids can gargle with salt water
  • Give them honey at bedtime in a teaspoon, in warm lemon water, in warm caffeine-free tea. (ages 12 months and older)
  • Put vapor rub on their chest
  • If possible have them sleep with their head elevated instead of flat

Don’t

  • DON’T give your child cough syrup or suppressants (cough medicine). Studies have shown this can lead to pneumonia.
When to Worry

Contact us by texting or calling 503 400 3852 option 2 if child

  • You see retracting (skin/muscles sinking in when breathing in) at the base of the neck above the breastbone when your child breathes in.And/or if they make loud sounds when breathing not linked to being upset.

  • And/or if they make loud sounds when breathing not linked to being upset.

This advice about symptom relief is intended to equip you to help your child at home. If you have continued concerns please contact our office. If this is a medical emergency, please call 911 and us. We can also help during an emergency.

If you are not a Small Town Pediatrics family, please contact your child’s medical office or click Accepting New Patients to register your child with us.