Every year, many babies suffer from coughs and colds due to their weak immune systems. In fact, in the first year, most of them get colds more than seven times. Children pick up various viruses and bacteria that cause infection through contact with polluted air, surfaces, contaminated by humans.
A cough in a child under one year old is one of the most common manifestations of colds and infectious diseases. Although coughing can be unpleasant and the baby may be very uncomfortable, it is not a very serious symptom. Coughing is a necessary reflex, a reaction of the body that helps to protect the baby's airway from any infections.
However, there are rare cases when a cough in a child under one year old leads to more serious bronchial infections and requires the attention of a medical expert. One such example is whooping cough, the incidence of which is gaining momentum in European countries due to a decrease in the stratum of vaccinated children.
What is a cough like?
The cough is dry or moist.
Dry cough in children under one year old is caused by swelling of the throat and upper respiratory tract. The swelling causes a tickling sensation in the child's throat, causing him to cough to try to clear up the irritation.
A wet cough is usually caused by phlegm (mucus). The child coughs to remove it from the lungs.
The cough can also be accompanied by:
runny nose;- fever;
- pain when swallowing;
- irritability;
- red eyes;
- loss of appetite;
- swollen lymph nodes in the armpits, neck and back of the head.
runny nose;Treating cough in children under one year old can be a very difficult task for parents, as experts do not recommend pharmaceutical drugs for coughing children under six years of age due to the development of possible side effects.
Treating cough in children with folk remedies will help alleviate the symptoms of the disease and strengthen the child's immunity.
How is a cough for an infant under 6 months of age treated?
Breast-feeding
Breastfeeding is the first and foremost decision when a month-old baby has a cough. In the first six months of a baby, breast milk is the only way to heal his body from any problems. Breast milk is loaded with antibodies. They help the body of the baby to form immunity against all types of microbes, viruses and bacteria.
Rest and bed rest
Give your child peace of mind so they have the energy to fight infection. The healing process can be quick if the baby gets enough rest.
Air humidification
A 1 month old baby's cough can be relieved with this one of the most effective and proven home remedies for coughs and colds, which helps to reduce the viscosity of mucus and speed up the process of its elimination. Moisturizing the air makes breathing easier by reducing congestion and swelling.
For babies under 6 months old, the following method is good. Go to the bathroom and turn on the hot water. Sit with your child in the bathroom for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
Mustard oil massage
This is an old folk cough remedy for babies. It will help, for example, when a 2 month old baby has a cough.
How to make a garlic solution with mustard oil to relieve a 2 month old baby's cough?
- Heat about 100 ml of mustard oil.
- Add 8 to 10 garlic cloves, chopped into chunks.
- Heat this mixture until the garlic turns black.
- Now filter this oil and cool slightly.
Massage your child with this oil while still a little warm. Apply it to your chest, back, palms and lower legs. Then bathe your child in a warm bath.
It is very effective and you will notice relief immediately.
Remember that the oil must be warm, but never hot.
Mustard oil adds warmth to the body, and garlic has antibacterial properties that help kill bacteria that cause colds and reduce a child's cough.
Appropriate clothing
To avoid colds and to protect your baby from the cold, it is important to cover the chest and back with the correct baby clothing. Also, cover your baby's legs, head and ears when going outside. Sometimes parents tend to dress the child too warmly in an attempt to keep them warm. This is also not very good.
If you see your baby sweating because of too many layers, change her clothes after wiping off the sweat, as this can cause colds and coughs even in a month old baby.
Massage with coconut oil
- Heat the coconut oil.
- Massage the oil into your baby's chest before bed.
You can also massage your hair with the same oil. This will help relieve colds and coughs in a 4 month old baby, for example.
Saffron
Saffron is a stimulant tonic that helps treat colds, coughs in a 5 month old baby.
Saffron is helpful in reducing the accumulation of phlegm in the chest.
Advice:
- take a pinch of saffron, chop to make a paste;
- add a few drops of water;
- apply the paste to your baby's chest, forehead, throat and feet at night;
- do this daily until the 5 month old baby's cough and chest congestion have subsided.
Essential oils in the room
Essential oils are plant extracts. They are obtained from roots, leaves, flowers, stems, or a mixture of these.
Do not be confused with the many types of aromatic oils found on the market. Scented oils are synthetic, they have no healing properties and effects.
Essential oils that can be sprayed in a child's room to increase coughing up phlegm are cloves, eucalyptus, ginger, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and thyme.
Dilute essential oils with water and place in a spray bottle for best results.
How to treat a cough in a child 6 months and older?
Rubbing dry fried turmeric
Turmeric is a popular folk remedy for coughs and colds. Turmeric's antibacterial properties make it an effective solution for the natural treatment of coughs and colds.
Advice:
- take dried turmeric root, light it and make a powder;
- Apply turmeric paste (turmeric powder plus a few drops of water) to your child's nose to ease nasal congestion.
- apply warm turmeric paste to chest, neck, legs.
Since turmeric has antibacterial properties, it helps in getting rid of phlegm and coughs.
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil is an effective remedy for coughs and colds. Eucalyptus oil increases the circulation of fluids in the body, helps expel phlegm and relieves blocked airways.
Just put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on your baby's clothes or on a handkerchief that will always be near your baby.
Boiled water with cumin seeds
Cumin seeds contain essential oils that prevent viral infections and help in getting rid of coughs and phlegm. They also strengthen the immune system.
Boil the cumin seeds in water and give your child a drink when he cools.
Carrot juice
Carrot juice is a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. The nutrients it contains helps with whooping cough.
Prepare freshly squeezed carrot juice, dilute it with filtered water and offer to your baby.
Warm vegetable soup
Offer vegetable soup to a 7 month old baby, for example. Warm soups will warm your baby's chest and throat, boost immunity, relieve cold symptoms, and ease coughs.
How can you help children from 8 months old?
Turmeric water
Turmeric's anti-inflammatory properties help unblock mucus and phlegm buildup in the chest and soothe a cough in an 8 month old baby.
Take a glass of water and boil it with a pinch of turmeric powder. Offer a warm solution to the child.
How to treat a cough in a 9 month old child?
You can give a mixture of jaggery, caraway seeds and black pepper, diluted in warm water.
You will need:
palm sugar - 1 - 2 tsp;- cumin seeds - a pinch;
- black pepper - 1 or 2 pinches;
- water - 1 cup.
palm sugar - 1 - 2 tsp;Boil all ingredients in water for 10 minutes. Strain, refrigerate and serve to child.
Limit dosage to 1 to 2 teaspoons once a day.
This mixture is effective for colds, coughs and sore throats in babies.
Children from 10 months
Black pepper and ghee
Black pepper is an effective remedy for coughs and colds. Pepper is rich in vitamin C and has antibacterial properties, so it helps in treating colds. Ghee soothes a sore throat and provides relief from colds.
Melt the ghee for a minute and add a pinch of powdered pepper to it. Give this mixture once a day to your child.
Cough remedies for children at 1 year old
Lemon
Lemon is another good home remedy. With its high vitamin C content, lemon stimulates the immune system and helps fight colds.
Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties can help reduce coughing, relieve sore throat.
Advice:
- put juice, peel of 4 lemons and tbsp. l. ginger slices in a container;
- add boiled water so that it covers all the ingredients;
- cover with a lid and let it brew for 10 minutes;
- drain the liquid;
- dilute it with warm water 1: 1 and add honey to taste;
- let your child drink this hot lemonade several times a day.
Honey
This is a wonderful cough suppressant. It has antioxidant, antibacterial, immunomodulatory properties that can help relieve coughs, soothe a sore throat, and kill bacteria that cause infection.
Advice:
- mix a couple of teaspoons of honey and lemon juice. Offer to your child every few hours for symptom relief;
- you can also ask your child to swallow a spoonful of buckwheat honey several times during the day;
- a glass of warm milk with honey will reduce dry cough and soreness in the chest.
Ginger
Ginger is a very common natural remedy for coughs and colds. It has a healing effect due to its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and antitussive properties.
It is effective in stimulating perspiration and heat release, which in turn reduces fever. In addition, ginger boosts the immune system, which speeds up the body's recovery from illness.
Advice:
- place 6 cups of water, half a cup of finely chopped ginger and 2 cinnamon sticks in a container;
- cook over low heat for 20 minutes, then strain;
- add honey or sugar and let the child drink half a glass several times a day.
Oranges
Vitamin C in oranges helps to increase the production of white blood cells, which kill disease-causing bacteria. It also stimulates the immune system, helping to cope with the signs of illness faster.
Dilute freshly squeezed orange juice with warm water in a 1: 1 ratio and drink at regular intervals.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and natural warming properties that can help cure colds, relieve sore throat and soothe coughs.
Advice:
mix 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder and 1 teaspoon honey;- give the formula to the child once a day.
mix 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder and 1 teaspoon honey;White onion juice
White onion is popularly known for its medicinal qualities.
Extract the white onion juice and offer 1 teaspoon to your little one. This will help relieve colds and cough up phlegm.
What is important for parents to know?
- the information presented here is a recommendation and does not replace medical prescriptions;
- a cough in a one-month-old baby must be treated exclusively according to the recommendations of a specialist;
- consult a doctor if a child has a cough 3 months or younger;
- be sure to seek medical attention if symptoms persist for more than 3 days;
- each child is different, and not always the same method will be effective for different children;
- it is recommended to use only natural ingredients for the preparation of these home remedies;
- consult a doctor as soon as possible if the cough is hoarse and the child has an ear infection;
- avoid drinking whole milk when your baby is taking antibiotics;
- seek the help of specialists if the child is dehydrated, as it leads to dangerous consequences;
- make sure that all the products that the child consumes during the illness as a medicine, he has already tried before, and they do not cause him allergies;
- always consult a pediatrician before introducing a new food into your child's diet;
Thus, coughing is a healthy and important reflex that helps protect children's airways. In most cases, cough treatment in a child under one year old can be carried out using home methods, and not using pharmaceutical cough medicines. But this must be done under the supervision of a doctor.
