My 6 month old is sick and I can't stop his coughing...help!

Nyc - posted on 03/06/2009

UPDATE:  Thank you all for your help.  I did take him back to his doc and it's not croup and it's not RSV (he's has taken the medicine for that on his 2 & 4 month visit).  The coughing was just from the flu and unfortunately, there was nothing they could give him as a cough suppressant because of his age.  So what did I do:

I took everyone's advice!!  I rubbed him up with baby vapor rub, filled the bathroom with steam and sat in there for exactly 5 minutes and I kept the cool mist humidfier on all day and night and he's doing a whole lot better. 

Thank you everyone for your advice, input and help!!

Sarah - posted on 03/04/2009

Yup, yup, yup, get him back to the doctor! My second ended up with RSV and double bronchitis and was nearly hospitalized. Not to scare you, but coughing to the point of puke in a little baby is nothing to mess with. Even if you've already been, it's best to be safe. The lack of feeding is not doing him any favors either. With all the coughing he could very well start to weaken and possibly get a more serious illness.

Patrice - posted on 03/03/2009

My 8 month old had a really nasty cough back in January turns out he had RSV. You should really have him checked out. If the warm mist isn't working try a cool mist vaporizer. My Dr said warm mist is used for Infections and cool mist is for viruses. Im not sure of the logic but the cool mist does work. The emergency room Dr also told me to wrap him up in a blanket and step outside in the cold air. Sounds crazy but it is a quick fix to the coughing.

Stacie - posted on 03/03/2009

I don't know if you warm his formula already or not, but if he has a sore throat the warmth of milk will help. Also you might try getting a humidifier to turn on at night in his room, or you can use it all day if he needs it. I know it is hard at that age b/c you don't want to give them too much medicine, but you might try asking the pharmacist at your local pharmacy if there is a cough medicine for a child of that age. I also used to use the vicks rub for infants and that always seemed to soothe my son a little also. Hope this helps, good luck!

Christina - posted on 03/03/2009

yes, the cold air can make them cough.  But the cold also helps to open up the airway making it easier to breath.  In time you will find what works for your child.

Take care

Antoinett - posted on 03/03/2009

In reply to the last reply you had not the cold air that is what tends to make them cough.

Antoinett - posted on 03/03/2009

hi there my four month old had the same prob, i got told she had a viral infection i felt so bad for her as she had a runny nose conjunctivitis ear infection and a really bad cough, i rub a lil bit of baby vicks on her singlet so she can breathe that in also i put some vicks in a glass of hot water which helps and now thank god that horrible cough has gone, i hope your sun gets better.

Jennifer - posted on 03/03/2009

Have you steamed up the bathroom ? Does he have croop? even cold air out side helps... I have always done the steamed bathroom trick.. It is very scary - when in dought take to the ER

Shelly - posted on 03/03/2009

Nyc,

  Try sitting in the bathroom with the shower or tub running as hot as you can get it and just sit in there and let the steam break up the mucus (sp) break up in his chest...Try doing it evert time just before you feed...Do NOT do it while you are feeding it makes it to hard for them to breath...and only stay in there with him for about 5 min.  any longer will make it hard for him to breath.  be cause the steam gets to thick!!!  He will still cough but it will break it up enought that he can bring it up.  I had to do this with our second son b/c he was born 4wks early and his lungs were not full developed and would fill up with mucuse (sp) another thing that you might try is get a small vibrator and run it across his upper back it will help break every thing up too yes had to do that too...If you don't want to do that go that route you can cup your hand on gentlely but firmly pat his back to help break it up!!!!  Just a few suggestion hope they help...I will keep you and your son in my prayers 

Christina - posted on 03/03/2009

See the doctor again, if you are still not happy with what he says go to another one.  It's ok to question what you have been told.  Both of my boys have been treated for croup and have been placed on nebulizers troughout their lives for the coughing.  As some of the others pointed out steam my help, unfortunatly that was no help for mine,  When they start up we wrap them up and go sit outside.  There have been many nights when at 1 in the morning we were all wraped up sitting on the porch in 30 degree weather. 

I hope this helps and he gets better soon

Cindy - posted on 03/03/2009

I agree with getting him back to the Dr. You might want to look for an Allergist also. Both of my children had the same problem and were both diagnosed with asthma. The allergist was a big help and once the kids were getting treatment for their allergies the coughing stopped and the asthma improved 100%. Good luck

Jayme - posted on 03/03/2009

i agree take him to the docotr but if you have the experience i have had and are told it's a virus etc which always turns into an infection with my kidshere's some tips i use..... the bathroom full of steam is good but remember to open the bathroom window so the cold air works with the steam... alsoi find proping a couple pillow under the mattress so its elevated a bit helps ease coughing as well.. a cool mist vaporizer really helps as well. good luck and i hope your little guy feels better soon

Shelby - posted on 03/03/2009

I agree with taking him to the doctor. My oldest had that constant cough at 4 months of age. She ended up having the croup cough. She was placed on a nebulizer machine for a week. Please take him to the doctor before it gets worse.

Mikayl - posted on 03/03/2009

I agree get him to the doctor ASAP.  Thats nothing to be messing around with when he is so small.   I liked using the Gentle Vapors from pedia care.  It plugs into the wall and has a night light attached.  I should help with coughing. 

Terri - posted on 03/03/2009

Keep him well hydrated. It will thin out any mucus. Run a warm mist vaporizer in his room with the doors closed. The steam helps! Or, take him into the bathroom after the shower was running for 10 minutes or more. The steam always helped my kids. If he gets a barking cough,take him back to the doc's. He then has croup. He will need meds. Usually a cough around 6 months can be a sign of teeth coming in also. With the nose running it drips into the throat. Just keep in hydrated and only to the meds if he seems in a lot of pain. Hope this helps!

Kristina - posted on 03/03/2009

I agree - take him to the dr. ASAP.  My son, who is 5 now did the coughing at night until he throws up thing one or two weeks every winter.  When he was your son's age, he was prescribed a breathing treatment to use during the cold season as needed.  This winter, he had a yo-yo fever for weeks and he felt tired half way through the day.  I took him to the dr. at least once each week for almost four weeks.  Each time his lungs, ears and everything else was clear.  Of course, he didn't cough at the dr. since it was usually at night.  Then, at one of the many visits, they heard a crackle in his lungs and it turned out to be pnemonia.  He was put on a strong antibiotic and was fine the next day.  I just worry about your son being so young and that fluid possibly resting in his lungs.  It's so hard to watch your child be sick and cough so violently and there is nothing you can do to help.  Good luck!

Pamela - posted on 03/03/2009

Don't wait - take him straight back to the doctor. In the meantime take him into the bathroom and turn the shower on hot. sit in the room with the baby and let him breathe in the steam. I used this method for croup ( constant coughing). At such a young age this is not normal and I implore you to see either the same doctor or get a second opinion. It's better to be on the safe side. You've only got one little 6 month baby boy!