8 Soothing Cough Strategies for Babies Kids and Adults
A cough is a necessary evil. It can be annoying and uncomfortable and when it lingers it can become troubling. It’s especially hard as a parent when your child is continuously coughing, and you just want them to feel better fast. Coughing is our body’s way of moving mucus and foreign substances out of the lungs and respiratory tract. It is a powerful source of protection for the body but when it lingers for weeks and weeks, a cough can be a real pain. You can help to shorten the duration of a cough by taking action to remove excess mucus from your system. Babies need special help riding mucus as they are unable to blow their nose or take certain medications.
Here are a few natural ways to aid your body in getting rid of excess mucus and easing the discomfort of a cough:
1. Pine Essential Oil
Create a steam diffused treatment using pine essential oil. Pine oil is great because it’s safe for babies and contains alpha pinene. This compound is a bronchodilator which means that it will increase airflow to the lungs. It will help to open up air passageways making it easier to breathe while managing congestion and coughing.
Some essential oils such as rosemary, peppermint and eucalyptus while great for adults and kids over 12, can be potentially harmful to babies. So, it’s important to be mindful when using essential oils around babies.
To create a steam diffusion with pine oil, put the oil on a washcloth. Put it in a steamy shower and sit in or next to the shower and breathe in the steam.
2. NoseFrida
Since babies are not able to blow their noses on their own, they need a little help getting rid of excess mucus. A NoseFrida is a simple solution that can go a long way. It’s gentler and more comfortable for your baby compared to a bulb syringe. Don’t overlook this simple yet effective tool.
3. Chest or Back Massage
A chest or back massage for your child or baby will do wonders by helping to move mucus around so that they are able to rid it. You can incorporate pine essential oil to increase the beneficial effects. Create a 1% pine oil dilution by mixing 1 drop of essential oil to 1 tsp or carrier oil, such as olive oil, almond oil, or apricot oil. Rub this on their back or chest and gently massage it in. You can also cup your hands and pound a little bit to help move and loosen mucus.
4. Skin to Skin
This a solution that will cost you nothing and it works wonders for your baby’s respiratory health. Moms, you have superpowers! Skin to skin has been shown to have many benefits to your baby’s overall health. Babies who are held often, gain weight and develop faster. If your baby has a slight fever you can do skin to skin and your body will help to regulate their temperate and bring it down to a manageable level. To do skin to skin, remove your shirt and place your baby on your chest and just hold them skin to skin. Your respirations will ease, soothe, and regulate their respirations helping them to breathe easier and calm their coughing.
5. Catnip
Catnip is a wonderful herb for babies and kids. It will relax their muscles, ease spasms, and reduce pain. This will help if your child has a spastic cough or if they have a cough that is keeping them awake at night. Catnip is a key ingredient in Andi Lynn’s Shhh… Drops. These drops are safe for all ages and will help with a cough and help aid your child to fall asleep and stay asleep.
6. Garlic Plaster
Garlic is an amazing herb. It contains anti-microbial, anti-fungal properties and is high in allicin. Garlic is great for thinning mucus secretions making it easier to move the mucus out of your system when you cough. A garlic plaster is a great way to get the beneficial properties of garlic into your system without having to eat a whole bulb raw. To make a garlic plaster chop the root off of a bulb of garlic. Toss it into a food processor and drizzle in some olive oil. The garlic skin contains beneficial properties so go ahead and just leave it on. Blend the mixture until it’s smooth, about the consistency of hummus. Smear the plaster onto a paper towel and fold it a couple of times. That’s it! You have your garlic plaster. Just place this right on your baby’s chest. This remedy is also great for kids and adults. The garlic will absorb right through the skin.
Garlic is caustic so be sure to check the skin. If the skin looks pink, it’s time to remove the garlic because it has penetrated, and it’s done its job. Garlic can be excitable for babies, so test this remedy out in the daytime before trying it at night.
7. Bronchia Calm
Bronchia Calm is an effective herbal solution for a serious cough. This remedy is for adults and kids over the age of 6. The APP does not recommend acting against a cough in children ages 2-6. This remedy contains Wild Cherry Bark which will help to thin and dispel mucus. It contains Mullein Leaf which is the expectorant in this formula, and it contains Catnip which eases pain and relaxes muscle spasms. For an even greater effect mix Bronchia Calm with Fire Raw Apple Cider Vinegar for a sweet and spicy shot that will calm your cough and clear out sinus congestion.
8. Raw Honey and Tea
Honey is great for soothing and easing the symptoms of coughing. Honey is anti-microbial and anti-viral. Raw honey contains live enzymes and it’s an overall amazing superfood. A great way use honey is to add it to a warm liquid like tea. Drinking a warm liquid will help to soothe mucus membranes that are often irritated when you have a cough. Warm tea with honey is a classic remedy that you just can’t go wrong with.
This information is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advise. Not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure a disease. Always seek care from a qualified healthcare provider. Let us know if these remedies work for you or your children! What remedies do you and your family use for a cough? We love to hear from you.