Cough in an infant

Any symptoms and signs of the disease of nursing babies should alert the mother. Serious reasons to consult a doctor include a cough in an infant who may indicate the development of many unpleasant illnesses.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

Causes of coughing in an infant

Coughing in an infant may be caused by a number of reasons that can be recognized if you closely watch the baby. Of course, it will be better if the child's doctor helps you in this.

1. Catarrhal disease is the most frequent cause of coughing in an infant. The baby first coughs only occasionally, but soon the cough becomes more intense, especially in the second half of the day. On examination, you can find reddened neck. Breast children, due to still weak immune defenses and an imperfect system of thermoregulation, are prone to colds. Therefore, "catching" a draft or an infection at this age is easy. The mother's task in this case is to find out the problem in time and contact the doctor, otherwise the disease can be delayed.
2. Inflammatory processes in the upper parts of the respiratory system - this can be a runny nose, pharyngitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, caused by a bacterial infection. During the common cold, mucus discharge can get into the trachea, which can cause a cough in the baby. In other cases, coughing can be caused by narrowing of the airways (as a result of inflammation), which is manifested firstly by a dry persistent cough, which in the future can develop into rales, whistles and breathing disorders. Of course, you should not wait for the deterioration of the condition: you should immediately consult a doctor.
3. A low degree of humidity in the room is a very common cause of coughing in a child. Excessively dry air causes drying of the mucous membrane of the baby's neck, which provokes first the appearance of a scratching ("scratching") of the throat, and then, as a consequence, a cough.
4. Otitis is an inflammatory process in the middle ear, the presence of which causes the appearance of a reflex cough. How to determine this state? Push a little on the ear of the baby: if it causes a sharp cry or crying, it means that the child has an earache. Call a doctor.
5. Getting into the respiratory tract of a foreign object - unfortunately, too often a frequent situation that requires immediate medical attention, otherwise the baby can suffocate. If the child starts to cough sharply and strongly, with an anguish, "breezes" - it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance. Trying to extract a foreign body from the trachea on its own - the occupation is very dangerous and often only worsens the situation.
6. Intolerance to smells, unwellness of the room - these are the reasons that not only can cause a cough in an infant, but also serve as an impetus to the appearance of bronchial asthma. This state of the baby can develop if it is often in a smoke-filled room, or in the air there are constantly other abnormal and unpleasant smells for the child. In such situations, an improvement in the condition of the baby after ventilating the room is noted.

All these are the most common causes of coughing in an infant. Less often, cough may be associated with diseases of the digestive and heart, but such pathologies can only be determined by a doctor after a thorough examination of the baby.

[6], [7],

Strong cough in an infant

The appearance of a severe cough can be triggered by the influence of some damaging factor on the mucous membrane of the respiratory system. This may be an infection, or other causes. As a rule, a strong cough in an infant indicates that the baby is "interfered" in the respiratory tract - it can be excessively dry mucous, foreign objects (crumbs, animal hair, toys, etc.), phlegm and mucus, accumulating in the trachea. As a result, a strong cough occurs, the main purpose of which is to eliminate the obstruction to normal breathing, to clear the respiratory tract.

A strong cough is dangerous for the baby. In case of its occurrence the doctor's help is obligatory. Emergency medical assistance is required in such situations:

• if a strong cough appeared suddenly and does not stop;
• if a strong cough is accompanied by wheezing;
• if a severe cough occurs at night as an attack;
• if the background of a strong cough is allocated sputum pink or green.

Also, fear should cause a severe cough that does not go away for a long time, or occurs against a background of increased body temperature or difficulty breathing.

Wet cough in an infant

In a healthy state, a wet cough in an infant may appear immediately after the baby has woken up. If the child was sleeping on his back, mucous discharge from the nose could get into his neck. In this situation, the baby can slightly cough, but this cough ceases, if you turn it on the barrel. The same condition develops when a lot of saliva or breast milk gets into the neck: the child simply does not know how to swallow properly and in time.

If we consider moist cough as a manifestation of the disease, then the most common pathologies in this case may be:

• infections of the upper respiratory organs (which are accompanied by the formation of sputum);
• inflammatory process in the bronchi with violation of the patency of the respiratory tract (obstructive bronchitis);
• pneumonia;
• diseases of allergic origin (bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis);
• abscess of the lung;
• tuberculosis.

If a wet cough indicates the onset of the disease in the baby, mandatory medical attention will be required.

Dry cough in an infant

It should be noted that a dry cough in an infant is most painful for a small patient, as with a dry cough traumatization of the mucosa occurs, which causes the baby pain and extremely unpleasant sensations.

How can I tell if my cough is dry? As a rule, such a cough is loud, sharp, without characteristic "gurgling" sounds. It is possible to "whistle" and barking sound when coughing. The child often cries, while the voice of the baby can change due to loss of the larynx and vocal cords. With the progression of the inflammatory process, the ligaments can swell and cease to pass properly the air, which will cause the child to suffocate.

As a rule, a sick child with a dry cough becomes capricious, sluggish, his appetite disappears. In such a situation, it is important not just to call a doctor: it should be done as soon as possible. Moreover, dry cough can be a terrible symptom of beginning bronchitis or pneumonia, as complications of acute respiratory infections or ARI. If the doctor suspects such diseases, then the baby, most likely, together with his mother will be sent to the hospital.

[8], [9]

Breastfeed: cough and runny nose

The main cause of cough and cold in an infant is a cold, or ARI is mostly a viral disease that primarily affects the respiratory tract. The disease can also affect the middle ear, lungs, and in severe cases - the meninges and the bone system.

Catarrhal disease a baby can "pick up" from a family member who is sick with ARI, or is a carrier of the disease, and also by means of dirty hands and means leaving for the child. An important role is played by the immunity of the baby: inadequate nutrition, hypothermia, drafts - all this can adversely affect the baby's health.

What symptoms of a cold can be demonstrated by a baby: cough and runny nose, high fever, lack of appetite, lethargy, possibly upset of the chair, constant crying and regurgitation of food.

In uncomplicated course of the cold, the disease can regress on the 4th-5th day: the body temperature is normalized, and signs of the inflammatory process are weakened. If the condition has not improved, then it is possible to suspect the attachment of a microbial infection. In such a situation, the doctor's intervention is simply necessary. Sometimes you have to connect antibiotic therapy.

[10], [11], [12]

Breastfeeding for children from coughing

The question of the use of nursing fees in young children is quite controversial. Most doctors do not recommend giving such decoctions to children, at least to children under 1 year, as plant components can cause an allergic reaction or even poisoning in a young child.

If you still decide to use any of the 4 existing nursing fees, adhere to the following rules:

• do not start treatment without consulting a doctor;
• start treatment using a very dilute broth at the beginning to check the reaction of the baby to the medicine. If a negative reaction of the child is not observed, you can move to a more concentrated broth;
• the total daily volume of decoction from breastfeeding for an infant is not more than 30-50 ml.

Remember: breastfeeding can become the culprit of some side effects, such as rashes on the skin, itching, allergic rhinitis, symptoms of poisoning.

Coughing in an infant should in any case be a signal to call a doctor: the newborn baby is too weak to cope with the disease on its own. A timely doctor's help will never be superfluous: often it helps to prevent dangerous complications and consequences.

[13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19]

Treatment of cough in infants

If we are dealing with a slight cough due to an irritated mucous throat, then medicamental cough treatment in infants can not be carried out. This irritation is eliminated by increasing the humidity in the room, with a warm drink (including breast milk).

If there is an inflammatory process in the trachea or bronchial tubes, warm, mineral non-carbonated water (30 to 50 ml / day) can be added as a warm drink.

To facilitate the allocation of sputum should periodically turn the baby, do not limit it to active movements, do a light massage of the chest. To carry out the massage the baby is laid on the stomach and gently tap on the back of the fingers with the pads on the ascending line.

With the consent of the doctor, expectorants like Lazolvan or Gedelix can be used, the dose of which is determined by the doctor depending on the weight and age of the baby.

Of the anti-inflammatory drugs, Erespal enjoys a good reputation.

Thermal procedures for infants should not be carried out in any case. Such procedures include hot baths, mustard plasters, cans, warming plasters, etc. Rubbing and warm compresses are also not welcome, although their use is possible if the attending doctor is not against the pediatrician. The fact is that rubbing and compresses can in some cases worsen a child's condition, increasing blood circulation and thus aggravating the swelling and inflammatory response in the respiratory system. Moreover, the use of drugs with eucalyptus, menthol or coniferous oils can provoke bronchospasm in the baby, or cause an allergic reaction.

Than to treat a cough to a baby?

The doctor will prescribe medications for coughing the infant to the baby: we'll talk about them below. And what if a baby's parents can make a cough to ease his condition?

• Call a doctor, regardless of whether the child has a fever.
• Maintain the optimum moisture level in the apartment, especially in the winter, when the air in the room is certainly dry. The best degree of humidity for a child to feel good is 50-60%. The ideal device for achieving the optimum humidity level will be an air humidifier. However, if it is not, then you can do with improvised means. For example, it is possible to place on a battery a container of water, or put on a battery of water-soaked towels. You can use a spray gun and treat the room with clean water several times a day.
• Provide fresh air to the apartment: ventilate the room, at least in the morning after waking up, in the afternoon before feeding and at night.
• To provide activity and mobility of the child, to conduct to him easy gymnastics, massage.
• Often offer a baby to drink, especially at elevated temperatures.
• Despite the common cold, it is necessary to go out for walks (dressing the baby according to the weather, so that he does not overcool and does not overheat). Winter walks should be short-lived.

Medicamental treatment of the baby will tell you the treating pediatrician.

A cough medicine for a baby

• Propane is an expectorant based on an extract from ivy leaves. It helps to soften the bronchial secretions, relieve spasm of the bronchi. Propane can be used both from birth and from older children, starting from 2.5 ml three times a day.
• Ascoril - an expectorant in the form of a syrup, promotes the removal of bronchial secretions. Use 2-3 ml of syrup three times a day.
• Lazolvan syrup - stimulates the release of mucus from the respiratory tract, reduces the appearance of cough. Children under 2 years of age use 7.5 mg of syrup (2.5 ml) twice a day.
• Ambroxol (syrup and solution for injection) is a drug that stabilizes the secretory activity of the bronchi and prevents airway obstruction. Assign 2.5 ml of syrup twice a day, or in the form of IM injections of ½ ampoules twice a day.
• Ambrobe is a mucolytic drug used in the form of a syrup (twice a day for 2.5 ml) or injections (half an ampoule twice a day).
• Stodal - homeopathic herbal preparation, expectorant and bronchodilator, which does not have age-related contraindications. Use up to 5 ml of syrup for every 8 hours.

Do not use medications for children on your own, first consult a doctor

Not always a drug marked "baby" can be used to treat infants.

[20], [21]