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A coughing baby at 2 a.m. is heartbreaking (and exhausting!). Most nighttime coughs in babies come from a common cold, as mucus drips down the back of the throat. Colds usually get better on their own in about a week to 10 days, and there are safe ways to help your little one feel more comfortable in the meantime.
A quick note: I’m a mom, not a doctor. This post is general information, not medical advice. Please talk with your doctor before starting a new supplement or routine, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, have a health condition or take medication.
Call the doctor first if…
- Your baby is younger than 3 months and has a cough or a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
- Your baby is breathing fast or working hard to breathe (the skin pulls in between the ribs).
- You hear wheezing or a high-pitched sound when your baby breathes in.
- Your baby has fewer wet diapers, won’t eat, or seems very sleepy or hard to wake.
- The cough lasts more than 10 days, or a fever lasts more than 2 to 3 days.
- You think your baby may have swallowed something.
Call 911 if your baby’s lips or face look blue or gray, or your baby is struggling to breathe or can’t be woken.
Safe ways to ease the cough
- Saline and suction. A few saline nose drops, then gentle suction with a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator, clears mucus before sleep and feedings.
- Run a cool-mist humidifier in the nursery. Skip hot steam vaporizers, which can cause burns. Clean it often.
- Steamy bathroom time. Run a hot shower with the door closed and sit with your baby in the steamy room (not in the water) for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Offer plenty of fluids. Keep up breast milk or formula. Ask your pediatrician about small sips of water for babies over 6 months.
- Extra snuggles and rest. Comfort helps everyone sleep better.
What not to do
- Don’t raise the crib mattress or use wedges, pillows or positioners. Babies should always sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface with nothing else in the crib.
- Never give honey to a baby under 1 year; it can cause infant botulism. (For kids 1 and older, a little honey can soothe a nighttime cough.)
- Don’t use over-the-counter cough and cold medicines unless your child’s doctor says to. They aren’t recommended for young children.
- Don’t use regular vapor rubs on children under 2, and never put them in or under the nose.
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FAQ
How can I help my baby sleep with a cough?
Clear the nose with saline and suction, run a cool-mist humidifier, and keep your baby on their back on a flat crib mattress.
Can I elevate my baby’s crib mattress?
No. Safe sleep guidelines say babies should sleep flat on their backs, even with a cold.
When is a baby’s cough an emergency?
Call 911 for blue lips, severe trouble breathing, or if your baby can’t be woken.
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