My 2 1/2 Year Old Has Terrible Cough!

Updated on January 06, 2009
K.B. asks from Huntingdon, PA
14 answers

My 2 1/2 year old has this terrible wet cough and I can't seem to get him over it. I'm worried about Pneumonia or bronchitis. He coughs during the day but it gets worse when he's sleeping or in the car. It sounds wet and I've been watching him sleep and when he has to cough, he stops breathing for about 30 seconds until he can get the cough out and his face turns beet red. I am going to call the doctor in the morning but I was wondering if anyone could help me through the night. I know they say that coughing is the last part of the cold to come out. And I hope that's true, but it scares me to death when he stops breathing. Any help?

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So What Happened?

Thanks guys! I tried everything mentioned but I didn't have any vicks. I took him to the doctor and he put him on an antibiotic and a nebulizer.

I did call the ER doctor that night and he said that he thought he should have his lungs checked, but he wasn't too concerned. I'm not fond of that doctor, we've had our rounds before. My son does have a touch of bronchitis.

Featured Answers

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T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

Sitting with him in a steam filled bathroom will help a little. I usually blast the shower and sink on hot and shut the door. Best of luck to you!!

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M.P.

answers from Scranton on

Hello,
My mom gave me advice a few months ago, "Put VICKS on the bottom of your feet(with socks) while you are sleeping". I have to admit, I thought it was crazy, but tried it anyway. It worked like a charm. I used it for 3-4 days on my boys' feet, and they did not cough once while sleeping.
Good Luck!
M. P.

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S.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

No I wouldnt wait,I would have gone to the emergency room,but thats me. Prop the head up on pillows never lay him flat and if he is coughing the mucus it atleast trying to get out eventually it will come out. My daughter usually throws up a couple of times. It may be alot of things,for my daughter the cough was an ear infection. Antobiotics cleared it up. The stopped breathing I wouldnt mess around with take him in right away........I also use a nebulizer for when she starts coughing and it seems to break it up.
Make sure you always have vicks and motrin in the house for unexpected times.

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C.J.

answers from Harrisburg on

Is his room dry? Try putting a cool mist humidifer in his room. I have even had to somewhat close the heat vents, and let the mister on all night. Try putting vicks on his feet, then cover with socks(dont know why feet, but it is the best). I heard on here to do the feet, and I tried it....Oh my did it work. Now, I only do feet. I would make an appointment, and have them check for stridor...(inflamation of the lungs due to the heavy coughing), and antibiotics may be needed. Any cough that is a week long needs to be checked. I hope he gets a good nights rest soon. Cough free! I hope I helped.Let us know how it works out for you, and your son.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I think you need to have his lungs checked by the doctor asap. Do not let them give you the runaround...INSIST on an appointment!

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F.B.

answers from Harrisburg on

definitely take him to the doctor. You need to let the doctor determine the severity of the cough.

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M.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

Try the vicks on the chest and on the feet!!! We all forget how important reflexology is. FYI they do make baby/infant vicks, not as strong for sensitive skin. My son and I have been dealing with colds and this seems to work. Good luck and Hope you feel better soon.
M.

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K.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

Call the DOC on call. If he's stopping breathing for any reason, you should not wait until the AM! At the very least, call the nurse line. Our Ped has one that is 24 hours just for situations like this. I don't know why people feel embarassed to call the DOC if they are worried about a situation. That's why they have people on call! If the Dr. gives you a hardtime for calling, then get another doctor! But call!!!

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M.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi K.,

I have not tried this myself, but I've heard that Vicks Vapor Rub put on the bottom of the feet at night helps a cough. I told a friend of mine about it last year and she tried it for herself and she said it worked. I don't know about a two-year old, but you could experiment with just a little on his feet; also, you could google it and see if there are recommendations for putting it on the feet of children. Good luck. I know that coughing is terrible to hear at night.
-M.

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A.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Definitely get him to the doctor ASAP. It could be asthma. My son developed it at that age and it was a cough that wouldn't go away.

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D.T.

answers from Philadelphia on

Bless your heart. I know exactly what you are dealing with. I went through the same process before my now 7 year old was diagnosed with Asthma at the age of two. First they said it was Bronchitus. He had a cough that would not go away. Finally diagnosing him correctly once I switched pediatricians. I have to agree with the suggestion for sitting n the bathroom with him with only hot water running so he can breathe in the steam. He is so young that it is not much you can do but try home remedies. Whatever you do, do not give him any meds unless prescribed by a doctor. That is the best advice I can give you.

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D.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

have a cool mist humidifier in the room. elevate the side of the crib where his head is. another thing to do that helps is to rub vicks vapo rub on his feet and on his chest. definantly call the doctor and see if he needs any medicine. it is hard when they are little because they can not give them a lot of medicines.

D.S.

answers from Allentown on

Hi Kaylyn,

Take the baby to the pediatrician and get a cool mist vaporizer.

Good luck. D.

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D.V.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My 2 1/2 year old was coughing last night too. She just has a cold and is doing much better today. VICKS vapor rub worked!!!! I used the baby rub on her feet and almost immediately it stopped. It started up again a few hours later so I did it again and it stopped again!!! I have been using a humidifer also. My oldest did just have bronchitis and needed an antibiotic that cleared her up immediately.

I hope you get into the doctors quickly and hes better soon!!

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