My infant granddaughter has a hacking cough. I have heard that Karo syrup works well, but I do not know how much to give, any suggestions?
By geronimo from Salina, KS
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It is such a bad idea to give anything to an infant without checking with his/her doctor, you could do more harm than good. Call the doctor!
A hacking cough could mean many things. An obstruction, asthma or even pneumonia. This child needs to see a doctor.
Please call the doctor. It is better to be safe and know for sure what is wrong.
Take her to the Dr. ASAP!
Do not panic that is the first thing we did, however, there has to be something to help sooth the cough. We obviously can not give her honey, so what is the alternative?
There is a pertussis (whooping cough) epidemic right now. Get her to a doctor.
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I have a 12 month old child. He has a bad cough and it is worse at night. We believe that he has asthma, but his coughing has never been this bad. Is there anything out there that I can give him that would help that does not contain honey?
Robert from Pinetta, FL
Have your home checked for mold, young children can be very sensitive to it. If that's not the problem, maybe your home is too airtight. A humidifier might help. (01/23/2008)
By joan pecsek
You might try putting Vicks rub on the soles of his feet before sending him to bed. Place socks on after you treat his feet. This is an old time remedy, but I've never tried it myself. I don't know the reasons why it might work, but if you search for alternative uses for Vicks, you can probably find several home remedies. At the least, it probably won't hurt. Best of luck. (01/23/2008)
By Karen
Try one half teaspoon of corn syrup or even pancake syrup. You could squeeze a little lemon juice into it also. (01/23/2008)
After viewing this website, I found it very informative and this might help your child.
childhealthguide.com (01/23/2008)
By Myrna
Plain old Vick's Vaporub. We are all sick since my youngest came down with RSV Bronchiolitis. My mother-in-law suggested rubbing our chests and back (feet too, even) with the stuff. I wasn't sure what to think because we usually make fun of her for her "witch-doctor" remedies. However, I was tired of feeling sick and congested and thought why not try it. So, last night I put it on all 3 of us and within 30 minutes I could finally breathe! So, I guess the stuff does work after all. The box it came in indicates that it is good for coughs. There are also Vick's Waterless Vaporizers that you can buy for $20 too if you want to do that at night or you could try a humidifier in the room if you think the heater is making the air too dry for your child. Good luck. (01/23/2008)
By Darlene
Oh, it's me again. I just wanted to add that there is a Vick's Baby Rub, so look for that. Also, I had asked our pediatrician what he thought and he didn't have a problem with it. Secondly, if you really feel like it is asthma, your doctor can send you home with a nebulizer machine (ours did). You can also remove all stuffed animals, down pillows, etc. (01/23/2008)
By Darlene
Asthma can be triggered by allergies. Please take your child to a doctor. I have asthma, and it can be truly dangerous. (01/23/2008)
By Wendy
I also agree that it is probably asthma. I have two kids that are asthmatic and both do not "wheeze", they cough! One we know for sure that his asthma is caused by allergies and therefore he is on daily maintenance drugs for his asthma and allergies. The other is still a bit young (3) and we only treat an episode with a nebulizer.
Try to remove "allergens" like stuffed animals, carpet, pillows, etc. When you do wash these things, do so with the "hottest" water the fabric can take. I read a recent study that showed that Vick's is nothing more than a "head" cure, it doesn't really do anything, but make you think you are feeling better. Steam is always helpful so if things get really bad, go into the bathroom, close the door and turn on the shower with steaming hot water. The steam can help open the airways! Go see the doc though, if it is asthma, you will want to make sure you have a documented history with the doc before deciding on a course of action! Good luck! (01/24/2008)
By imama2many
If you believe your baby has asthma, you should have it checked by a doctor. Asthma can be fatal.
I wouldn't use any Vicks product on a baby. I find that Vicks burns my sensitive skin.
BTW, if your baby has asthma, Vicks won't help. Nothing will help except an inhaler from the doctor. (01/24/2008)
By Carol in PA
When I lived in New Jersey, my children always had a perpetual cough. Here is what I suggest: firstly, definitely bath your child with Johnson's Vapor Bath Baby Wash. It will help in loosening his cough. Secondly, I am a huge fan of Vick's Vapor Rub. I see many have posted this advice as well. Rub the Vapor Rub all around the neck and on the chest. Thirdly, I recommend using the Triaminic Vapor Patch (menthol scent) during the day. I would NOT attach this directly to the child's skin, but would place it on an undershirt. By using a combo of all three methods, my children managed to survive the cold season of the north.
(01/24/2008)
By Mom-of-Two
If your child has asthma, you must vacuum every day or at least every other to keep the dust to a minimum. As others have said, take him to a doctor to be safe. (01/25/2008)
My daughter has severe cough variant asthma and we are not allowed to use anything OTC (even Vicks) on her. The only thing we can use is Delsym cough medicine at night. There is an ingredient in all other cough meds that should not be given to children with asthma. Also, it can only be given at night because asthmatics need to cough some to loosen the mucus in the airways. She is also on a strict regimen of inhaled steroids, allergy meds, decongestants, and a bronchiodilator every day. Albuterol is added when she has a flare up and some times oral steroids.
I hope this helps, but please get a physician's diagnosis also. (01/26/2008)
By Gabrielle
1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, add more honey if needed. This works for all ages for older children and adding 1 teaspoon whiskey or brandy instead of vinegar works a treat. (12/13/2008)
By Debbie
My daughter just turned 12 months old. She has been coughing to the point of throwing up every night after we put her to bed. I've been using Baby Vicks on her chest, back and bottoms of her feet with socks of course and now she doesn't cough anymore. It's worth the try! Just make sure you wipe it off the next morning. (09/07/2010)
