Coughing is an unfortunate ailment that many children experience. Usually, it is a sign of an underlying condition such as a cold, flu, or allergies.

While coughing is generally benign and will subside in time, it can be bothersome and disruptive for both children and their parents. Standard treatments for coughing include over-the-counter medications, cough syrups and cough drops. However, if you’re seeking a different approach, there are unconventional treatments available to help your little one.

Here are some of the most effective unconventional treatments for young children’s cough:.

1. Honey and Lemon

Honey and lemon are great cough soothing agents. Honey’s antimicrobial properties help in relieving coughs, and lemon is high in vitamin C, which helps in boosting the immune system. Mix a teaspoonful of honey with a few drops of fresh lemon juice.

Give the mixture to your child two to three times a day for best results. This treatment is more effective for children over one year of age.

2. Essential Oils

Essential oils like Lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that help ease coughing and soothe the throat.

You can use a few drops of essential oil in a diffuser or mix it with a carrier oil like coconut oil and apply it topically on your child’s chest and back. Alternatively, you can also add a few drops of essential oil to a warm bath for your child to help alleviate cough symptoms.

3. Herbal Teas

Herbal teas like chamomile, mint, and ginger are natural remedies for cough and congestion. They have antibacterial properties, and their warm liquid is soothing to the throat.

Give your child lukewarm herbal tea two to three times a day for the soothing effect on cough. You can also add some honey to help sweeten the tea.

4. Salt Water Gargles

A saltwater gargle helps in easing a sore throat and loosening mucus. When the saltwater moves over the throat’s tissues, it reduces inflammation and removes irritants that cause coughing.

Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, and have your child gargle the solution for a minute before spitting it out. Repeat this treatment two to three times a day.

5. Vapor Rubs

Vapor rubs have been used for years to help relieve coughing and congestion. These topical ointments typically contain eucalyptus oil, menthol, and camphor – all of which help loosen mucus and ease coughing.

Apply a small amount of vapor rub to your child’s chest, neck, and back before bed to help relieve cough symptoms and aid restful sleep.

6. Zinc Supplements

Zinc has immune-boosting properties, helping to fight off viral infections that cause coughing. Zinc supplements help shorten the duration of the common cold by inhibiting the virus’s replication in the body.

Zinc supplements can be given orally or as a nasal spray. However, before administering the wet dose, please consult your physician.

7. Elevating the Head of the Bed

Elevating the head of the bed can help ease coughing symptoms in babies. This position reduces nasal drip and reduces the irritants that cause coughing. It helps the baby breathe easier and sleep more soundly, to help alleviate the symptoms of cough.

Placing a pillow under the baby’s mattress can make it easier to elevate the head of the bed.

8. Steam Inhalation

Steam inhalation is a powerful way to soothe sore throats and loosen mucus. To carry out them Steam inhalation treatment, place boiling water in a large bowl, and add a few drops of essential oil like eucalyptus or peppermint.

Lean your child over the bowl and have them inhale the steam with a towel over their heads. Be sure to keep your child at a safe distance from the hot water to avoid any accidents.

9. Warm Compresses

A warm compress helps in easing a sore throat and making it easier for your child to cough up mucus. Dip a clean cloth in warm water, and wring it out. Place the warm towel on your child’s chest or back to help alleviate cough symptoms.

Repeat this treatment several times a day or until the coughing subsides.

10. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a technique where needles are inserted into specific points in the body to stimulate and alleviate symptoms. Acupuncture may not be a conventional treatment for coughing in babies, but it has demonstrated a benefit in adults.

Acupuncturists are experienced professionals who can provide safe treatment for babies. If you want to try acupuncture for your child’s cough, consult an experienced acupuncturist.

The Bottom Line

The conventional treatments for coughs are more effective when combined with unconventional remedies, such as the ones mentioned above.

It is essential to try these remedies first before using medication or even consulting a physician to treat young children’s cough. It’s important to consult your child’s pediatrician before trying these remedies and to monitor your child’s progress to make sure the coughing is improving. It’s always better safe than sorry.