Listening to your child cough all day and tossing and turning all night can be awful for a parent to hear. It can also be terrible for your child. Loss of sleep, lack of concentration, poor appetite, and irritability can all accompany that cough, which makes for a few awful days for your child and for you as well. Easing your child's cough is important, but you may not know how. Read on for some tips to ease your child's cough and make him more comfortable.

Prop Your Child Up

The cough may be due to mucous draining down the back of the throat from a sinus issue. If this is the case, try to give your child an extra pillow (for older children), or place a pillow or two beneath the mattress (for younger children) to prop your child up a bit. This will help with the drainage. 

Use A Humidifier

Using a humidifier helps clear up mucus which can be causing that cough. Use a humidifier in your child's room near their bed such as on a dresser or nightstand. The cool mist will help your child when sleeping at night. If you have a whole house humidifier, you can run this to help.

Use Steam

Steam can help clear out nasal cavities in your child. For smaller children, you can use a vaporizer, or run a hot bath or shower and place your child in the room with the steam (not in the hot bath/shower). For older children, you can boil water and then have your child breathe in the steam. Keep your child's face and hands away from the water itself, but just close enough to get the benefits of the steam.

Use Vapor-Rub

A vapor rub such as Vicks can be used on your child to clear up sinuses. Rub the vapor rub on your child's feet rather than on their chest. They will still get the benefit of the vapor without being too overwhelming. Rub the vapor on your child's feet, then put socks on to prevent the vapor rub from wiping off on the bedding.

Skip Milk

Milk may be causing more mucus for your child, so skip out on the milk and give your child more water. Water will help thin the mucus and aid with drainage. If your child is younger (six months or younger), talk to your pediatrician before giving water.

If your child has a persistent cough and if after trying these tips isn't getting any better, take your child to the pediatrician for an exam and checkup. For more information, contact a company like Better Family Care.