Parents often head straight to the drug store to buy their child a medicine when they get a cough or cold. But do know that treading a younger baby of lesser than 6 months old with any medications could be dangerous? We have got some great home remedies for a cough in babies that you must try as they are natural and do not have any side effects of it.
Changing weather could trigger cold and cough in your newborn easily. The newborns are still in the process of developing their immune system and are considered to be very delicate. And to lead your baby to a stronger immune system and be lesser dependent on medicines, we have got some home remedies for up to 6 months babies.
During the initial few months, kids are more prone to cough and cold. Babies cough could take about 7 to 10 days to cure but taking good care of them at this time is important. The babies during cough or cold could turn to be more cranky and irritated. Coughing in babies could also affect their sleep pattern and could lead them into terrible conditions. Parents are bound to be worried here but you must not rush to a doctor for a common cold. Until the issue is very critical, even the doctors advise avoiding medicines to the newborn. Using the home remedies strengthen the baby’s immunity and prepare them to fight it better.
Home Remedies for Cough in Babies:
1. Breast Milk:
Believe it or not, breast milk is the best home remedy for almost curing each and every disease in an infant. This not only cures the diseases but also helps the infant to build immunity sooner and stronger. You might see the issue of the baby not latching properly during cough or cold. But do not worry and try to offer breast milk as much as possible. Instead of looking for medicines outside, you have a medicinal power in the mother’s breast milk which much is offered and the problem is solved. One of the best baby cough remedies for 6 months old or lesser.
2. Squirt the Breast Milk in Nose:
This might sound weird, but we have not known the power of breast milk yet. A few drops of the mother’s breast milk into their nose helps the child cure from cold faster.
3. Garlic and Carom seed Fumes:
Garlic has a lot of medicinal value in it and it has powerful anti-bacterial properties. Carom seeds also work great to kill the virus and bacteria. The combination of the above two can be pretty powerful and acts as a strong weapon to kill the virus and work against cold and congestion.
It is very simple to put together- take 2 or 3 big garlic cloves and add a tablespoon of carom seeds on a pan and dry roast it for a few minutes. Let it cool for a while and then once done, you need to put it in a cloth and make a pouch of it. Use any clean and dry muslin cloth, a handkerchief works best here. Place this pouch near your baby cradle or cot where the baby sleeps. (Do not put it very close to the baby to risk it from putting it in the mouth and choke) The smoke emanating from this combination of garlic and carom seeds would help the baby to open the blocked nose and provide relief from any congestion. This pouch under the kid’s feet as well as effective. These acts as a baby cough remedies for 3-month-old even or lesser.
4. Mustard oil infused with carom oil and Garlic Massage:
The garlic and carom as we already told you, has an excellent medicinal value. Thus infusing it in ¼ cup of warm mustard oil works wonders. Chop the garlic or crush them lightly and then add them to the mustard oil and heat together. The oil needs to be just heated and not burnt. The garlic turns brown in it and then you must remove the oil. Use this oil to massage the baby’s feet and chest. Cover the feet with socks once done. Similarly, adding carom seeds to the mustard oil and heating it until the seeds turn just brown, do not let it burn.
Mustard oil has a warming effect on the body and with the garlic and carom having anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties; it helps to release the congestion giving your baby a much-needed relief. This is one of the best baby cough remedies 4-month-old or elder.
5. Nasal Aspirator:
The nasal aspirators for the baby are efficient in relieving the baby’s stuffy nose. You can check online for a trusted brand and use one for quick relief.
6. Vicks Baby Rub:
You could help your baby release the chest congestion and cough by using Vicks baby rub. The child could be very cranky and unable to sleep well. The baby needs a sound sleep to get well sooner. To lead it through a peaceful night, you could use a Vicks baby rub on the feet and cover them with cotton socks or woolen depending on the weather. This is baby cough remedies 5-month-old or above.
The Vicks allows the airway to open up and breaks the mucus letting the baby sleep at night.
7. Holy Basil and Coconut oil Massage:
The holy basil which is one of the sacred plants in Hindu tradition in Indian culture has anti-viral and antibiotic properties that help to cure the disease like a cough and cold or fever and throat ache, congestion, flu etc. This is one of the widely used ingredients in most of the home remedies.
These act great for younger babies where you could add the basil leaf in coconut oil and give a massage to your child. Coconut oil is organic product and keeps the baby’s skin as well tender and moisturized. By mixing it with holy basil, it absorbs the healing properties and gives relief to the baby from cough and cold.
8. Light Steam:
While the whole blockage and congestion irritates the baby most, it is important to lessen it and bring some relief to the young one. Inhaling light steam can help clearing the blockage however, you must be very cautious while doing this. Hold your baby in your lap and keep the steamer near you. The baby gets enough steam this way and is comfortable. It helps in clearing the airway and chest congestion. You can also use the bathroom as the baby’s steam room by turning on the hot water tap and keep the doors closed. Let the baby sit in the steam for 10-15 minutes and relax. If the baby does not like the steam, then a room humidifier should do the job or vaporizer in the sleeping area. This keeps the baby’s room moist, helping it to breathe and sleep better.
9. Saffron:
While we spoke of many baby cough remedies, one of the best home remedies for cough is saffron. Saffron is a stimulant tonic which could help treat cold, congestion, fever and cough. Adults add this to the milk but for infants, the saffron paste can be applied on their forehead and it helps in relieving cold. Saffron acts as excellent natural remedies for babies cough and cures blocked chest and congestion. Apply the paste on baby’s chest, under feet, forehead or throat and see them sleeping peacefully. You can do this every day until he baby is relieved from cold or congestion.
10. Keep the Baby’s Head Elevated:
The cold does not let your baby sleep peacefully leading to worsening up their health. Chest congestion and airway blockage leads to irritation and crankiness. Thus, a pillow or cushion under the baby’s mattress, such that their head is elevated while they try to sleep helps. Do not directly add a pillow under the neck, place it beneath the mattress. This helps them minimize the discomfort and release blocked nose to rest and sleep.
Are wondering if it is normal for a baby to cough? The answer is yes, coughing is common. But don’t worry; relax; now you know how to treat a baby cough easily at home with the products available at home.
