6 Tips How to Stop a Toddler’s Cough
#1. Often times cough occurs when a child is sick because of mucus or phlegm build-up or other respiratory diseases like asthma. Coughing is the body’s way of eliminating extra mucus to allow air to flow into the lungs so that the child can breathe better. Lying down often worsens the cough because the mucus collects at the back of the throat.
#2. Fluids – Give your child plenty of liquids. These can include plain water either warm or tepid, clear soups or broth to help soothe the irritation and loosen mucus. In addition, a tablespoon of pure raw honey with one teaspoon of lemon juice added to a cup of warm water taken daily for children above 18 months old toddlers and older. (Medicine of the Prophet(pbh)-Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah page 408 of 653). “There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men.” (Quran Surah Al-Nahl 16/69) Please note, however, that honey should never be given to babies 18 months old and below as this can cause infant botulism which is deadly.
#3. Use an air humidifier or purifier in your child’s bedroom especially during sleeping time. This will eliminate dust and air ridden allergens. Vacuum clean your child’s room and the whole house every day. If possible, use a vacuum cleaner with “HEPA” filters that can filter in the tiniest microbes that ordinary vacuum cleaners can’t.
#4. Run a hot shower in the bathroom with the bathroom door shut so that the steam can fill the bathroom area. Sit in the bathroom with your child on your lap for approximately 10 minutes and entice your child to relax as he/she inhales the warm vapours. Note: you are not giving your child a shower. You are only to sit in the bathroom to inhale the steam. It is like going into a steam room. If your bathroom is not equipped with a hot shower, you can use a portable basin filled with hot water and let your child inhale the hot vapours. Remember, you must always be present and alert when handling any of these procedures with hot water to ensure that your child does not play with or be scalded by hot water.
#5. Black seed oil also has curing properties. Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A.) narrated: I heard Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W) saying, “There is healing in black cumin for all diseases except death.”
For cough, apply Black seed oil to the chest and back. Mix a teaspoon of Black seed oil in Boiling water and inhale the vapour twice a day. These are the two best remedies for children. This recommendation is difficult and is not recommended for children to take orally as the taste of black seed oil can be bile and bitter. Take half a teaspoon of Black seed Oil daily in the morning for adults.
#6. Another recommendation in the “Medicine of the Prophet” is the use of ginger and raisins.
Ginger is a natural decongestant and has been used to fight off throat and respiratory tract infections for a long time. The antiviral, antibacterial and expectorant properties present in ginger ease congestion in the throat and chest to help you breathe easier. Ginger is an effective ingredient that dissolves the phlegm. Sour ginger dries the phlegm that prevails in the body. However, ginger may be difficult for some children to take as the taste can be rather acrid and spicy.
Raisins can help in relieving cough, too. Take around 20 small raisins and eat this daily until cough is eliminated. Do not take water after it for up to 2 hours. This will greatly assist in relieving the cough. Existing phlegm will be excreted and its further production will cease. The amount of small raisins can be increased if necessary, but give smaller amount to children. This method can be used until cough is cured. Warning: Consult a doctor if there is blood in your child’s mucus. Do not give your toddler cough medicine without checking with a doctor first. Do not give cough drops to a toddler under the age of 3.
