Natural Cough Remedies for Toddlers

When the throat and airway is blocked, the reflex action of the body is to expel the irritants with cough. Toddlers, like adults, are prone to cough and often are irritated, as they find it difficult to have a peaceful sound sleep. Often leaving the humidifier running all the time also does not prove to be of great use. Different remedies like using rubs, placing a couple of pillows under the head of the toddler prove to be beneficial only for a small amount of time. This is when the home remedies come in handy.

How to Soothe a Toddler's Cough Without Medicine

When a child is coughing, the discomfort caused to the child is immense. It also makes the child cranky and he may not sleep all through the night. Often home cures give relief from cough and the child is not as cranky either.

Honey-Lemon Juice
Combine 1 to 2 teaspoon(s) of honey with the juice of half freshly squeezed lemon. Add this concoction to a glass of warm water and give the concoction to your toddler two to three times a day. If the taste of the drink is sour, then you may choose to add some more honey to it. However, this remedy should not be used for children below the age of 1.

Pineapple Juice
Most children love pineapple juice. Therefore, giving it to them when they are coughing is a double gift for them. Not only will they be relieved of the cough, but they will also enjoy the juice. However, ensure you give them juice that is at room temperature and is freshly made. Give them small sips of the juice, so that the enzyme bromelain will help to dissolve the mucus and eventually stop the cough.

Onion
One of the most effective natural remedy for cough is onion. Use chopped raw onion to make the concoction. Extract about 1 to 2 teaspoons of juice from the onion and mix it with 1 teaspoon of honey. Leave the concoction aside for a few hours and give it to the child twice to thrice a day. The other alternative is to add sugar to chopped onions and let it sit for a couple of hours. Drain the water from the onions and use the drained water as a remedy for cough.

Turmeric
Turmeric is a great remedy for all kinds of cold and cough problems. There are different ways in which it can be given to the child. Take half a teaspoon of turmeric and mix it with honey and give to the child two times a day. If your child does not like the taste of turmeric and refuses to eat the mixture, then you can mix one teaspoon of turmeric in warm milk and add honey or jaggery to it. Use this remedy twice a day as well.

Ginger
Most children do not like this remedy, but it proves to be beneficial in treating cough. Grate a tiny piece of ginger and add honey to it. Give the mixture to the child at regular intervals. It will soothe the throat. It is best to add a lot of honey to the ginger, so that it does not taste spicy.

Warm Water
When a toddler is suffering from cough, warm water should be given to the kid at regular intervals. It often helps in releasing the mucus and getting rid of the irritation in the throat. Do not forget to give the child warm water before he is going to bed, so that he sleeps well through the night.

When the child is suffering from cough, ensure that the room or the house is not too warm, as it can aggravate the condition. Also, it important that the child is well hydrated when suffering from cough. If the natural cough remedies for toddlers do not show their effect in a couple of days, it is best to consult a pediatrician.