Very young babies have weakened immunity especially in the first few days of their life when they are still adjusting and coping with their environments. This is the time when they become vulnerable to cough and flu.
It can be quite overwhelming to see a small, hapless infant crying through a bout of cough. Most doctors do not recommend medication for babies as young as this. In such cases it is better and wiser to ease the baby’s cough with soothing home remedies which will help them sleep better and have no potential side effects.
Home Remedies For Infant Cough
Garlic With Mustard Oil
Take some fresh garlic cloves and heat them in mustard oil. Once the oil is sufficiently hot, massage this oil on your baby’s chest and back area. The garlic fights off the infection and the mustard gives heat to the chest and the neck thus relieving the baby of cough.
Carom Seeds and Basil
Use some holy basil leaves and carom seeds to help your baby overcome cough especially if your baby has cough with phlegm. Soak some carom seeds with water and keep this overnight. In the morning heat the water along with some basil leaves. Now give a few sips of this water to your baby at regular intervals. This will help to ease his/her cough.
Ginger and Honey
Crush or grate some ginger or make it into a paste. Add a teaspoon of honey to sweeten this. Take very little on your fingernails and make your baby lick this mixture throughout the day. This will immediately subside the cough. Continue with this remedy for a few days.
Milk With Turmeric
For slightly older babies, milk with a pinch of turmeric can be given to the baby. Heat the milk and just add a pinch of turmeric to the milk. Now give the milk to your baby. You can also add a bit of honey or sugar to the milk to make the taste more palatable.
Lots of Rest
A coughing infant may find it difficult to sleep. Try to minimize all possible distractions like loud noise and bright light. Keep the room cozy as too cold an environment can exacerbate the cough. Rock and soothe the child to sleep. You can do all of these after giving the child milk.
Steam
You cannot give a baby direct steam from a vessel but try this simple trick. Put on the shower in your bathroom at its hottest temperature and let the steam build up. Now stand in the moist and steamy shower along with your baby for a few minutes. This helps to clear the baby’s air and nasal passages and may give relief from a severe cough.
Keep the Baby Hydrated
Make sure you keep the baby hydrated by giving him/her plenty of fluids. This can be in the form of breast milk, water or formula milk.
It is better to not give very small infants soups and cow’s milk as their tummies are still very immature and cannot tolerate adult food. Fluids keep the throat moist and irritation free.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.