Babies are prone to various diseases, and one of them is coughing up phlegm. Although not a worrying condition, coughing up phlegm can make babies feel uncomfortable and cranky. Therefore, parents need to understand how to properly handle cough with phlegm in babies.
Viral and bacterial infections are the main causes of cough with phlegm that is often experienced by babies. Some examples of infectious diseases that can attack the baby's respiratory tract are whooping cough, cough croup, bronchiolitis and pneumonia. In addition to infection, coughing up phlegm in babies can also be caused by several conditions, such as asthma, allergies, respiratory tract irritation, increased stomach acid, exposure to pollution such as cigarette smoke, or from swallowing certain objects.
Efforts to Clean the Lungs and Throat
Coughing is a natural reflex of the body to clear the respiratory tract of mucus, dust, or food debris that is still stuck in the throat. Cough itself can be divided into two types, namely dry cough and cough with phlegm.
A dry cough is the body's attempt to relieve the itching in the baby's throat. Meanwhile, coughing up phlegm is the body's attempt to expel mucus from the lungs and throat. This condition often occurs if the baby has a runny nose or mucus flows from the nose to the throat (postnasal drip).
Not infrequently, cough in infants is accompanied by fever, sore throat, loss of appetite, stuffy nose, and red eyes, which makes babies fussy.
Various waysRelieves Cough with phlegm On Baby
Although phlegm or mucus contains white blood cells that function to help fight germs, if a baby's coughing phlegm is allowed to continue, then the phlegm will collect in the baby's throat so that it interferes with his breathing. Therefore, parents need to know how to relieve cough in babies. The method is as follows:
- Increase your baby's fluid intakeWhen the baby has a cough with phlegm, you should provide adequate fluid intake. This step is to thin the phlegm and to help the baby's body fight off the infection that causes coughing up phlegm.
- Enough restBabies who are sick will easily become fussy and find it difficult to rest. If you have this, the baby will be suffering from coughing up phlegm longer. Therefore, try to get the baby to get enough rest, so that his body condition is strong enough to fight the infection that causes coughing up phlegm.
- Humidify the surrounding airIn addition to the two methods above, you can relieve coughing up phlegm in babies by humidifying the air around them. This method is believed to be able to reduce mucus in the throat and help your little one breathe.
- Keep baby from pollutionWhen the baby is coughing, it is important to keep him away from pollution, such as cigarette smoke or dirty air. This is to prevent irritation and coughing from getting worse, and to help your little one rest well.
Keep in mind, avoid giving over-the-counter drugs without a doctor's prescription. In addition, avoid giving honey to babies under one year old to relieve coughs. This is to avoid the possibility of the baby experiencing botulism.
Although you don't have to worry too much about coughing up phlegm in babies, be careful if the phlegm starts to turn green, yellow, or brown with an odor. Colored and smelly phlegm can indicate an infection and require immediate medical attention.
In addition, consult a pediatrician if the baby's cough with phlegm does not improve after five days, the cough gets worse, difficulty breathing, there is wheezing, the cough makes it difficult for the baby to eat and drink, or is accompanied by a fever of 38 degrees Celsius for infants under the age of three. months, and 39 degrees Celsius for infants under 6 months of age.
There is no need to overreact to a cough with phlegm in babies, but still monitor the condition so that you can quickly take the necessary handling steps.