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Vidaurri, PharmD, BCOP and Charlotte Lillis — Updated on June 30, 2022Many cough medicines are not safe or suitable for toddlers. Instead, parents and caregivers can use gentle home remedies to help relieve cough symptoms. In toddlers who are 1–3 years old, having a cough can cause discomfort, sleepless nights, and missed activities. Most children experience a cough at some point, and parents and caregivers may not know how to safely treat their symptoms. However, gentle home remedies can help. This article outlines some common causes of cough in children. It also lists three effective home remedies for coughs in toddlers and offers advice on when to seek medical care for them. Common causes of cough in children Share on PinterestCavan Images/Getty ImagesThere are two main types of cough: dry and wet. Dry coughs usually arise due to irritation in the upper airways, such as the throat and sinuses. Wet coughs are typically the result of irritation and associated mucus buildup in the lower airways within the lungs. Coughs generally have four classifications:Cough typeCommon causesStridor, a high-pitched whistling during inhalationCroup, which refers to infection and swelling of the upper airways, including the voice box and windpipe. WheezingAsthma, a condition that involves swelling and narrowing of the airways. Symptoms typically include wheezing and a dry cough. Choking followed by a dry cough or cold symptomsA foreign body blocking the airways. A choking episode followed by a persistent dry cough may indicate the presence of a foreign body in the airways.Wet coughViral infections, which are more common in the winter months.Cigarette smoke, air pollution, and other irritants may produce a wet cough year-round. Irritants may trigger the gag reflex, which can result in vomiting. Over-the-counter OTC medications for cough in children The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend OTC cough and cold medications for children below the age of 2 years. This is due to the risk of potentially life threatening side effects. Most manufacturers provide warnings not to use their cough and cold products on children under 4 years of age. OTC cough medications may be especially harmful to children if they:take too much of the medicationtake the medication too oftentake other medications with the same active ingredientstake medications containing codeine, as this drug can cause respiratory distress and other serious adverse events The FDA also notes that such medications will not change the natural course of a cold or affect its duration. For these reasons, they recommend people turn to home remedies to alleviate cough in infants and children. Why use home remedies Aside from the fact that OTC cough medications can cause adverse events in children, there is inconclusive evidence regarding their usefulness. A 2017 review investigated the safety and efficacy of medical and nonmedical interventions for cough relating to the common cold. The review concluded that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that taking cough medications reduces the severity or duration of a cough. According to the FDA, home remedies are likely to be a safer and more effective method for alleviating cough symptoms in children. Below are some home remedies for cough in toddlers. However, not all these options are safe for young children. Therefore, caregivers should always check with a healthcare professional before administering home remedies to a child. Honey A 2018 review notes that honey has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. All of these may alleviate cough symptoms. However, honey and products containing honey are not suitable for children under 12 months of age. This is due to the risk of a serious and potentially life threatening condition called infant botulism. However, they are suitable for older toddlers to relieve cough symptoms. Another 2018 study compared the effects of honey with other treatments, including medications, cough suppressants, a placebo, and no treatment. It found that the substance was more effective in relieving cough symptoms than diphenhydramine and no treatment. It was also similarly effective to dextromethorphan. With regard to shortening the duration of cough symptoms, honey appeared more effective than both placebo and salbutamol. The authors concluded that there was no strong evidence for or against using honey to treat cough. Although OTC cough products can cause serious side effects, children older than 1 year tend to tolerate honey well. However, in rare cases, honey can cause stomachache, nausea, or vomiting. Liquids and humidity Caregivers should try to ensure that children remain hydrated since water helps thin mucus in the airways, making it easier and less painful to cough up. A cool mist humidifier also helps moisten the airways and loosen mucus secretions. However, the FDA warns against using warm mist humidifiers as these can cause swelling of the nasal passages, which may worsen breathing difficulties. Keeping a cool mist humidifier in the toddler’s room may be a simple and noninvasive method to help ease their cough symptoms. When to contact a doctor Caregivers should speak with a doctor if the child displays any of the following symptoms:nonstop coughing episodeschest pain that persists when not coughingearache or ear drainagesinus painrecurrent fever, or fever that persists for more than 3 days When to seek immediate care Caregivers should seek immediate medical attention for a child who displays any of the following symptoms of breathing difficulty:difficulty breathing when not coughingpulling in of the ribs when breathing inwheezing or a harsh sound when breathingblue discoloration of the lips or face during coughingsevere chest pain Caregivers should call emergency services right away if a child displays signs of severe respiratory distress, such as:severe breathing difficultyblue discoloration of the face or lips when not coughingunconsciousness, or absence of breathing Summary Many experts do not recommend OTC cough and cold medicines to treat cough in toddlers and young children due to the risk of serious adverse effects. The FDA recommends home remedies to help alleviate cough in children. Caregivers can consider options, such as honey for infants over the age of 12 months. Fluids and humidifiers may be a suitable remedy for children of all ages. Caregivers should seek medical attention for a child who displays persistent or worsening cough or other concerning symptoms. Last medically reviewed on June 30, 2022RespiratoryPediatrics / Children's HealthPharmacy / Pharmacist 7 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Cough. (2022).https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/cough/Hederae helicis folium. (2018).https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/hederae-helicis-foliumKruttschnitt, E., et al. (2020). Assessment of the efficacy and safety of ivy leaf (Hedera helix) cough syrup compared with acetylcysteine in adults and children with acute bronchitis.https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2020/1910656/Malesker, M. A., et al. (2017). Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment for acute cough associated with the common cold: CHEST expert panel report.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6026258/Oduwole, O. et al. (2018). Honey for acute cough in children.https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5/fullPrevention. (2021).https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/prevention.htmlShould you give kids medicines for coughs and colds? (2021).https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/should-you-give-kids-medicine-coughs-and-coldsFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M.D. — By Vincent A. Vidaurri, PharmD, BCOP and Charlotte Lillis — Updated on June 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat are the health benefits of raw honey?Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.D. Raw honey is honey taken straight from the beehive. It may offer more health benefits than regular honey. 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