Cough treatment

for children under 2 years old

Is there anything you can give to a child under the age of 2 with a wicked cough that keeps him/her up all night?  All cough medicines seem to say not to give to kids under 2 (or even 4). Vicks vapor rub on the chest/feet doesn’t always work.

You can give honey to young children for the symptomatic treatments of coughs. I recommend a teaspoon of honey as needed for children 12 months and up. Prior to 12 months I do not recommend any medications or remedies for children with common colds.

A December 2007 study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine examined honey as a cough suppressant. They compared it head to head with dextromethophan (DM) the main ingredient in over the counter cough medicines. The authors ( Ian Paul MD et al ) concluded “In a comparison of honey, DM, and no treatment, parents rated honey most favorably for symptomatic relief of their child's nocturnal cough and sleep difficulty due to upper respiratory tract infection.”

This now famous study looked at the effect of “buckwheat” honey. I understand buckwheat honey to be a relatively dark honey. This has led many experts to recommend “darker honeys”.

If your son’s cough seems worse than usual it is best to take him to his doctor.

Written September 2011 by
Dr. Gordon, Orlando Pediatrician