Coughs in children: a complete guide for parents
Charlotte Thomas
Deputy Editorial DirectorThis page contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.
From common causes of coughs in children to how long a cough will last, how to treat your child's cough, and when to call the doctor … here's everything you need to know about coughs in children.
Coughs and colds are common in childhood and it's not unusual for kids to have multiple coughs a year.
Coughs might not sound nice, but they're the body's way of protecting the throat and chest and keeping the airways clear of irritants such as mucus and phlegm.
Coughs in children are usually nothing to worry about. Most coughs will go away on their own without treatment. However, there are some cases when you may need to see your GP or call 111.
Here are some of the common causes of coughs in childhood, how to treat a child's cough and when to seek medical help.
What type of cough does my child have?
There are two main types of cough, a wet cough and a dry cough. If you visit your GP or pharmacy they might ask if your child's cough is wet/chesty or dry. This will help them decide on treatment and work out what could be causing the cough.
Here's how to tell the difference between a wet or chesty cough and a dry or tickly cough:
Dry cough: A dry cough is sometimes known as a tickly cough. It contains no mucus or phlegm. A dry cough happens in response to an irritation, such as a sore throat.
Wet cough: A wet cough is sometimes known as a chesty cough or productive cough. With a wet cough, your child will cough up phlegm or mucus to clear their airways. This can happen when they have a respiratory tract infection such as a cold.
Common causes of coughs in children:
Some of the common causes of different types of coughs in kids are:
– hay fever, allergies, having something stuck in their throat Here are the symptoms to look out for in kids, how to treat different types of coughs, and how long they'll last.Common cold
According to the NHS, children can have eight or more colds a year! And a cold often comes with an accompanying cough.
Colds cause mucus to trickle down the back of your child's throat and coughing helps them clear it. Coughing also helps clear phlegm on the chest.
Coughs and cold symptoms in babies and children under the age of two may also be caused by the common viral infection Bronchiolitis.
What does a cough caused by a cold sound like?
In the first few days of a cold, your child's cough might be dry and tickly as their airways become inflamed and irritated by the infection.
This can then progress to a wet cough.
What are the symptoms of a cold in kids?
As well as a cough, your child may have a runny nose, a slight high temperature and rapid or noisy breathing.
How long do colds last in kids?
Most colds will get better on their own in around five to seven days, although it can take up to two weeks in younger children.
Treatment for a cold in kids
If you're caring for your child at home, make sure they have plenty of fluids and rest.
If your child is in pain, you can give them children's paracetamol (not suitable for children under two months) or children's ibuprofen (not suitable for children under three months) to help ease the symptoms.
You can buy liquid paracetamol for children here at Boots.
Saline nasal drops can help ease a blocked nose, these are readily available from pharmacies. Adult decongestant sprays aren't suitable for kids under six years.
Snufflebabe Nasal Drops are suitable from birth. See more details here at Boots.
Children over the age of six may be able to take over-the-counter cough or cold medicine. If in doubt, any pharmacist can advise you on the best product for your child.
You could also try giving them a warm drink of honey and lemon (honey is not suitable for children under the age of one as there is a small risk it could cause infant botulism).
When should I call the doctor about a child's cough or cold?
If your child's cough lasts longer than three weeks, see your GP. If they feel hot or shivery and have a very high temperature, their cough could be a sign of a chest infection so see your GP or call 111.
Croup
Croup is a virus that affects the airways of young children and babies and causes a barking cough.
What does a croup cough sound like?
Croup causes a barking cough. A croup cough is often described as sounding a bit like a seal.
What are the symptoms of croup in children?
Croup usually starts like a cold and your child may have a runny nose and cough. Croup symptoms come on after a few days and are often worse at night. These symptoms include difficulty breathing and a rasping sound, known as stridor, when breathing in.
How long does croup last?
Croup usually gets better on its own in around 48 hours.
Treatment for croup in babies
If your child has croup, you can help ease their symptoms by:
- Comforting them and making them feel safe if they're distressed – crying can make symptoms worse
- Making sure they have plenty of fluids
- Sitting upright can make it easier for kids with croup to breathe
The NHS says you should NOT give your child cough or cold medicines to treat croup or put them in a steamy room.
When should I call the doctor if I think my child has croup?
Call your GP or 111 if your child doesn't seem any better after 48 hours, their symptoms worsen or you're worried about them.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes and causes a very distinctive cough. It can be life threatening for babies under six months but is usually milder in older children.
Whooping cough vaccinations are given as part of your child's routine vaccinations at eight, 12 and 16 weeks, and again in their pre-school booster. However, cases have been rising in recent years.
What does whooping cough sound like ?
Children with whooping cough usually make a 'whoop' sound as they gasp for breath between coughs.
You can hear what whooping cough sounds like here.
What are the symptoms of whooping cough in children?
Whooping cough starts like a cold, so your child might have a runny nose and cough.
After a week or so, children with whooping cough have intense coughing bouts that last for a few minutes. The coughing is usually worse at night and kids often make a whooping sound between coughs.
They might also bring up a thick mucus that can make them vomit.
How long does whooping cough last?
The cough usually lasts between one and six weeks but can carry on for up to three months. Kids are contagious from about six days after the start of cold-like symptoms to three weeks after the coughing starts.
Treatment for whooping cough in children
Whooping cough needs to be treated by a doctor.
When should I call the doctor if I think my baby has whooping cough?
You should call your GP if your child has a very bad cough that's getting worse, or has been in contact with someone with whooping cough and has a weakened immune system. If your child is under six months and has symptoms see your GP or call 111 straightaway.
As whooping cough spreads very easily, the NHS recommends calling your GP first before visiting the surgery.
Asthma
If your child has a cough that doesn't go away or keeps coming back it could be a sign of asthma. A night-time or early morning cough is also common is also common in children with asthma and they often cough more after exercise.
What does an asthmatic cough sound like?
Asthmatic coughs can be wet or dry. Asthma UK suggests filming your child coughing so you can show your GP.
What are the symptoms of asthma in babies?
Although a persistent cough with no other symptoms could be a sign of asthma, many children will have additional symptoms including wheezing, breathlessness and a tight chest. If children have a tight chest, Asthma UK says they often describe it as 'tummy ache'.
Treatment for asthma in babies
If you think your child may have asthma, book an appointment with your GP to discuss treatment options. Asthma UK says it's hard to tell if a cough is caused by asthma in children under five so your GP may say your child has 'suspected asthma' until they're old enough to get a proper diagnosis.
Other causes of coughing in kids
Allergies
You child's cough could also be caused by an allergy such as hay fever, or a reaction to dust, pets or food. If your child has an allergy, they may have other symptoms such as sneezing, irritated eyes, a runny nose and wheezing. See your GP if you think your child could have an allergy; they'll help you work out what's causing it and prescribe any necessary treatment.
Foreign objects
A sudden coughing fit could be a sign of choking.
A persistent cough after a coughing fit could mean your child has something lodged in their throat that's been missed.
Here's how to deal with choking in children and babies.
Could my child's cough be coronavirus?
Children can get COVID-19, although they seem to get it less often and less severely than adults. One of the symptoms of coronavirus is a continuous cough. The NHS describes this as, 'coughing for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours'.
If you're worried that your child might have coronavirus, get a test as soon as possible. You can find out more about free NHS coronavirus testing here.
How can I ease my child's cough?
If your child has a cough, the following tips can help ease their symptoms:
- Make sure they're well hydrated and drink plenty of fluids.
- If the cough is caused by a virus, such as a cold, get everyone in your house to wash their hands regularly to stop it spreading.
- Children over the age of one can have a drink of warm lemon and honey. This can help soothe their throat if they can't stop coughing. Honey should not be give to babies under the age of one.
- Make sure no one smokes around your child.
- If your child is in pain you can give them children's paracetamol (for children over two months) or children's ibuprofen (for children over three months and 5kg) to help ease the symptoms.
Can I give my child cough medicine?
Babies and children under the age of six should not be given over-the-counter cough medicine unless you've been advised by your GP or pharmacist. This is because they can cause side effects like allergic reactions and disturbed sleep in young children.
If your child is over six, check with your pharmacist to find suitable medicines.
Avoid giving cough sweets to young children as there's a risk of choking.
When should I be concerned about my child's cough?
Although most children's coughs are nothing to worry about, you should call 999 or visit A&E immediately if:
- your child is struggling to breathe or has long pauses between breaths
- their skin or lips go grey or blue
- they're unusually quiet or still
- they suddenly get a very high temperature
- they suddenly get very ill
- their cough has lasted longer than three weeks or for months
Remember, you know your child best so, if you're at all worried about them, seek help.
Sources for more information on coughs in children:
Colds, coughs and ear infections in children (NHS)
Spotting symptoms of asthma in your child or baby (Asthma UK)
Coughs in babies: a complete guide for parents
Chat everything related to child health with other parents in our forum below …
Related stories
