Within the first year of a baby’s birth, their immune system is relatively fragile, and even a slight cold and fever may cause coughing. Due to the young age of the baby, they are unable to expel the phlegm in their throat on their own, which can lead to difficulty breathing, causing great anxiety for parents who are eager to know if their baby’s cough can self-heal. Here is some relevant information.
For mild coughs, the phlegm in the baby’s throat sometimes naturally improves. Parents can help move the phlegm by gently patting the baby’s back to alleviate discomfort. Additionally, increasing the baby’s water intake helps to dilute the phlegm and speed up the recovery process for coughing. However, if the cough symptoms are severe, self-healing alone may not be sufficient, and medical treatment with antibiotics or cough and phlegm medication may be necessary.
A condition known as congenital laryngeal stridor, most children will naturally recover around the age of 2 to 3, but during this time, preventing colds and avoiding fright are important to prevent respiratory diseases and aggravation of laryngeal spasms. In some cases, adjusting sleeping positions (such as lying on the side) can help alleviate symptoms, and a very small number of severe cases of laryngeal obstruction may require a tracheotomy. If acute laryngitis is accompanied, it may cause breathing difficulties and should be promptly treated properly.
Keep indoor air circulation, maintain appropriate temperature and humidity levels in the bedroom, with an ideal temperature of around 18℃ to 22℃ and humidity between 60% to 65%, which helps keep the baby’s airways moist, promote phlegm expulsion, and thereby alleviate coughing. Additionally, using steam in the bathroom is also a method that can help dilute phlegm and relieve coughing.
Parents should also encourage the baby to drink plenty of water, ensure adequate rest, and provide easily digestible light foods, all of which can improve the cough condition to some extent. Coughing is a progressive process, starting with a dry cough that may later turn into a productive cough. Proper care and patience are key during this process.
