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Baby & Toddler Care September 20, 2023

Toddler Coughing at Night? Try These Effective Remedies

Do you ever become worried if you witness your toddler coughing while they are sleeping? Even while it’s usual for kids to cough occasionally, it may be extremely upsetting when it keeps them up at night and makes you worry about their well-being. To reduce your concerns and guarantee the safety of your child, let’s look at some practical insights.

This can be caused by various factors starting from colds and allergies to serious respiratory issues. As a parent or caretaker, knowing how to respond to your kid’s needs is necessary for their well-being and comfort. This can help relieve their sufferings and ensure good health too.

In this article, we will look at what you can do if your toddler is coughing at night.

Common Triggers for Toddlers Coughing at Night

Numerous conditions such as upper respiratory infections, post nasal drip, allergies, asthma, GRED, croup, pneumonia, foreign object aspiration, environmental irritants, and teething might cause toddlers to cough at night.

In case the cough lingers or gets worse, keep an eye out for any accompanying symptoms and seek medical help. For an accurate diagnosis and treatment, seek the advice of a medical expert.

How to Address Toddler’s Night time Coughing

1. Stay Calm & Observe Their Behavior

The severity and nature of a toddler’s cough can be determined by observing the toddler’s behavior while they are coughing at night. This information may help you identify the cause and whether medical assistance is required. Try to resist the urge to run to your kids when you hear them coughing at night. Instead, wait a bit to see whether the coughing stops on its own. To avoid interfering with their normal coughing patterns, remain close by while being quiet and vigilant.

Observe how frequently your child coughs at night. Is it irregular, sporadic, or regular? Make a mental note of intervals between each cough and count how many times it occurs. Pay close attention to the sound of the cough. Is the sound barking, dry and hacking, or wet and phlegmy? The type of cough might determine the likely cause.

Check to discover if there are any known causes of the cough. Do they have any worsening symptoms, for instance, when your child lies down or is exposed to certain allergens like dust or pet dander? A fever, wheezing, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, or any other comorbid symptoms should also be kept watch out for. You should also be alert for any changes in behavior or sleep patterns.

2. Create a Comfortable Sleep Environment

If your toddler coughs at night, you need to make sure to provide them with a cozy sleeping environment. They can feel more comfortable and get more rest, which is crucial for their recovery in a calm and comfortable sleeping environment. Wondering how to create that one? Here you go! Inflammation in the throat and airways, as well as coughing, can be made worse by dry air. If your toddler’s room needs more moisture, then think about utilizing a cool mist humidifier. This may ease their respiratory tracts and lessen coughing. Make a moderate inclination by raising the head of your toddler’s mattress.

In addition to easing coughing that could get worse when resting flat, this elevation can assist in lessening the postnasal drip. The recommended room temperature is from 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure proper ventilation, you can open a window or utilize a fan. To create a gloomy bedroom, use blackout curtains or blinds. Melatonin, a hormone that promotes deeper, more restful sleep, is produced by the body in response to darkness. Last but not least, don’t forget to give your toddler soft and cozy bedding.

4.Elevate the Head of The Bed

Toddlers who cough at night may benefit from having the head of the bed elevated, particularly if postnasal drip and congestion are the cause of the cough or make it worse. The head of the bed can be raised to create a moderate inclination that can assist in lessening coughing and mucus backflow by preventing it from accumulating in the throat. Excess mucus can build up in the nasal passages in children who have runny or stuffy noses as a result of colds and allergies.

While your kids are sleeping, this mucus may trickle down the back of your throat, producing irritation and coughing. Elevating the head can help stop this flow and keep the mucus from getting to the throat. For toddlers with mild congestion or respiratory problems, sleeping on an inclined surface might make it easier to breathe. Particularly if the cough is brought on by nasal or chest congestion, it widens the airways, which makes breathing easier for them.

5. Monitor for Other Symptoms

The typical cold, the flu, respiratory infections, allergies, asthma, and even more serious disorders can all manifest as coughing in toddlers. Medical practitioners can make a more accurate diagnosis by keeping track of other symptoms. Other symptoms’ presence and intensity can give clues as to how serious the underlying illness is. Some symptoms might need to be treated by the doctor right away, while others might be treated at home. Possibly you might be wondering about how to monitor these symptoms. For this, you can begin by recording the frequency, length, and severity of the toddler’s cough in a journal.

When your toddler is coughing at night, you should also note any additional symptoms such as fever, runny nose, sore throat, breathing problems, wheezing, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. In both the resting and coughing states, pay close attention to the toddler’s respiration. A severe respiratory condition may be indicated by rapid or difficult breathing. If the toddler feels warm on the touch, take regular body temperature readings.

Because with respiratory infections, fever is common. Seek medical attention if the toddler exhibits any unusual signs of irritability, exhaustion, or withdrawal. Make sure the toddler’s bedroom is tidy and devoid of any allergens that can exacerbate their symptoms.

6. Provide Plenty of Fluids

For various reasons, it is crucial to give a toddler who is coughing at night lots of water. Increased fluid loss and dehydration can result from coughing, especially when it’s coupled with other symptoms like fever and lung congestion. Water intake should be sufficient to promote a toddler’s general recovery while also easing symptoms and avoiding problems. Warm liquids, including herbal teas or water, can help calm or moisturize sore airways. Warm liquids help ease the throat discomfort and dryness brought on by coughing. They also have a mildly soothing effect.

Drinking enough fluids keeps the respiratory tract wet, which facilitates the toddler’s ability to release mucus. Coughing may be reduced as a result, and respiratory infections may heal more quickly. Dehydration brought by insufficient fluid intake might increase the symptoms and make the toddler feel worse during illness. In addition to electrolyte imbalances and weekend immunological response, dehydration can cause further problems.

There are plenty of other options that you can try at home that the healthcare experts suggest to keep the toddler’s coughing at night under check and provide them relieve for the same.

7. Avoid Irritants

For a toddler who is coughing at night, avoiding irritants is essential for controlling their symptoms and hastening recovery. Several things can bring on toddler coughing, and being around hassles can make it worse, making it harder to fall asleep and causing more discomfort. A child’s coughing can be relieved, sleep quality can be enhanced, and the healing process can be supported by reducing the presence of irritants in the child’s environment.

Typical irritants include dust, pollen, pet dander, strong odors, tobacco smoke, and some cleaning chemicals. You can aid in lowering the frequency and severity of the toddler’s coughing bouts by removing or reducing exposure to certain irritants. The airways might become inflamed or irritated at the time of cough, which makes them more vulnerable to allergens. The child’s cough may get worse when they are exposed to irritants like smoke, creating a cycle of greater irritability and increased coughing. Eliminating irritants calms the airways and promotes appropriate healing. The toddler’s sleep may be disturbed by nighttime coughing, which can cause agitation and exhaustion. Lastly, creating a pleasant sleeping environment will also help your toddlers recover fast.

8. Consult a Healthcare Professional

It’s crucial to seek medical advice if the toddler coughs at night. This behavior can indicate several underlying illnesses, some of which may need treatment. Even though the occasional cough can be considered normal, chronic or severe coughing, especially at night, maybe a sign of more serious problems. Here are some instances where it would be appropriate to consult a doctor regarding the toddler’s coughing at night. It may be a symptom of the problem if the toddler’s cough lasts for more than a few days or gets worse over time.

Numerous illnesses, including respiratory infections, allergies, asthma, and even more serious ones, can result in chronic cough. Note that if your toddler is breathing laboriously or rapidly, this could indicate a more serious respiratory condition that needs to be treated immediately. When the cough is present at a high temperature (over 102℉ or 39℃), you may have a viral or bacterial infection that needs to be examined and treated by a doctor. Medical treatment is required to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance if the toddler’s coughing is followed by symptoms of dehydration, including decreased urine production, dry mouth, or lethargy.

Summing It Up

All in all, managing a toddler’s nightly coughing can be difficult for parents, but it is manageable with appropriate strategy and information. It is important to keep in mind that while the odd cough is natural, continuous or severe coughing at night may point to a problem that needs to be addressed.

Note that better sleep and speedy recovery can be encouraged by providing a clean, allergen-free sleeping environment. Consider the individuality of each child while controlling your toddler’s coughing at night because what might work for one may not work for another. Have some patience, and believe in your gut. Generally, toddlers recover from cough and respiratory infections with the right care and attention and then resume their happy selves.

Always put your child’s comfort and well-being first and don’t hesitate or step back to seek medical help if necessary.

Baby & Toddler Care September 20, 2023

What to Do Immediately If Your Baby Fell off the Bed

Don’t you think having a baby is a joyful experience? Because baby brings a sense of joy and excitement to everyone around them. But at the same time, when these curious little explorers achieve the milestone of walking around or start rolling, there is a possibility they may fall off the bed.

It is not uncommon for babies to fall off the bed or risk falling on the floor despite all your efforts. One of the common situations that every new parent faces is the fear of a baby falling off the bed.

In this blog, we will highlight the right course of action if the baby falls off the bed. We will also be covering the signs of concern and what remedy you can use at home to pacify the kid in case they encounters an incident like this.

The Primary Course of Action if The Baby Fell Off the Bed

As per the US Center for Disease Control, head fall is one of the common reasons for nonfatal injuries in kids.

One of the biggest dilemmas parents have is understanding the intensity of the injury, especially when the infants and kids cannot talk.

While the injury that a baby incurs doesn’t need to be always fatal, you cannot brush it under the carpet. As a vigilant parent, you should know the signs that can be dangerous for the baby and what should be your next move, in case the injury is worrisome.

In the next segment, we will be focussing on these aspects.

1. Stay Calm

The first thing is to stay calm and not panic. A sudden outburst of emotion can negatively impact the baby and may make the little one cry more.

So stay calm and try to alleviate the kids. Simultaneously, you should also check their skull for any sign of injury. Allow the baby to rest for some time.

Use an ice pack if you notice any swelling. Try to divert the baby’s mind by taking them out in the garden or shifting their attention to their toys. This will give you time to closely examine the baby and notice any sign of injury.

2. Judge the Fall

Once you have pacified the baby, your next move should be to check the height from which the baby has fallen. It will help you identify whether or not the fatal injury is probable.

A 3- 5ft fall can be dangerous, especially when the baby is less than 2 years of age. This situation can be alarming if the baby has fallen onto a hard surface.

You should be closely looking at the baby. At the same time, you should also check for signs of injury in the baby.

Check their head and other parts of the body. You may need to see a doctor if you notice any swelling signs.

3. Check the Baby

As we have mentioned above, you should check the baby for the probable sign of injury. You should call the doctor if you notice any of the following signs:

Baby is vomiting post-injury
Blood or fluid excretion from the nose or ears
Baby is unconscious
Baby is having a seizure
Dent or swelling on the head

Make sure you do not ignore these signs, especially if the baby has seizures or doesn’t gain consciousness.

4. Does the Baby Have Broken Bones

We hope you never encounter any such situation as a parent, but preparedness is the only way to ensure your baby’s well-being.

Knowing the signs of danger will help you take the right action at the right time, thus ensuring the complete safety of your baby. Here are the signs that your little one may have a broken bone after having a fall:

Swelling
Trouble in moving the limb
Paleness
Pain when you touch the limb

If you notice this in your baby, you should not ignore it and immediately seek the doctor’s assistance.

Ignoring the pain may lead to increased inflammation and sometimes fever.

5. Signs of Concussion

If the baby has fallen on its head, it may lead to a concussion. This may be a minor injury, but sometimes it can be a major issue. Hence, the experts advise you to check on a few signs related to the concussion that might indicate that your baby might have suffered.

Hence, here are a few signs that you should check for concussion-like:

The baby was unconscious for sometime
Vomiting
Baby is crying more than usual
Mood swings

The concussion might alleviate in some time, or it may take a few weeks based on the intensity of the injury.

The Probable Signs of Injury when The Baby Falls Off the Bed

Type of Injury	Description
Bumps or Bruises	Discoloration of the skin, signs of a wound on the skin
Fracture	Broken limbs or collarbones
Cuts	Scrapes or small cuts if the baby falls on sharp objects
Head Injury	Concussion, bumps or swelling, or redness on the head
Soft tissue injury	Sprain in the muscles or ligaments
Internal Injury	Sometimes you may not see the physical sign of injury, but there can be an internal injury, like damage to the internal organ in case of a severe fall.
Dislocation	Joint dislocation, especially around elbows or shoulder
Emotional Distress	The kid may show signs of anxiety and excessive fear.

These are common signs of injury, but they are not limited to this. Based on the intensity of the fall or height of the fall, the injury may vary.

Hence, it is important to keep a close check on the baby when it falls, look for alarming signs like the one mentioned above, and seek medical attention if required.

In addition, it is also important to take necessary preventive measures to ensure the complete safety of the kids.

Effective Ways to Prevent Baby to Fall Off the Bed

1. Use Bed Rails

One of the safety measures that, as a parent, you mistake is to use bed rails. Once the kids start rolling, they are prone to falling off the bed.

Installing bed rails or choosing a bed of a lower height can prevent such a mess from happening.

Obviously, we cannot ignore the factor of timely Vigilance and regular check on the baby while they are sleeping.

Best Bed Rails for Child’s Safety

2. A Safe Co-Sleeping Space

If you prefer to sleeping with your baby, it is important to create a safer space for the little one.

Make sure they have ample area to move around, and their bed should be placed so that it is not too high from the ground.

Also, you should prevent the baby from sleeping on the edge. Adding cushions and soft pillows around the baby is another potential way to prevent falls.

Make sure that the baby’s bed is placed against the wall. This will create a barrier and prevent the fall while the baby sleeps.

3. Invest in a Good Quality Baby Sleeping Bag

Yet another effective way of ensuring the complete safety of your kids is to use the best quality sleeping bag.

The size of the sleeping bag should not be too small or too big. It must be apt and should be as per your baby’s age. Also, make sure that the sleeping bag is secure and hypoallergic.

Top Recommended Sleeping Bags for Your Babies

4. Supervise the Baby

Regularly checking babies’ movement is imperative, especially when they have recently learned to crawl, walk, or have started rolling on the bed. Since the little ones cannot talk and communicate, regular checks on their movement can prevent any mishap.

5. Transition to Toddler Bed Safely

If you think that the baby is ready to shift from the clips or a basin, it’s to a toddler bed, and you should invest in the right kind of toddler bed.

They must be of a lower height, and adding bedrails around them or securing them with pillows is important. This will prevent any probability of falls or injury to the baby.

Best Options to Choose Your Toddler Beds From

6. Do Not Leave the Baby Unattended

You must always keep a check on the movement of the baby. Do not leave them and attend for long.

Even if you are engaged in some work, make sure that you keep a regular check on the baby. Even if they are sleeping, you must ensure the area is safe and secure.

7. Create a Safe Play Area

It would be best if you always focused on creating a safe play area for your kids while playing.

Sharp objects or toys can lead to injuries. Moreover, you should also invest in anti-skid rugs and maths to prevent any falls or accidents while the baby is moving around.

8. Keep the Bed Clean

When putting the baby to sleep, you should ensure that the bed is clean; it should not have any toys or other small objects that can probably lead to some injury.

Also, make sure that the quality of the bed sheet is good; it must be soothing and provide complete comfort to the little one while they are sleeping.

Wrapping It Up

All in all, to prevent such accidents in the future, it is imperative to secure the place where the baby is sleeping or flame.

This brief discussion is on the key steps a parent must take if their baby falls off a bed.

Ignoring the Warning signs like the one mentioned above can hurt the overall development and health of the baby.

Head injury can be fatal and may show its effect after a few years as well. in case the baby has fallen off a bed or has encountered an injury.

Vigilance and childproofing the surroundings are the keys to minimizing the risk of falsehood.

Moreover, a parent it should ensure a safe environment for the little one to grow and explore without getting injured.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do if The Baby Falls Off the Bed?

If the baby falls off the bed, the first thing that you should do is check the baby and pacify them. The little one might get terrified and cry incessantly.

Hence, your first move should be to calm down the little one and check for the science of injury if you know any visible signs like swelling or redness of an Inflammation.

If the injury doesn’t subsidize within a few hours or a day, you should see medical advice.

If My Baby Falls Off the Bed While Sleeping, Should I Wake the Baby?

If the baby has fallen off the bed while sleeping but appears to be found, you can allow the baby to sleep.

However, you must keep a close chat if there is any injury. If you notice any probable sign of wound, swelling, or redness and the baby has vomited, you should immediately seek medical attention.

What Are the Signs that Show Immediate Medical Attention When The Baby Falls?

When the baby falls off the bed, and you notice That the baby is unconscious or if the baby throws, if you notice that the baby is irritated or is continuously crying, it is a sign that the injury might be serious. It would be best if you spoke to your doctor immediately.

How Can I Prevent My Baby from Falling Off the Bed?

As a parent, you may be highly vigilant when it comes to the safety of your kids. Despite this, sometimes the baby may fall off the bed or may enjoy themselves while playing.

For example, you must use soft pillows beside the bed and secure the spot where the baby sleeps. Consider using batteries or a safe crib or bassinet for babies.

What Is the Right Age to Transition a Baby from Crib to a Toddler Bed?

One of the dilemmas that parents often face is the right time to transition a baby from the gripped to a toddler bed.

Firstly, a toddler bread especially designed for kids to ensure a safe sleeping space. If you are also planning to do the same, you can transition a baby from a crib to a toddler bed between 18 months and 3 years.