Gina Johnson
There are many reasons why your 2-year-old might be coughing in their sleep. Coughing is common in toddlers and usually gets better in a few weeks. It can be caused by the common cold, allergies, asthma, or a sinus infection. Infections, such as the flu, can also cause coughing at night. If your child has a fever, it could be a sign of pneumonia, especially if they are weak and breathing fast. Whooping cough is another highly contagious respiratory disease that can cause coughing at night. Croup, which affects 3% of children between 6 months and 3 years, is also a common cause of coughing at night. If your child's cough is interfering with their sleep, you should consult a doctor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age | 2 years old |
| Time of cough | During sleep |
| Cause | Mucus from the nose and sinuses draining down the throat, allergies, asthma, acid reflux, infection, whooping cough, croup, pneumonia, foreign object in the throat, etc. |
| Treatment | Elevate the head of the bed, provide extra fluids, use a humidifier, nasal suction, honey, steam, acetaminophen or ibuprofen, cough medicine (for children over 6 years old), vaccination, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Allergies, asthma, and other illnesses
Asthma can also trigger nighttime coughs because the airways tend to be more sensitive and irritable at night. Asthma attacks can cause anxiety in some children, which worsens symptoms. If your child has asthma, make sure you have an asthma action plan from your doctor. The plan should help you choose the right asthma medicines to give. To calm your child's asthma cough, remove triggers such as strong odors, dust, or pet dander from their room. If possible, use air purifiers and allergen mattress and pillow covers to help remove allergens. Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature as temperature changes can trigger asthma symptoms.
Other illnesses that can cause coughing in sleep include the common cold, sinus infections, acid reflux, and pneumonia. When your child has a cold, the mucus from the nose and sinuses can drain down the throat and trigger a cough during sleep. Croup, which affects 3% of children aged between 6 months and 3 years, can also cause coughing in sleep. It is characterized by a barking cough that tends to worsen at night and is accompanied by swollen and inflamed windpipes and vocal cords.
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Home remedies
Night-time coughing in toddlers is usually caused by the common cold or a viral infection. In some cases, coughing can be a symptom of asthma, allergies, or a bacterial infection.
If your toddler is coughing in their sleep, here are some home remedies you can try:
- Elevate their sleeping position by propping them up with an extra pillow or two.
- Give them plenty of clear fluids, such as warm liquids like caffeine-free tea, broth, or hot water with lemon. This will help to loosen mucus and soothe their throat.
- For children over 12 months, a teaspoon of honey can help combat coughing and soothe their throat.
- If your child is over 6 or 7 years old, they can gargle with a mixture of half a teaspoon of salt and a glass of warm water. This will help relieve a sore throat and reduce mucus and congestion.
- If your child has a fever, you can give them acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Always check with your doctor for the correct dosage.
- Try a warm shower or bath before bed to help alleviate coughing. Make sure to keep them company and never leave them unattended.
- If your child has a barking or croupy cough, turn on the hot water in the shower and close the door so that the room steams up. Then sit with your child in the steam for about 20 minutes.
- A cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom might help them sleep. However, this is not recommended for children with croup.
- Keep your child appropriately dressed and take them outdoors for brief exposure to cool air for 10-15 minutes, which may relieve the cough.
- Ensure your child gets plenty of rest.
If your child's cough lasts for more than a month, schedule a visit with your doctor. Additionally, contact your doctor immediately if your child is coughing up blood, has difficulty breathing, or exhibits any other concerning symptoms.
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When to call a doctor
If your child is coughing and has trouble breathing or is working hard to breathe, call your doctor. If your child suddenly starts coughing, it may mean they have swallowed something the wrong way, and you should also call your doctor.
If your child has a cough with a fever, it could be a sign of a common cold, but a fever of 102°F (39°C) or higher could be a sign of pneumonia, so call your doctor right away. If your child has a fever, you can give them acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce it, but always check with your doctor for the correct dosage.
If your child has a persistent cough that lasts for 2–3 weeks, you should discuss this with your doctor. Coughs caused by colds can last for several weeks, and asthma, allergies, or a chronic infection in the sinuses or breathing passages might also be responsible for long-term coughs. If your child's cough lasts for more than a month, schedule a visit with your doctor.
If your child has a barking cough, it could be croup, which is very common in children under 3 years old. Croup can occur suddenly in the middle of the night and is caused by swelling in the upper airway. If you suspect your child has croup, call your doctor.
If your child has a whooping cough, you should also call your doctor. Whooping cough is an infection of the airways and is very dangerous and even fatal in infants. If your child has received the whooping cough vaccine, their risk of developing the condition is much lower.
If your child is coughing and vomiting, it may be due to an asthma flare-up or a cold, but if the vomiting doesn't stop, you should call your doctor.
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Croup and whooping cough
Croup is a highly contagious respiratory infection that affects young children, especially those between 6 months and 3 years old. It is characterised by a distinctive barking cough, which tends to worsen at night. Croup is usually caused by a viral infection, most often the parainfluenza virus. It can be spread through respiratory droplets or by touching contaminated surfaces. Croup symptoms include a barking cough, hoarse voice, noisy or laboured breathing, and a runny nose or congestion. Most cases of croup are mild and can be treated at home with a single dose of oral steroids, but severe cases may require emergency medical attention.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is another highly contagious respiratory infection that can affect people of all ages. It is characterised by severe coughing fits followed by a high-pitched "whooping" sound when gasping for breath. Whooping cough is caused by bacteria and is most severe in infants under 1 year old who have not received the pertussis vaccine (DTaP). The infection usually lasts for 3 to 4 weeks and can be prevented through vaccination.
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Prevention
If your 2-year-old is coughing in their sleep, there are several things you can do to help prevent this. Firstly, identify the cause of the coughing. Common causes include the common cold, allergies, asthma, or a sinus infection. If your child has a fever, it may be a sign of an infection such as pneumonia or a middle ear infection. In this case, consult a doctor.
If your child has a cold, ensure they get plenty of rest and clear fluids. Give them a warm bath or shower before bed, and elevate their sleeping position to help prevent coughing. You can also try a teaspoon of honey before bed to coat the throat and suppress coughing reflexes. However, do not give honey to children under one year old.
If your child has allergies, consult a pediatrician or allergist to identify the allergen and determine the best treatment. If your child has asthma, make sure you have an asthma action plan from your doctor and follow the recommended treatment.
To help relieve congestion, you can use a cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom. Ensure your child is well-hydrated, but avoid carbonated or citrus drinks as these can irritate the throat. You can also try nasal suction with a bulb syringe or a baby nasal aspirator to help clear nasal passages and reduce post-nasal drip, which can trigger coughing.
Finally, keep your child away from potential irritants such as air fresheners, pets, or smoke, which can make coughing worse.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many reasons why your 2-year-old might be coughing in her sleep. The most common reasons are respiratory infections, allergies, and asthma. Other reasons could be post-nasal drip, acid reflux, or excess mucus.
Here are some ways to help relieve your 2-year-old's cough:
- Give them plenty of fluids to keep them hydrated.
- Elevate their sleeping position slightly to help with congestion.
- Use a humidifier in their room.
- Try nasal suctioning with a bulb syringe to help clear nasal passages and airways.
- Give them a warm bath before bed.
If your 2-year-old's cough lasts for more than three weeks, or if they are also experiencing other symptoms such as a fever or difficulty breathing, you should take them to the doctor.
There are four distinct types of coughs: dry, wet, croup, and whooping. A dry cough is usually associated with asthma, while a wet cough is often caused by infections or allergies. Croup is a type of cough that tends to worsen at night and is accompanied by cold-like symptoms. Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can be prevented by vaccination.
