Evie Summers
If your 3-month-old baby is coughing in their sleep, it could be due to a variety of reasons. Coughing is the body's way of protecting itself and clearing the airways of mucus, phlegm, or postnasal drip. Infections, the common cold, asthma, acid reflux, allergies, or a sinus infection could be causing your baby to cough. If your baby is coughing terribly in the winter, it could be a dangerous viral infection such as the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Other reasons could be whooping cough, COVID-19, or bronchiolitis. If your baby's cough is interfering with their sleep, you should consult a doctor.
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What You'll Learn
- Coughing could be a symptom of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a dangerous infection for infants
- Asthma can trigger nighttime coughing as airways are more sensitive at night
- Postnasal drip—when mucus from the nose drains down the throat—can cause coughing during sleep
- Croup is characterised by a barking cough that tends to worsen at night
- A cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom might help with sleep and reduce coughing
Coughing could be a symptom of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a dangerous infection for infants
Coughing is one of the ways in which babies protect themselves. Coughing helps keep their airways clear and clears the throat of phlegm, postnasal drip, or a lodged piece of food. However, coughing in babies younger than 4 months is considered serious and could be a symptom of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a dangerous infection for infants. RSV is a viral illness that causes trouble breathing and is the most common cause of inflammation of the small airways in the lungs (bronchiolitis) and pneumonia in babies.
RSV usually triggers a simple cold in kids older than 3, but it can penetrate the lungs of infants and be potentially life-threatening. RSV is very contagious and spreads easily from person to person through respiratory droplets. When kids with RSV cough or sneeze, the droplets can spread up to several feet away, and if another person comes in contact with these droplets, there is a good chance they will get sick. RSV can also spread if a child touches a contaminated surface and then touches their eyes, mouth, or nose.
The early phase of RSV in babies and young children is often mild, like a cold. However, in children younger than age 3, the illness may move into the lungs and cause coughing and wheezing. In some children, the infection turns into a severe respiratory disease that requires hospitalisation. RSV is most common in the fall and winter and usually occurs in yearly outbreaks in communities, classrooms, and childcare centres.
If you suspect your child has RSV, you should contact your healthcare provider. Treatment for RSV may include extra oxygen through a mask, nasal prongs, or an oxygen tent. In some cases, a child may need to be put on a ventilator to help with breathing.
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Asthma can trigger nighttime coughing as airways are more sensitive at night
A 3-month-old baby coughing in their sleep is a serious matter. It could be a sign of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a dangerous viral infection for infants. RSV usually triggers a simple cold in kids older than 3, but it can penetrate the lungs of infants and can be potentially life-threatening. If your baby is coughing terribly in the winter, it could be a sign of RSV.
Bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, is another possible cause of coughing in infants. The vast majority of bronchiolitis cases in babies under 1 are caused by RSV.
Whooping cough can also happen at any age but is most severe in infants under 1 year old who did not get the pertussis vaccine. It is very contagious, so all kids should get the pertussis shot at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 months, and 4–6 years of age.
Asthma can also trigger nighttime coughing as airways are more sensitive at night. Nocturnal asthma, or nighttime asthma, can be severe and disruptive to sleep. It can also make managing asthma more difficult. The exact reason why asthma is worse at night is not known, but there are several factors that can make asthma attacks at night more likely.
During sleep, the airways tend to narrow, which may cause increased airflow resistance. This may trigger nighttime coughing, which can cause more tightening of the airways. Increased drainage from your sinuses can also trigger asthma in highly sensitive airways.
Breathing colder air at night or sleeping in an air-conditioned bedroom may also cause loss of heat from the airways. Airway cooling and moisture loss are important triggers of exercise-induced asthma and are also implicated in nighttime asthma.
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Postnasal drip—when mucus from the nose drains down the throat—can cause coughing during sleep
Coughing is one of the ways in which a baby's body protects itself. A baby's cough works to keep their airways clear and to clear the throat of phlegm, postnasal drip (nasal mucus that drips down the back of the throat), or a lodged piece of food.
Postnasal drip (PND) in children occurs when excess mucus runs down the back of the throat. Glands in the lining of the nose produce mucus to trap viruses and bacteria and protect the body. This mucus typically runs out of the nose or down the back of the throat and often goes unnoticed. When large amounts of excess mucus run down the back of the throat, it is referred to as postnasal drip.
Postnasal drip can be caused by a number of factors, including sinus infections, viral infections, and irritants in the air such as fumes or dust. It is also commonly caused by allergies (allergic rhinitis). Allergic rhinitis occurs when the immune system over-responds to specific particles with a protein structure often found in pollen, mold, plants, animal hair, dust mites, insect venom, food, and chemicals. During an allergic reaction, antibodies attach to mast cells in the skin, lungs, and mucous membranes, causing the release of histamine. Histamine opens the blood vessels and causes swollen membranes, leading to sneezing, congestion, and postnasal drip.
Postnasal drip can cause a tickling or itching sensation in the throat, which can trigger a dry cough, especially at night. This can lead to throat irritation and a sore throat. In addition, postnasal drip can cause congestion and sputum formation in the throat, as well as nausea and loss of appetite. In some cases, the mucus fluid can block the middle ear and throat, leading to ear infections and other complications.
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Croup is characterised by a barking cough that tends to worsen at night
Coughing is common in babies, and it is usually the body's way of protecting itself. A baby's cough works to keep their airways clear and can also be triggered by postnasal drip or a lodged piece of food. However, it can sometimes be challenging to determine when a baby's cough warrants immediate medical attention. If your 3-month-old is coughing in her sleep, it could be a sign of croup, a highly contagious respiratory infection that affects babies and young children.
Croup is characterised by a distinctive barking cough that tends to worsen at night. This condition is especially common during the fall and winter months. The infection causes swelling around the voice box, windpipe, and bronchial tubes, resulting in a narrowed airway that produces a noise resembling a seal barking when the child coughs. Croup can also cause high-pitched, noisy, or laboured breathing, known as stridor.
The symptoms of croup can vary in severity, ranging from mild to severe cases. Most cases of croup are mild and can be treated at home. Home treatments include using a cool-mist humidifier to soothe irritated airways and sitting with your child in a steam-filled bathroom for approximately 10 minutes. Exposure to cool outdoor air for brief periods can also help relieve the cough. It is important to keep your child well-hydrated, offering breast milk or formula more frequently in smaller amounts.
However, if your child's symptoms worsen, persist for more than 3 to 5 days, or do not respond to home treatment, it is crucial to contact your healthcare provider. They may recommend further evaluation or specific medical treatments. In some cases, croup can lead to severe breathing difficulties, agitation, anxiety, fatigue, or bluish skin discolouration, requiring immediate emergency medical attention.
It is always better to seek professional medical advice if you are concerned about your child's health, especially if they are coughing in their sleep.
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A cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom might help with sleep and reduce coughing
A baby's cough can be indicative of many different things, and it's important to understand the context. If your 3-month-old is coughing in her sleep, it could be due to various reasons, and certain measures can be taken to alleviate the coughing.
Cool-mist humidifiers are generally considered safe for children, but it is important to follow some best practices. Use distilled or demineralized water, and avoid using a humidifier in enclosed spaces to prevent potential mould or bacterial growth. Keep the device clean and dry, both inside and out, to prevent the build-up of film or moisture, which can lead to mould or bacterial issues. Additionally, ensure that the humidifier is out of reach of children and pets to avoid any accidents or scalding risks.
It is important to note that while a cool-mist humidifier can provide relief, it should not be the sole treatment for a persistent cough. If your child's cough lasts for an extended period, such as more than three weeks, or is accompanied by other symptoms like fever, difficulty breathing, or lethargy, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider. They will be able to advise on the best course of action and determine if further treatment is necessary.
Additionally, there are other measures you can take to help soothe your child's cough and improve their sleep. Keeping your child hydrated is important, so offer breast milk or formula more frequently, but in smaller amounts. Cool beverages like juice can also be soothing, but avoid soda or orange juice as they can irritate a sore throat. Brief exposure to cool, outdoor air can sometimes help relieve coughing, but ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. If your child has asthma, consult your doctor for an asthma action plan to manage their symptoms effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many reasons why your 3-month-old baby might be coughing in their sleep. It could be due to a common cold, asthma, acid reflux, or a sinus infection. It could also be due to postnasal drip, where mucus from the nose and sinuses drains down the throat and triggers a cough during sleep.
Here are some home remedies to help your baby sleep better:
- Offer breastmilk or formula more often, in smaller amounts, to keep them hydrated.
- Give them a warm bath or shower before bed.
- Elevate their sleeping position slightly to help with drainage.
- Use a cool-mist humidifier in their bedroom to help moisten airways and reduce coughing.
- Use nasal saline drops and a bulb aspirator to suction their nose before bed.
It is advised to seek medical help if your baby shows any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Grunting
- Pale, bluish, purplish, or grayish skin or lips
- Skin retractions at the neck and chest area with inhaling
- Trouble crying
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Signs of excessive sleepiness or lethargy
- Rapid wheezing
