Cough in Newborn Home Remedies: Safe & Soothing Tips

Cough in newborn home remedies can help your baby feel better when they have trouble breathing. When my little one had his first cough, I felt so worried. But I found simple ways to help him at home. In this guide,

 I will share safe tips to ease your baby's cough and help them breathe better.

Cough in Newborn Home Remedies

Understanding Why Newborns Cough and When to Worry

Baby's cough for many reasons. As a mom of two, I have seen that most newborn coughs are not serious. But it helps to know why they happen.

Common causes of newborn respiratory health issues include:

• Milk or spit-up going down the wrong way
• Dry air in your home
• Small dust bits in the air
• A mild cold or virus
• Infant congestion from getting used to breathing outside the womb

I once thought my baby had a serious cough, but our doctor showed me it was just from the dry winter air in our apartment. A simple humidifier fixed it quickly!

When Home Remedies Aren't Enough: Call Your Doctor

While cough in newborn home remedies work for mild cases, some situations need a doctor right away.

Call your doctor if you are having a baby:

• Is under 3 months old with any cough
• Has a fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
• Makes a whistling or high-pitched sound when breathing
• Has blue-colored lips or face
• Seems to struggle for breath
• Is very sleepy or won't feed
• Has a cough for more than 3-4 days

I learned this the hard way when my daughter's simple cough turned into something more serious. Now I know that when to see a doctor for baby cough isn't just about how bad the cough sounds – it's also about how your baby acts. Trust your gut!

Top Safe Cough in Newborn Home Remedies

I've tried many safe home treatments for newborn cough over the years. Here are the ones that work.

1. Keep the Air Moist with a Humidifier

Dry air makes coughs worse. Using a humidifier for a baby's cough adds water to the air and helps your little one breathe better.

From my experience, here's how to use a humidifier right:

• Put it near your baby's crib but not too close (about 3-6 feet away)
• Use fresh, clean water every day
• Clean the machine often to stop mold growth (I clean mine twice a week)
• Use cool mist, not hot steam (hot steam can burn the baby's delicate skin)

I found that running the humidifier for about 30 minutes before bedtime and during sleep helps the most with natural remedies for cough in newborns.

2. Gentle Nose Cleaning for Better Breathing

Babies breathe mostly through their nose. When their nose is stuffy, it often causes coughing.

Here's how I clean my baby's nose to help with a cough in newborn home remedies:

• Try a small rubber nasal aspirator or a NoseFrida.
• Put 2-3 drops of saline solution for infant cough relief in each nostril
• Wait about 30-60 seconds for the saline to loosen the mucus
• Gently squeeze the bulb, then put the tip in the baby's nose
• Slowly release the bulb to pull out the mucus
• Wash the tool in warm, soapy water after each use.

I do this before feeding because it helps my baby eat better when they can breathe through their nose.

3. Raise Baby's Head Slightly When Sleeping

When lying flat, mucus can drip down your baby's throat and cause coughing. Elevate your infant's head during sleep to ease discomfort.

Safe ways I've found to do this include:

• Place a rolled towel under the mattress (never under the baby directly)
• Never use pillows, which can cause suffocation
• Only do this for supervised sleep times
• Return to a flat surface for unsupervised sleep

4. Increase Fluid Intake for Thin Mucus

Keeping newborns hydrated during a cough helps thin mucus and ease coughing.

For babies under 6 months:

• Breast milk or formula is all they need
• Feed slightly smaller amounts more often (I offered feeds every 1-2 hours instead of 3-4)
• Avoid giving water, tea, or juice to infants under 6 months.

I've noticed that when my baby has a cough, breastfeeding benefits for cough are clear – they stay better hydrated and seem to recover faster.

5. Create a Steamy Bathroom for Quick Relief

Steam for baby congestion helps loosen mucus and makes breathing easier. This is one of the fastest cough remedies I've used.

How I use steam therapy for infants safely:

• Run hot water in your shower with the bathroom door shut.
• Sit with the baby in the steamy room for 10-15 minutes
• Keep the baby away from hot water
• Talk or sing to keep the baby calm
• Do this before naps or bedtime

I remember one night when my son couldn't stop coughing. Ten minutes in our steamy bathroom and he was breathing much better!

6. Maintain Clean Air in Baby's Room

Clean air helps reduce coughing and supports natural cough relief for infants.

Ways I improve air quality at home:

• No smoking in the house or near the baby (this is a strict rule in our home)
• Avoid aromatic smells like perfume or cleaning products
• Change air filters monthly
• Keep pets out of the baby's room
• Dust and vacuum when the baby is in another room

After we got an air purifier for the nursery, I noticed my baby's nighttime coughing improved dramatically.

7. Try Gentle Chest Massage with Warm Oil

Massage and warm oil for a newborn's cough can help break up congestion. This is one of my favorite gentle coughs in newborn home remedies.

How I do a chest massage:

• Warm my hands first
• Spread a small dab of baby-safe oil, such as plain coconut oil, on your hands.
• Gently rub in small circles on the baby's chest and back
• Keep movements very light
• Do for 2-3 minutes at a time, a few times a day

My baby seems to enjoy this soothing touch, and it often helps calm coughing spells.

8. Hold Baby in Helpful Positions

How you hold your baby can help with soothing a coughing baby and make cough in newborn home remedies more effective.

Positions I've used for my coughing babies:

• Upright against my chest, with gentle back patting
• Slightly bouncing while walking
• Sitting in a semi-upright position in my arms,
• For supervised naps, lying on their back with their head slightly raised

The upright position against my chest seems to work best when my baby has a bad coughing spell.

9. Maintain the Right Room Temperature

The right room temperature helps babies with a cough in newborn home remedies.

Temperature tips I follow:

• Keep room between 68-72°F (20-22°C)
• Dress the baby in one more layer than I'm wearing
• Check if the baby feels too warm by touching the back of the neck
• Don't overheat the room, as this can make breathing harder

I use a simple room thermometer to keep track, and I've found that slightly cooler air (around 68°F) often helps ease coughing at night.

10. Use Breast Milk as Medicine

If you're nursing, your milk supplies unique immune boosters for your baby. Breast milk benefits for newborns with cough are amazing.

How I use breast milk as part of a cough in newborn home remedies:

• Feed more often when the baby is sick
• Express a few drops to put in the baby's nose like saline (sounds absurd, but it works!)
• Keep well-hydrated to make plenty of milk
• Hold your baby upright during feeding to keep milk on track.

I've found that my babies always seem to get better faster when nursing more during illness.

What NOT to Do: Unsafe Remedies to Avoid

Some common cough treatments are NOT safe for newborns. Avoid these when looking for a cough in newborn home remedies:

• Never give honey to babies under 1 year (risk of botulism)
• Don't use cough drops or lozenges (choking hazard)
• Avoid over-the-counter cough medicines (not safe for babies)
• Don't use menthol rubs, Vicks, or essential oils on babies (can cause breathing problems)
• Never prop your baby up with pillows for unsupervised sleep
• Avoid turmeric paste for baby cough remedy, despite what older family members might suggest

I once had a well-meaning relative suggest honey for my 2-month-old's cough. I'm relieved I learned it was dangerous!

Creating a Healthy Environment to Prevent Coughs

Preventing coughs is better than treating them. Here are ways I keep my baby's space healthy:

Daily habits for better newborn respiratory health:

• Wash your hands often, especially before touching the baby
• Keep visitors with colds away from your newborn
• Clean toys and surfaces regularly with mild soap
• Avoid crowded places during cold and flu season
• Make sure everyone who holds the baby has clean hands

Since starting these habits, we've had far fewer coughs and colds in our home.

Signs Your Baby Needs Medical Help

Sometimes baby-safe home treatments aren't enough. Your baby needs to see a doctor if:

• The cough gets worse instead of better
• Your baby has trouble feeding or seems in pain
• Breathing is faster than 60 breaths per minute
• You see, the skin "suck in" between the ribs when baby breathes
• Your baby seems exhausted or hard to wake up
• Do the mouth and face lack any blue hue?

I once waited an extra day before calling the doctor, and my baby ended up needing stronger treatment. Now I know it's better to call early if I'm worried.

FAQs About Cough in Newborn Home Remedies

How do I treat my newborn's cough?

Treat your newborn cough with gentle methods like using a cool-mist humidifier, clearing nasal passages with saline drops and a bulb syringe, and keeping your baby hydrated with breast milk or formula. 

I've found that sitting in a steamy bathroom for 10-15 minutes works quickly. Always keep your baby slightly upright when they're coughing and make sure the air in your home is clean and not too dry. 

For babies under 3 months or those with severe symptoms, call your doctor right away instead of trying home remedies.

Can breast milk cure a baby’s cough?

Breast milk can help a baby with a cough, though it's not “cure." It contains antibodies and immune boosters that help fight the germs causing the cough.

I've noticed that my breastfed babies recover faster from coughs than my formula-fed friends' babies. Breast milk also keeps your baby hydrated, which helps thin mucus. During illness, you can feed your baby more often for comfort and hydration.

While breast milk supports your baby's immune system, a cough from an infection will need time to heal, and some causes of coughing may require medical treatment.

How to remove a cough from the chest of a baby?

To help clear chest congestion in a baby, I use these methods:

• Run a cool-mist humidifier nearby while sleeping
• Create a steamy bathroom by running a hot shower and sitting with my baby in the room
• Try gentle chest massages using small, circular motions with a tiny bit of baby oil
• Keep my baby in an upright position as much as possible
• For supervised times, place a rolled towel under the head end of the mattress
• Keep my baby well-hydrated with more frequent feedings
• Use saline drops and a nasal aspirator to clear the nasal passages

I've discovered that steam offers swift, instant relief.

What is the fastest home remedy for a cough?

The fastest home remedy I've found for my baby's cough is creating a steamy environment. I run a hot shower with the bathroom door closed until the room gets steamy (but not too hot). Then I sit with my baby in the steamy bathroom for 10-15 minutes.

The moist air helps loosen mucus right away and often provides quick relief from coughing. Another fast method is holding your baby in an upright position against your chest while gently patting their back.

This position helps drain mucus and often brings fast relief. Remember that "fast" remedies provide temporary relief – a cough may need time to fully go away.

Final Thoughts on Cough in Newborn Home Remedies

Most newborn coughs are mild and respond well to gentle remedies for a baby cough at home. The most important things are keeping your baby comfortable, watching for warning signs, and getting medical help when needed.

Remember that you know your baby best. If something doesn't seem right, trust your feelings and call your doctor. With good care at home and medical help when needed, your baby will soon be feeling better.

I hope these cough in newborn home remedies help your little one as much as they've helped mine. Remember, this too shall pass, and soon your baby will be back to their happy, healthy self!