Why my child is coughing only at night? Are these coughs really strong to get you up at night? Do you wonder if your child’s health is okay? Where do these night coughs disappear during daytime? If any of these questions is bothering you then you must read till the end.

If your child’s coughs appear at night only and disappear surprisingly during daytime then you are not alone. It is a common search term on google and many parents are worried about it. It gets worrisome and perplexing for parents to see their child’s sleep getting disrupted. There is no obvious cause to it which adds to their worry. It is important to understand the probable causes and what can be done against it.

Why Child Cough At Night?

Child coughs at night are due to environmental and physiological reasons. The common cause is congestion in the chest or in easier words the mucus is in excess. When your child is lying in bed their mucus pools in the throat causing cough and irritation. If the bedroom air is dry which is usual in cold environments or air-conditioned rooms the airways get aggravated. The allergens that are active in night time such as dust mites, mold, or pet dander can also enhance your child’s cough.

The simple answer to why my child coughs only at night is that at night time lying in bed causes irritation due to a mucus pool. While daytime activities keep the mucus moving and the symptoms are less noticeable.

Common Causes of Cough At Night

1. Postnasal Drip

Sinus infections, allergies and colds often causes mucus to travel from nose to throat causing irritations and triggers cough at night.

2. Acid Reflux

Lying in bed causes the stomach acid to flow into throat causing an acid reflux that leads to irritation and cough at night.

3. Allergy or Asthma

Bed contamination including pet hair or dust mites can enhance your child’s cough at night. Asthma can also trigger at night due to cold dry air or airway inflammation.

4. Pertussis or Whooping Cough At Night

Continuous nighttime cough can be due to whooping cough and can be identified by a whoop sound upon getting severe.

5. Respiratory Infections

Lingering cold effects or bronchitis can result in mucus buildup that can become more noticeable during the night due to silence and inactivity.

Seeking Medical Advice

Common cases of child’s cough at night are benign but certain symptoms require attention. You need to contact pediatrician in case:

• Your child’s cough has been going on for three weeks now.
• If you notice wheezing, difficulty in breathing or high-pitched sound when they cough.
• If you observe blood or greenish mucus.
• If you perceive weight loss, fever or unusual fatigue.

Remedies for Child Cough at Night

If you are wondering how do you stop coughing at night with kids here are few remedies that will surely help you.

1. Sleeping Environment Adjustments

The first and most important step is to adjust the sleeping environment. You need to humidify the air with a cool-mist humidifier commonly available. The goal is reduce the dryness in air that can cause throat irritation. Change and wash bedding on regular basis. Frequent vacuuming and air ventilation is important. Mattress covers and hypoallergenic pillows can also be a good option to reduce allergens.

2. Elevate Head Position

An extra pillow can be placed to raise your child’s head to prevent acid reflux from stomach to pool in the stomach.

3. Encourage Hydration

Frequently drinking water can dilute the mucus and can easily drain from body. Warm fluids such as honey and tea can be utilized to soothe the throat.

4. Saline Nasal Sprays

Nasal passages can be cleared using saline sprays relieving irritation in throat and the postnasal drip.

5. Remedies for Allergy, Asthma and Acid Reflux

Allergy: Utilize prescribed antihistamines and allergy-proof the sleeping area.

Asthma: Inhaler needs to be present near the child and must be used according to professional prescription.

Acid Reflux: Avoid acidic and heavy meals especially at dinner and consult doctor for any medications in case of severity.

Conclusion

For your child’s cough at nighttime only, you need to manage the sleep environment, sleep posture and food. If that doesn’t help go for expert’s consultation. Following these minor remedies will ease most of your worries regarding your child’s cough at night. It will ensure a comfort and restful sleep for both of you. We wish you a Good night sleep from our side.