OT- DS has bad cough, what would you give?

[dnikki0928]

Soooo, DS has had a persistant cough since about Sunday. I took him to the pediatrician yesterday since my MIL called and told me that my StepFIL (who was really sick about 2wks ago) did indeed test +ive for whooping cough. So I took him in to be tested, and not to mention that I'm also 19wks pregnant. They said it would take between 24-48hrs for it to come back.
My question is, during his naps and bedtime he coughs a lot and I know he's not getting great sleep b/c of it. Would you guys give any meds just for coughs? His ped said to give 1/2 tsp of honey before bed and brush his teeth, and that would help coat his throat. Well, it didn't do CR AP! Advice please!!

[dnikki0928]

His pertussis came back negative so that's good, but the peds office won't call anything in!!! The honey didn't work at all so that's out. Yesterday I went back to Walgreens and found Mucinex for Kids and the age is 2 and up. It's a cough suppressent and it also helps thin any drainage. I gave it to him before bed last night and it helped until it wore off and I ended up giving him another dose in the middle of the night. It didn't take his cough 100% away, but it did help...I also do Vicks on his chest and I found Vicks gentle vapors waterless pads that you put into a nightlight looking thing....

[JoyRenee]

Cough and cold medicines aren't to be given to children under age 4 anymore so that's a bummer. The honey is really supposed to help, not to mention it has wonderful properties in it to help heal and soothe the throat.

My daughter just had a horrible cough that lasted 2 weeks! I felt bad. I put Vicks Vapor Rub on her chest at night and that seemed to help her sleep.

[sweetangel7]

Sounds like albuterol might be helpful in the form of a nebulizer...call the ped and ask...my son just had a BAD cold with a bad cough that kept him up all night coughuing then crying so our ped got us a neb and albuterol...

[smjmekg]

Try sitting with him next to the shower with just the hot water running...the steam may help.

[dnikki0928]

Yeah, I've got to clean his out... I forgot to mention he'll be 3 in December...

[KM604]

Maybe try a humidifier? My daughter is 7 1/2 months and had congestion plus a little cough.  The Ped said all i could do is run the humidifier.  Now I know that was probably mainly due to the congestion, but it helped with both the congestion and cough.