Dealing with your own persistent cough can be difficult enough, but it's worse watching your child in discomfort. And while a child coughing up mucus sometimes requires medical attention, other times your best bet is waiting it out. That doesn't mean you can't relieve your child's symptoms with over-the-counter treatments, though. Use these guidelines to figure out how to help a child coughing up mucus — and when you should visit your pediatrician.
Clear Your Child’s Chest Congestion With an Expectorant
Sometimes, a pesky, productive cough comes along with a range of other oh-so-wonderful cold and flu symptoms — but other times, you're mainly concerned with the coughing and mucus. If that's the case, reach for Mucinex® Children’s Freefrom™ Cold, Flu & Sore Throat. It contains the expectorant active ingredient Guaifenesin, the cough suppressant active ingredient Dextromethorphan HBr, the pain reliever and fever reducer active ingredient Acetaminophen and the nasal decongestant active ingredient Phenylephrine HCI.
Expectorants are medications that thin and loosen mucus. This may make it easier for your child to cough up and clear the chest congestion. Expectorants are available over the counter in various forms, such as liquids, liquid gels, tablets, and caplets.
A cough suppressant is a medication that alleviates coughing by suppressing the urge to cough. These medications work by acting on the cough reflex in the brain or the throat, helping to provide temporary relief from irritation and discomfort associated with coughing. Cough suppressants are also available over the counter in different forms, such as liquids, liquid gels, caplets, tablets, and lozenges.
Expectorants and cough suppressants are available for children 4 years and older.
Know the Correct Dosing for Children’s Cough Medicine
Knowing your child's correct dosing of Mucinex® Children’s Freefrom™ Cold, Flu & Sore Throat depends on their age. Kids aged six to twelve can take one dose of 10 mL (Acetaminophen: 325 mg every 4 hours, Dextromethorphan HBr: 10 mg every 4 hours, Guaifenesin: 200 mg every 4 hours, Phenylephrine HCl: 5 mg every 4 hours) every 4 hours, for a maximum of 5 doses daily.
However, younger children — ages four to six — should not take Mucinex® Children’s Freefrom™ Cold, Flu & Sore Throat.
OTC Multi-Symptom Medicine Options for Excess Mucus and More
Children coughing up mucus from the cold or flu often have other uncomfortable symptoms. Looking for over-the-counter options that offer multi-symptom relief can be more beneficial for your child in feeling better. That's why Mucinex® Children's offers multi-symptom relief in different formulations so you can help your child relieve their symptoms with the most suitable product.
Nasal and Chest Congestion Symptom Relief for Kids
Mucinex® Children’s Multi-Symptom Cold Liquid with Very Berry Flavor, for example, may offer relief for cough, chest congestion, and a stuffy nose for kids four or older.
Children aged six to twelve can take 10 mL (Dextromethorphan HBr: 10 mg every 4 hours, Guaifenesin: 200 mg every 4 hours, Phenylephrine HCl: 5 mg every 4 hours) every 4 hours, for a maximum of 6 doses daily.
Children aged four to six should take a lower dose of 5 mL (Dextromethorphan HBr: 5 mg every 4 hours, Guaifenesin: 100 mg every 4 hours, Phenylephrine HCl: 2.5 mg every 4 hours) every 4 hours, for a maximum of 6 doses in 24 hours. Children under the age of 4 should not use it.
Sore Throat, Fever, Congestion and Pain Relief for Kids
If your child is grappling with even more symptoms — like a sore throat, stuffy nose, fever, and headache — and they are six or older, try Mucinex® Children’s Cold & Flu All-In-One Very Berry Flavor instead.
It combines mucus-clearing guaifenesin with a pain reliever/fever reducer, a cough suppressant, and a nasal decongestant to help your child feel better. Children ages six to twelve can take a 10 mL dose (Acetaminophen: 325 mg every 4 hours, Dextromethorphan HBr: 10 mg every 4 hours, Guaifenesin: 200 mg every 4 hours, Phenylephrine HCl: 5 mg every 4 hours) every 4 hours, up to 5 times in 24 hours. Children under the age of 6 should not use it.
Cough Relief for Kids Who Don’t Handle Liquid Well
Soothing a coughing child is difficult enough, but it's even harder if he won't swallow syrup. We've got your back. Mucinex® Children’s Cough and Chest Congestion Mini-Melts™ provide symptom relief for children four years and older. Simply empty the medicated powder onto your child's tongue and direct them to swallow it for relief of cough, mucus, and chest congestion.
Children twelve years or older can take 2 packets (Dextromethorphan HBr: 10 mg every 4 hours, Guaifenesin: 200 mg every 4 hours) to 4 packets (Dextromethorphan HBr: 20 mg every 4 hours, Guaifenesin: 400 mg every 4 hours) every 14 hours (up to 6 doses in 24 hours). Kids aged six to twelve can take one to two packets every four hours, while children aged four to six can take 1 packet (Dextromethorphan HBr: 5 mg every 4 hours, Guaifenesin: 100 mg every 4 hours) every 4 hours.
Go the Extra Mile to Rid Mucus With These Care Tips
In addition to relieving your child's cough with over-the-counter medication, try the following care tips to ensure your child takes the necessary steps to alleviate symptoms and whether seeking medical attention is necessary.
Check Your Child’s Mouth
In some instances, your child's cough may be caused by inhaled food items or small objects like seeds, nuts, or small toys accidentally entering his or her respiratory system while eating, playing, or laughing.
If your child suddenly begins coughing and showing difficulty in breathing, this could mean they've inhaled an object. To detect food or small objects that your child has potentially inhaled, it's essential to check their throat and mouth.
You can use a flashlight to see the back of their throat better and look for visible foreign objects or food particles. If no objects are found or visible while looking in their mouth and throat, try feeling around their neck for lumps or masses. If anything feels or looks abnormal, seek medical attention right away.
Encourage Your Child to Take It Easy
Encouraging your child to rest and take it easy when they have a cold or flu virus is important in helping them recover and feel better. When your child is sick, their body uses a lot of energy to fight off an infection, so giving them a break from their regular activities is much needed.
Do your best to encourage your child to stay in bed and get plenty of sleep, as this is when their body does most of its healing. Limit their physical activity and provide them with plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Overexertion can worsen symptoms, so it's vital to let your child know that it's okay to take a break and that they should listen to their body's needs. Providing a calm and restful environment can help your child recover from their illness more quickly.
Merck Manual: Cough in Children
The Merck Manual: Cough in Children resources can help you gain more insight into your child's cough and take appropriate measures to ensure your child remains safe while relieving symptoms.
This trusted source of medical knowledge offers an in-depth guide to understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment of cough in children. Armed with this knowledge, you can take the best-fit steps to quickly alleviate your child’s symptoms of coughing up mucus.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Productive coughing is a common symptom in children, but certain signs and symptoms should signal the need for medical attention. If your child's cough is severe or persistent and is accompanied by difficulty breathing, wheezing, rapid breathing, chest pain, or a high fever, it is important to seek medical attention quickly.
Other concerning symptoms include coughing up blood, choking or gagging while coughing, and a persistent cough that lasts longer than a week. Additionally, if your child has a history of asthma or allergies or if they have been exposed to a respiratory infection, it is important to monitor their cough and seek medical advice if any new or concerning symptoms arise.
Resources
- Merck Manual (2022), Cough in Children
- Cleveland Clinic (2022), Cough
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (2023), Key Coughs Parents Should Know
*When not to use Mucinex® Products:
A) Do not exceed the recommended dosage. If nervousness, dizziness, or sleeplessness occur, discontinue use and consult a doctor.
(B) If symptoms do not improve within 7 days or are accompanied by fever, consult a doctor.
(C) Do not take this product if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, or difficulty in urination due to enlargement of the prostate gland unless directed by a doctor.
(D) Drug interaction precaution. Do not use if you are now taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (certain drugs for depression, psychiatric, or emotional conditions, or Parkinson's disease), or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI drug. If you do not know if your prescription drug contains an MAOI, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.
If you have any questions or concerns, ask your doctor before taking.
