Question
Doctor, my son has been constantly suffering from a dry cough lately. He gets fussy at the smell of unpleasant things. What could be the cause of this? At 18 months old, I’m wondering what we should do?
Answer
The issue of baby dry cough requires serious attention. There are many possible causes for a baby’s dry cough, such as throat inflammation, eating too quickly, abnormal gastrointestinal function, or a functional defect in the lower esophageal sphincter. Parents should pay attention to observe the baby’s mood, milk intake, amount of complementary foods, and stool condition. If all these aspects are normal, there is no need to worry excessively. During feeding, it is important to give the baby warm water and try to feed them light and easily digestible complementary foods. When breastfeeding, ensure the nipple is filled with milk. Avoid letting the baby inhale too much air, eat small meals more frequently, and reduce exposure to cold and hot stimuli. After improving the feeding method, the baby’s dry cough should improve as well.