Question
My baby has been having clear runny nose for five days. On the third day, she started coughing occasionally and has phlegm that blocks her breathing. By the morning of the third day, she began to wheeze a bit, which is quite severe when she moves, resembling the sound of a duck’s call. When she sleeps, I can hear her snoring. Her appetite has increased significantly, but she drinks less milk and sleeps restlessly…
Answer
Mild coughs generally do not require medication, but if the coughing worsens, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. It is not recommended to take children to the hospital just because of coughing, as doctors may overuse antibiotics or administer intravenous drips, which can have negative effects on children. These medications can only temporarily alleviate symptoms and cannot cure the root cause. You can try helping your baby to cough up phlegm by encouraging her to drink more water and by giving her some expectorant and cough-suppressing soups, such as pear stewed with loquat and honey or stewed pork with apple, figs, and almond. In the later stages of fever, you can take your baby to see a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and follow the doctor’s advice to take Chinese herbs for nourishment.