Baby coughing can be a cause of worry for many parents. So for parents who are wondering what foods are good for a baby with a cough and what dietary restrictions should be followed, here are some suggestions.
1. Chuanbei Pear Soup
Effects: This remedy can moisturize the lungs, suppress coughing, and dissolve phlegm.
Ingredients: Chuanbei, pear, rock sugar.
Method: Cut the pear in half, remove the core, and add 2-3 pieces of rock sugar and 5-6 pieces of Chuanbei (crushed). Put the pear halves back together and place them in a bowl. Steam for about 30 minutes and serve in two portions.
2. Boiled Radish Water
Effects: This remedy is effective for treating cough with heat, dry nose and throat, and dry cough with little phlegm. It is especially beneficial for babies under 2 years old.
Ingredients: White radish.
Method: Wash and slice the white radish into 4-5 thin slices. Place them in a small pot with half a cup of water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes and let the water cool before serving to the baby.
3. Chinese Yam Porridge
Effects: This remedy can suppress cough and treat asthma. It also has good effects on children with poor appetite, excessive sweating, excessive saliva, and weak constitution.
Ingredients: Chinese yam.
Method: Peel the Chinese yam and cut it into small pieces. Put it in a food processor with half a cup of water and process into a paste. Then pour it into a pot, heat it up, and stir continuously until boiling. It is best for the baby to consume it on an empty stomach. One bowl of Chinese yam porridge can be divided into 2-3 servings for the baby.
4. Red Date and Ginkgo Nut Soup
Effects: This remedy is effective for children with persistent cough, recurrent colds, coughing, and fever.
Ingredients: 3 red dates, 3 ginkgo nuts.
Method: Put the red dates and ginkgo nuts into a small pot with half a cup of water. Simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes. Serve to the baby before bedtime. This remedy is suitable for babies over 2 years old.
5. Walnut Sesame Red Date Soup
Effects: This remedy can treat persistent cough, bronchitis, asthma, and constipation in children.
Ingredients: 1/2 pound walnut kernels, 2 ounces black sesame seeds, 1/2 pound red dates.
Method: Grind the walnut kernels, black sesame seeds, and red dates and mix them in a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and 3 tablespoons of water (heat the honey and water on the stove as it is difficult to mix evenly). Cover the bowl and steam in a large pot on high heat for 40 minutes. Serve the baby one spoonful in the morning and evening.
Dietary Restrictions for Babies with Cough
1. Avoid cold and cooling foods. Consuming cold and cooling foods when the body is cold can damage the lungs. Coughing is often caused by lung diseases. Eating cold foods can worsen lung congestion and increase phlegm.
2. Avoid fatty and heavy foods. Fatty and heavy foods can cause internal heat and worsen coughing. Thick and sticky phlegm can be difficult to expel. Therefore, it is best for coughing children to consume light foods.
3. Avoid fish, shrimp, and crab. It is well-known that coughing patients should not consume "heaty" foods, especially fishy foods. They can have a significant impact on "cough due to heat". Therefore, it is important to avoid them.
4. Avoid oranges. Some parents believe that oranges can suppress coughing and dissolve phlegm. While orange peel can have these effects, orange flesh can generate heat and phlegm. Since it is difficult for children to consume only the peel, it is best to avoid oranges altogether.
