During the winter and spring seasons, the alternating cold and hot weather makes babies more susceptible to colds, especially with a noticeable increase in coughing during the spring. Whenever a baby has a fever or a cold, it is often accompanied by a cough, and if they are feeling hot, they may also have phlegm. Babies are not able to cough it out themselves, so how can parents help them get rid of the phlegm? Here are three home remedies to help babies stop coughing and clear phlegm.
First Method: Back Patting
Back patting not only helps loosen the mucus in the lungs and bronchial tubes, allowing it to be expelled into the trachea, but it also promotes blood circulation in the heart and lungs, which is beneficial for bronchitis absorption. Back patting should be done before feeding to avoid excessive shaking that may cause vomiting.
Method: Hold the baby upright and pat gently with slightly curled hands, forming a hollow shape so that the baby does not feel any pain. When patting the back, make sure to cover all sides of the lungs, without leaving any areas untouched. Pat each side of the lungs 100 times during each session. Repeat this 3 to 4 times a day. Since the back and lower part of the lungs are more prone to mucus accumulation in babies, these areas should be focused on. If there is pneumonia, patting the affected side is crucial. The patting should produce a "popping" sound in order to be effective. Some parents are afraid of patting their baby too hard and therefore pat gently and cautiously. However, gentle patting is unlikely to be effective. As long as the patting posture is correct, it will not cause any pain to the baby. Sometimes, babies enjoy being patted on the back because it allows them to have close physical contact with their mother.
After the phlegm comes out, the baby does not cough it out but instead swallows it. This is because there are many digestive enzymes and acidic fluids in the digestive tract, which can kill bacteria and remove foreign substances.
Second Method: Drinking Water
Coughing babies often experience varying degrees of dehydration, which can make the secretions in the respiratory tract more viscous and difficult to cough out. Drinking plenty of water helps dilute the mucus secretions, making them easier to be coughed out. Drinking water also improves blood circulation, allowing the body's metabolic waste and toxins to be excreted through urine, thus reducing irritation to the respiratory mucosa. In addition, drinking water provides good moisture and physical therapy for the throat. The water temperature should be around 23-24°C, and it should be consumed between meals, in the morning and before bedtime.
Third Method: Steam Inhalation
Inhaling steam helps thin the mucus, making it easier to cough out, and it also reduces congestion and swelling of the trachea and bronchial mucosa, thereby reducing coughing.
Method: Pour boiling water into a teapot or cup, hold the baby and let them inhale the rising steam through their mouth and nose. When using this method, parents should be careful not to burn the baby.
Mothers, have you learned these three methods to clear phlegm?
