Why Is My Baby Coughing? 8 Possible Causes and When to Worry

Baby cough remedies for bronchiolitis

You can treat bronchiolitis at home once your baby's breathing is under control. Give them lots of fluids, plenty of rest, and a cool-mist humidifier, and always keep an eye on your child's respiratory rate. If it gets too high—50 breaths per minute or more—your child is definitely in respiratory distress. Call 911.

Whooping Cough in Babies

This life-threatening bacterial infection was a leading cause of infant illness and death until the DTaP vaccine was created in the 1960s, which practically eradicated it in the U.S. However, whooping cough has been making a comeback and there have been outbreaks in many states in recent years.

What whooping cough sounds like

A loud, rapid whoop

Symptoms of whooping cough

In most cases of whooping cough (pertussis), the baby has no cold symptoms or fever. Signs of whooping cough include:

• Frequent, alarming coughing spasms
• Tongue sticking out
• Bulging eyes
• Face discoloration

Preventing whooping cough

Make sure your baby has been immunized. And because babies aren't fully protected until they've received multiple doses of the vaccine, it's essential that you and all of your infants' caregivers get vaccinated with the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) booster.

Treatment for whooping cough

If you suspect your baby is suffering from whooping cough, call 911 immediately. By the time the coughing fits develop, the infant must be hospitalized so they can receive oxygen during coughing spells, according to Ruffin Franklin, M.D., of Capitol Pediatrics and Adolescent Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Your baby—as well as every member of your household—will also be prescribed an antibiotic to prevent the spread of this very contagious disease. After the initial attack, whooping cough will need to run its course, which can take months.