6 month old baby boy with very bad cough

[nipper10]

I have been writing to a friend who is Madagascan for 3 years and lives in the south of Madagascar. Her baby boy is unwell. She says he is off his baby milk, and barely drinks half a bottle, has a very bad cough. This has recently been made worse by a 3 day bus trip from the capital city, the bus trip was very dusty and she thinks the dust has affected him badly, but these symptoms started a while before the journey. He has lost alot of weight and is generally crying and unhappy. The temp there at the moment is very very hot 40c+ and he cannot sleep well because of this and the cough. I know she cannot afford to see a doctor. can anyone give any advice?

[nipper10]

Thanks for the advice. I tell my friend an old trick that my mum used to try, a bowl of hot water and a towel placed over baby's head and the bowl (taking care to keep hold of tiny hands so they don't touch the water) and let the baby inhale the steam, perhaps with honey and lemon juice in the water will help his breathing. What your doctor suggests is the same thing... vapour from steam will help a cough. My friend tells me that baby Mike's cough is improving slowly now they are back home near the fresh sea air. We don't know how lucky we are to be able to afford to see a doctor when we like.

[Dr. Joshua]

She should absolutely try to get access to a doctor. The baby needs to be checked out. There is no way to tell what is causing that cough.

Generally speaking, some of the common causes for prolonged cough in babies are asthma and gastroesophageal reflux (GER). GER may also cause all the other symptoms you described.

Gastroesophageal reflux responds to proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole or ranitidine (Zantac). Consult a professional before giving the baby ANY medicine.

A safe home remedy that might be tried if there is no medication or doctor available is to have the baby sleep with the head elevated (the whole bed should be tilted so the head is elevated, for instance by placing some blocks of wood under the bed legs on the side of the head) by e.g. 10-15 cm. Avoiding spicy and sour foods may also help. Milk or other such products may help.

Also, try not to have her lie down right after eating. Avoid tight fitting clothes around the stomach area. Avoid eposure to passive smoking.