How To Help Soothe A Congested Baby And Kid's Nighttime Cough

Every parent has experienced being awake all night with a coughing or congested child who can’t seem to fall asleep, regardless of how exhausted they may be. Between stuffy noses, throat irritation and coughing fits that are made worse by lying down, it’s hard for kids to get the rest they need to recover from these common illnesses—and that means no one in the household is sleeping soundly, siblings and parents included.

Fortunately, there are tools families can use to help ease cough and cold symptoms while supporting a good night’s rest. Pharmacist Sandra Tadros Guirguis and sleep expert Alanna McGinn share their best advice for parents on ways to help soothe cough and cold symptoms in children with natural and effective ingredients that are backed by science.

Soothing Your Sick Kid

There’s nothing worse than seeing your child under the weather. Even a simple cold can cause major sleep disruptions. While there’s no cure for the common cold, there are ways to address coughing, sore throat and congestion for children. A warm bath and drinking plenty of fluids is a good start. Using products like Zarbee’s® new nighttime line—featuring such naturally dervied ingredients such as chamomile, honey, English ivy leaf, turmeric and marshmallow root—can also be helpful for nighttime support.

 

“Chamomile can help ease restlessness,” Tadros Guirguis says. “English ivy leaf is a climbing plant that, when ingested, can help to break up mucus, and marshmallow root can support the respiratory system.”

She adds that turmeric and honey have excellent antioxidant properties, and honey has antibacterial and coating properties that can offer quick relief. “It has a calming, soothing effect on a raw throat—it really coats it—and because it’s naturally sweet, there are no added sugars. It’s very child friendly.” These naturally derived ingredients can be found in Zarbee’s® Children’s Nighttime Cough + Mucus Syrup (ages 2 and up) and Zarbee’s® Children’s Nighttime Complete Cough + Cold Syrup (ages 6 and up), which includes additional ingredients turmeric and marshmallow root for broader symptom support.

“Some of these ingredients have been used traditionally in various cultures for centuries,” Tadros Guirguis says, adding that the efficacy of these natural ingredients is evidence based and backed by science today. Zarbee’s® products are formulated with age-specific considerations, so parents know they’re making the right choice for their baby, toddler or young child.

 

Better Sleep, Better Health

There are four pillars of health, McGinn asserts—nutrition, sleep, physical activity and connection—and a child’s sleep health can play an important role in avoiding illness as well as recovering from it.

“Getting that high-quality, restorative sleep throughout the year is going to help prevent illness by supporting a strong immune system and helping kids recover as quickly as possible from coughs and colds when they do get sick,” McGinn explains. “Having a consistent bedtime routine also helps by signalling that it’s time to rest, even when you’re sick.”

In addition to using Zarbee’s® Children’s Nighttime Cough + Mucus Syrup and Zarbee’s® Children’s Nighttime Complete Cough + Cold Syrup to help alleviate your child’s symptoms, McGinn recommends providing a dark sleep environment, using a humidifier and/or air purifier as needed and giving your child a warm bath before bed. She also recommends making use of soothing lavender and eucalyptus, which also have a calming scent. Zarbee’s®  Baby + Children’s Soothing Chest Rub includes these natural ingredients and is specially formulated for infants as young as two months old.

Effective Relief From Cough and Cold Symptoms

Rest is a necessary piece of the recovery puzzle, and Zarbee’s® products can help your little bees get the sleep they need this cough and cold season, naturally and effectively. The ingredients aid with easing symptoms so that sick babies and kids can sleep soundly, allowing the entire family to enjoy a restful night, too. Zarbee’s® also offers a variety of age-specific options while supporting your children’s immune health all year long.

Visit Zarbees.ca and follow them on Facebook or Instagram to learn more. Stay ready for when sickness strikes by keeping your medicine cabinet stocked with Zarbee’s essentials, available at Amazon.ca and your local pharmacy.

To be sure any Zarbee’s® product is right for your child, always read and follow the product label and consult your doctor or pharmacist before incorporating Zarbee’s® into your wellness kit.

The information in this article is not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your health care provider before making any health care decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.