Most coughs in children are caused by viral colds and get better on their own within 2 to 3 weeks. A cough can actually help clear mucus from the airways. See a doctor if your child has difficulty breathing, a high fever, a cough lasting more than 3 weeks, or a cough that sounds like whooping or barking with breathing noises.
Types of cough and what they may mean
| Cough | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Barking, like a seal, with hoarse voice | Croup |
| Bouts of coughing ending in a “whoop” or vomiting | Whooping cough (pertussis) |
| Wheezy cough with breathlessness | Asthma, bronchiolitis (in babies) |
| Wet or chesty cough with fever | Chest infection or pneumonia |
| Dry cough at night | Cold, asthma, allergies |
| Sudden cough after choking or playing with small objects | Inhaled object: urgent |
Safe home care
- Give plenty of fluids
- Rest
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever or discomfort if suitable, following the label for age and weight
- For children over 1 year, a teaspoon of honey in warm water can soothe a cough
- Saline drops for blocked noses in babies
- Keep the home smoke-free
What to avoid
- Honey for babies under 1 year (risk of infant botulism)
- Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for young children (many are not recommended under 6 years)
- Antibiotics for viral coughs; they don’t help
- Vapour rubs on babies’ faces or under the nose
Seek urgent help if your child
- Is breathing fast, struggling to breathe, or has chest indrawing
- Has blue or grey lips or tongue
- Makes a high-pitched noise when breathing in (stridor)
- Has pauses in breathing
- Is very drowsy or floppy
- Is under 3 months with a fever of 38°C or more
- Coughs up blood
- May have inhaled an object
See a doctor if
- The cough lasts more than 3 weeks
- Fever lasts more than 5 days
- Cough fits with vomiting or whooping
- Night-time cough keeps recurring
- Your child is not feeding or drinking well
Frequently asked questions
Why is my child’s cough worse at night?
Mucus drains down the throat when lying down. Asthma can also cause night cough.
Related reading: Bronchiolitis and croup · Whooping cough · Signs of pneumonia in children
Checked against NHS guidance on cough. Updated 5 November 2026.