any cough meds over the counter for infants?

that are 3-4 months? My dr said no but some people are telling me they have been giving their kids little noses cough/col or tylenol cough or triaminic...is this okay? I cant understand why my drs this cautious when other babies are on this.

Re: any cough meds over the counter for infants?

Our doc also strictly forbids it until 2 years of age for three reasons - infants can have adverse reactions, parents have overdosed (accidentally) infants on cold medicine and because studies show that cold medicine does little to relieve symptoms in infants.

The FDA also warns parents to avoid using cold medicine on infants under 2.

Here is an article about it:
Cold medicine for infants

If you decide to use it, be VERY careful about dosages

Re: any cough meds over the counter for infants?

I wouldn't give it to her. A lot of them contain ingredients that they can not have until they are 6-8 months old, just like Motrin.

Did you try the Saline drops in her nose? inclining her matress in the crib? cool mist humidifier? Does she have a whooping cough-if she does than you can try putting her in a steamy room. Did you try Vicks vapor rub?

That's all I can think of. I hope she feels better soon, it seems like she's had this cold forever

Re: any cough meds over the counter for infants?

Posted by pmpkn087

I wouldn't give it to her. A lot of them contain ingredients that they can not have until they are 6-8 months old, just like Motrin.

Did you try the Saline drops in her nose? inclining her matress in the crib? cool mist humidifier? Does she have a whooping cough-if she does than you can try putting her in a steamy room. Did you try Vicks vapor rub?

That's all I can think of. I hope she feels better soon, it seems like she's had this cold forever

Re: any cough meds over the counter for infants?

Re: any cough meds over the counter for infants?

We've used Tylenol Cold & Cough since around 6 months of age (with pediatrician approval).

Re: any cough meds over the counter for infants?

my doc is the same way. DD had a bad cough and the only medicine we give her is something he specially prescribed. for the same reasons, they have said to stay away from OTC drugs while she is still so little.

Re: any cough meds over the counter for infants?

when ds was 3 mnths..he was very sick with a horrible cough and my ped advised us to give him pedia-care cough and decongestant.......

He is now 6 months and has been sick with a bad cough for the past 3 days and our ped told us to give him pedia-care again.....


Now I am afraid if I have harmed DS by giving him the OTC medicine

Message edited 3/15/2007 12:52:03 PM.

Re: any cough meds over the counter for infants?

Less then 6 months we only used saline drops and cool mist humidifer. Between 6-12 months she had pedia care a few times but it didnt really have much effect or it was very short term. After 12 months we used Infant tylenol cough and cold with great results. It truly meant the difference between her coughing all night long or sleeping.

Re: any cough meds over the counter for infants?

We were told at 3-4 months not to use anything, then a nurse pract. said pediacare was oK, but honestly it didn't help much. Esp w/a cough alot of times it's good for them to cough up the phlegm (but not so great when they're sleeping!) I used Tylenol cough and cold at night so he could get some sleep, but during the day nothing.

Re: any cough meds over the counter for infants?

I would not use anything on a child so young. My DD is 1 and currently has a cough and all I am doing is saline drops w/ an aspirator and vicks vapor rub(on bibs during the day) and on onesie at night.

Re: any cough meds over the counter for infants?

My dr. also didn't recommend cough medicine when he was sick and he was 10 months old.

Re: any cough meds over the counter for infants?

okay...Everyone convinced me...I wont do it I was just wondering why. But its clear tha I shouldnt.