1. Warm Fluids for Coughing Spasms: For any bouts of severe coughing, offer warm apple juice or lemonade if over 4 months old. (Reason: These can relax the airway and loosen up sticky secretions). Do not give any cough medicine.

2. Nasal Washes To Open a Blocked Nose:

   • Use saline nose drops or spray to loosen up the dried mucus. If not available, can use warm tap water.

   • STEP 1: Instill 3 drops per nostril. (Age under 1 year, use 1 drop and do one side at a time)

   • STEP 2: Blow (or suction) each nostril separately, while closing off the other nostril. Then do other side.

   • STEP 3: Repeat nose drops and blowing (or suctioning) until the discharge is clear.

   • Frequency: Do nasal washes whenever your child can't breathe through the nose.

   • Saline nasal sprays can be purchased without a prescription.

   • Saline nose drops can also be made: Add 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) of table salt to 1 cup (8 ounces or 240 ml) of warm water.

   • Reason for nose drops: suction or nose blowing alone can't remove dried or sticky mucus.

   • Another option: use a warm shower to loosen mucus. Breathe in the moist air, then blow each nostril.

   • For young children, can also use a wet cotton swab to remove sticky mucus.

   • Importance for a young infant: can't nurse or drink from a bottle unless the nose is open.

3. Humidifier: If the air is dry in your home, run a humidifier.

4. Smaller Feedings: Encourage small, frequent feedings whenever your child has the energy to drink. (Reason: Child with wheezing doesn't have enough energy for long feedings).

5. Avoid Tobacco Smoke: Active or passive smoking makes coughs much worse.

6. Contagiousness: Your child can return to child care after the wheezing and fever are gone.

7. Call Your Doctor If:

   • Breathing becomes difficult, tight or loud

   • Wheezing becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.