Should a Baby With Chest Congestion Have Milk?

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Should a Baby With Chest Congestion Have Milk?

Question:

If a 17- month-old has chest congestion, should she have milk?

Answer:

While many grandmothers say you shouldn't give milk to a child with chest congestion, there's really no good data to show that it's true.

Most chest congestion is caused by viruses such as the one that causes the common cold. Over-the-counter cough and cold remedies are not recommended; they can be dangerous, and they aren't very helpful anyway. The best way to help young children with chest congestion is to give them plenty of fluids (milk, water, juice, soup), keep their noses clear using a bulb syringe, and make sure they get plenty of rest. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help if there is fever, and a humidifier may help keep secretions loose and easier for the child to manage.

If the congestion seems to be in the chest and not the nose or throat, it's probably a good idea to check in with the doctor to make sure there isn't anything more serious going on, like pneumonia or wheezing. You should call the doctor right away if there is a high fever (102 F or 39 C or higher) or any trouble breathing. Signs of trouble breathing could include any of the following:

• Breathing quickly or forcefully

• Sucking in around or above the ribs with each breath

• A whistling or wheezing noise with breathing

• Looking pale — or worse, blue

• Having trouble talking

• Being much sleepier than usual

If any of these happen, your child needs immediate medical attention.

Claire McCarthy, M.D., is a senior medical editor for Harvard Health Publications. She is an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, an attending physician at Children's Hospital of Boston, and co-director of the pediatrics department at Martha Eliot Health Center, a neighborhood health service of Children's Hospital. The author of two books, "Learning How the Heart Beats" and "Everyone's Children", Dr. McCarthy was a regular columnist for "Sesame Street Parents Magazine" from 1995 to 1998 and is currently a contributing editor for "Parenting Magazine".

Last updated:	July 20, 2009