2 Y/o with Nonstop Cough, Can't Sleep

Try some Vick's Vaporub on her chest, as well as her feet...as long as she then has socks put on. They make Vaporub plug-ins too that might help.

i don't know if this applies for you guys, but in january, right after the holidays my daughter started coughing for hours at night. she had some cough during the day but at night it was non stop. for the next 6 weeks, i went to the doctor dozen times to be told the same thing, it will go away. finally, she had a routine check up with her ear specialist (over something else) and she said how come we haven't done anything about her sinus infection. i was shocked she didn't sound stuffy, nor did she have a runny nose. the ENT said the sinus infection was so deep and looked like she has had it for weeks. we were given antibiotics, and within days she stopped coughing.
ps nothing else helped, we had a humidifier in her room, two pillows under her head, mucinex at times, still nothing. i can't believe the doctors missed it.

Allergies are rampant. Drainage can cause coughing. If she is phlegmy, you could try an allergy med & Mucinex for kids (to stop the drainage AND if a 2yr old can take it). Whenever we have a cough attack it is always due to allergies and drainage. The combo of allergy meds and Mucinex always clears it right up :)

Saline nasal spray or try elevating the top of her bed. Or prop her up in a comfy chair. If it continues ask for a neb machine to do a saline neb or albuterol neb right before bed....warning albuterol may calm her cough but in some kids may elevate heart rate and keep them up a bit...but most calm the cough and they can sleep. My neighbor swears by giving a teaspoon of heavy cream right before bed to "coat" irritated throat or you could try get better bear suckers as they have pectin that coats.

I know she is only 2 but delsym kids works WONDERS!!!!! I love this stuff and have been giving it to my daughter since she was about that age as well. It is the only medicine that actually works to quiet coughs i usually just give it at bedtime so everyone sleeps a little better and if it is a cough not an ear infection i will do mucinex during the day to loosen it up and help get it out.

Great answers from all the others. Allow me to add that this happened to us, too, with our son, at exactly the same age. The pediatrician told us it would go away, too. I suggest going to a pediatric allergist-it made a huge difference. We got him nonallergenic pillow cases, sheets, etc. We also got a hepa-filter, one of those air cleaner things-it made a HUGE difference. I also agree with rubbing Vicks on the toes(it helps) and putting the mattress on an incline. Good luck!!

My son has a chronic cough that he gets every time he has a stuffy/runny nose. His is caused by post nasal drip, it's hardly ever in his lungs. Our ped has always said to use Pediatric Benadryl to dry him up, but it never does anything. The only thing we have found that helps is Pediatric Robitussin Cough & Cold. If you don't know how to dose a 2 year old, go to the Dr. Sears website and they have a page on recommended children's remedies and associated dosing guide.

She probably has RSV- we just got through a 2 week bout of high fever, uncontrollable coughing (which frequently induced vomiting), and miserable nights with our 2 y/o as well. We rotated ibuprofen and acetaminophen for the fever, kept her as hydrated as possible, and then did a lot of steamy bathroom/shower time, and occasionally would immediately walk outside after into the cold air- this seems to break up the phlegm some. We also tried popsicles when she'd take them and warm honey water. We are finally on the other side of it...it's no fun. Also, just an FYI that our pediatrician says that the NW Suburbs have had a ton of RSV cases this year and almost no flu. Hope things get better soon!

Once my pediatrician knows what my daughter has - a cold vs. pneumonia, etc., - she recommends Delsym. It's the only cough medicine she's ever recommended and we only use it at night. Generally, coughing is a good thing as it's getting the gunk out of her lungs, but if no one is sleeping at night, that's rough and doesn't help anyone get better. See if your doc can recommend a nighttime remedy so you all get some shut eye. Good luck. I know first hand how hard these episodes are!

Well...maybe it does need to run it's course....give her Benadryl....call the pharmacist at your local pharmacy to get the correct dosage based on weight. It will help her get some rest. I would say it if continues.....it could be bronchitis...
Children's Benadryl...

Oooh, that is no fun. I'm sorry. We've been through similar nights. Ugh.

I would suggest putting her mattress on an angle if you can. Laying down makes the cough worse. I would also call her pediatrician to see if you can give her any medication to help with the mucous. We've given my daughter an antihistamine before to help with the mucous. It worked quite well, but I would check with your doctor to see what would be good for your daughter.

just give her some adult robitussin & that'll knock her out - j/k, lol!
i swear i'm j/k! i endured that w/my 3 yr old last night. he eventually stopped b/c i don't know what to do either. thankfully he doesn't do it ALL day too, though. only at night - which is very frustrating.
anyway, good luck mama, i'm right there w/you lately! :)

Check her for cystic fibrosis, otherwise follow natural remedies-Vick's, saline solution spray and lot's of liquids.

These coughs are tricky. My D has had some type of cough off and on since Halloween. A lot of times they are caused by post nasal drip or an allergy sends a cold into a tailspin. Some things to try-

An Antihistamine, Zyrtec makes a kids one, you can buy the generic.
Vicks Vapor Rub
Hot Bath
Saline Nose Drops
I hear good things about Mucinex, But have not tried it.
Elevate head at night.

If it doesn't get better in a week or so (or gets worse), It could be a sinus infection - my D has had that and antibiotics are needed. No bad cough should continue for more than 1-2 weeks without trying something else. If your child's face is a little puffy, that can signal a sinus infection, even if they are not stuffed up.

My D has had so many "coughs' this season that she developed a "habit" cough. She's getting better, But it's been a crappy winter in our house for colds. Good Luck.