J.M.
When my children are bothered by a cough I give them a table spoon of dark Karo syrup...the one with the blue label. It coats their throat so it isn't scratchy anymore and it helps break up the phlem. My aunt suggested it and it actually works. The only side effect would be too much sugar...
Hope this helps!
J.
My ENT also swears by Mucinex but I don't know what age that is appropriate, I know they have one for children. There are no tell tale signs for an ear infection...look for fever, crankiness, and pulling on the ear or refusal to drink.