There are few sounds more startling than waking up in the middle of the night to a cough that sounds like a seal barking. The first time you heard your little one make this sound, your heart probably jumped straight into your throat.
The good news is that this barking cough is usually caused by croup, a common childhood illness. Here’s what concerned parents can know to put their worried minds at ease when their babies and children are coughing.
If you are unsure whether symptoms are serious, read our guide on when to worry about a cough in babies and children.
What Is Croup and Why Does It Get Worse at Night?
Croup is a common childhood illness caused by swelling in the upper airway, specifically around the voice box (larynx) and windpipe. This usually develops after a viral infection, like the parainfluenza virus, resulting in a swollen airway.
The swelling narrows the airway and changes how air moves through it, and this is what produces that distinctive barking cough in kids. Children between the ages of six months and three years are most vulnerable, although older kids can develop croup, too. The condition peaks in the fall and winter but can occur at any other time.
Of course, one of the hallmarks every parent becomes unfortunately acquainted with is that the cough worsens at night. What causes the nighttime cough that keeps kids (and parents) up late? When we lie down, changes in circulation and airway positioning can increase the amount of swelling around the voice box. Cooler nighttime air can also trigger or intensify the cough.
Stridor: What It Is and Why It Matters
Beyond the barking cough in kids, some children with croup develop stridor, which is a high-pitched, squeaky sound that occurs when your child breathes in.
Stridor happens because the airway has narrowed enough that air has to squeeze through a tighter space. Mild stridor that only appears when your child is upset or crying is less concerning. Stridor that’s present when your kiddo is calm and resting, however, is a sign that the airway is significantly narrowed, and that a trip to your local provider is necessary.
When to Take Your Kid to Urgent Care
Mild croup usually resolves without any kind of medical treatment. But if you notice any of the following symptoms, then you should put a trip to urgent care in your schedule:
- Stridor when your little one is calm
- Visible pulling in of the skin around the neck or between the ribs when breathing
- Bluish tint around the lips or fingernails
- Extreme distress or your child seeming unable to catch their breath
If you notice any of these symptoms, or if the normal symptoms don’t improve at home, don’t wait. KidsStreet’s urgent care services for kids can handle croup and stridor with a quick diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan that might include medications. The goal is to deliver relief for the kiddo and peace of mind for you, the parent.
Of course, if your child develops a bluish color around the lips, can’t swallow, is drooling excessively, or is showing signs of breathing difficulty, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room ASAP.
For non-emergency care, KidsStreet is open late 7 days a week! Register online to save your spot in line so your child can be seen quickly and start feeling (and sleeping) better sooner.