Can I give a syrup to my 5 month old boy who has a bad cough and a stuffy nose?

Hello Ma'am,

For babies, syrups are not recommended because of the risks associated with them, and the little benefit they provide. Syrups with honey are also to be avoided for babies under 1 year of age due to the risk of infant botulism.

You already have the best possible solution🙂, nasal hygiene (nasal douche). To make it less uncomfortable, you can warm up the saline a bit before administering it (by putting it in a container of warm water). You can do this several times a day (3 to 6 times).

You can also offer your child drinks more often, which will help liquefy the secretions and make them easier to eliminate. Humidifying your child's room with a humidifier and sloping his or her mattress a bit might also help.

Don't hesitate to get back to us if things get worse or if you have any other questions. With good nasal hygiene, you're putting the odds in your favor to avoid possible complications!

It's a pleasure,

Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist