Is This Just a "Home Remedy" or Will It Actually Help My Coughing Infant?

Actually milk/dairy does not cause mucus. Here is a link to a scientific study out of University Hospital (B.W.), Zurich Switzerland.

http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/full/24/suppl_6/547S

abstract:

There is a belief among some members of the public that the consumption of milk and dairy products increases the production of mucus in the respiratory system. Therefore, some who believe in this effect renounce drinking milk. According to Australian studies, subjects perceived some parameters of mucus production to change after consumption of milk and soy-based beverages, but these effects were not specific to cows’ milk because the soy-based milk drink with similar sensory characteristics produced the same changes. In individuals inoculated with the common cold virus, milk intake was not associated with increased nasal secretions, symptoms of cough, nose symptoms or congestion. Nevertheless, individuals who believe in the mucus and milk theory report more respiratory symptoms after drinking milk. In some types of alternative medicine, people with bronchial asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the lower respiratory tract, are advised not to eat so-called mucus-forming foods, especially all kinds of dairy products. According to different investigations the consumption of milk does not seem to exacerbate the symptoms of asthma and a relationship between milk consumption and the occurrence of asthma cannot be established. However, there are a few cases documented in which people with a cow’s milk allergy presented with asthma-like symptoms.

Hi J., formula will cause more flem and mucus, Rice and oatmeal water is a home remedy for diahreea, not sure for coughing, but the formula will make it worse, also try and sleep him in his car seat instead of on his back, it will be easier for him to breath, and it will keep mucus from draining back into his ears. Also give him pedialite.

It isn't the formula itself, but the dairy. If you are using dairy formula switch over to soy formula until the cough subsides. Dairy increases mucous in the system.

Your mom's absolutely (and scientifically) right that dairy (like what's in formula).. causes more phlegm production.

However, at only 5 months old, you don't really have a lot of options. When my son was slightly older (9-10months) and had upper respiratory/sinus stuff we'd switch him to juice & chicken broth.... but 5 months is a HUGE difference in infant physical development. He'd already HAD both of those things, for one thing (so we knew he wasn't allergic, and that his digestive system was developed enough to be ABLE to digest those things).

I would personally NOT take him off of formula right now... because they need those fats to make antibodies (antibodies are almost 100% fat with a little bit of protein), as well as the proteins & nutrients that you just don't get at ALL in cereals.

BUT, it's also absolutely NOT witch doctor stuff your mum is talking about. It's solid science. It just needs to wait a few months before being safely applied, and then, ABSOLUTELY yank dairy out of his diet when he's sick. Just not right now, when that's his only source of solid nutrition.

Have you ever given your baby rice cereal or oatmeal? If not, I wouldn't start doing it when the baby is sick. You want his first introduction to food to be when he is healthy and in a good mood. I don't know if it will help the cough or not, but it doesn't seem like the right time or way to introduce solids.

I agree with the previous poster that dairy causes extra mucous and phlegm, and that is why the formula might be aggravating the cough.