Would you give your almost 5 year old a Halls cough drop?

It says for children 5 and older. She's 2 months shy. She's prone to lingering coughs. She had a mild cold/cough last week that went away and now just the cough is back - it's pretty bad. I thought about taking her in to the Ped but they are only there until noon. I called and the receptionist said they are packed. My DD says her chest doesn't hurt so I think I'd rather wait it out until Monday then risk sitting in the waiting room full of sick kids where she could pick up something worse.

WWYD? Oh, they have menthol in them.

sure.
I hope she feels better soon.

Nope. We just tried one with DS1, who is 4 months from age 5. He started choking on it and ended up coughing it up. I'll wait another year or so before trying again.

Thanks for the quick responses. I'm not so much worried about choking as having some sort of bad reaction to menthol. I'm still debating it and in the meantime, she's having a lollypop at 11am :(

I probably would give it a try, but I just know that my DDs would spit it up and say it was "spicy" b/c of the menthol. I don't think they could handle the strong taste of a Halls menthol cough drop.

If you aren't worried about choking, I'd just give a regular sucky candy (lollipop for example). The menthol won't help the cough any.

I would if I thought they could handle the sucking candy aspect of it. I have given both my DDs cough drops before. Like a PP, I think both would say a strong menthol cough drop is "too spicy." Both girls like Ricola Honey-Herb Throat Drops when they have a bad cough or sore throat. These only have a small amt of menthol.

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Originally Posted by bubbaray

If you aren't worried about choking, I'd just give a regular sucky candy (lollipop for example). The menthol won't help the cough any.

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Agreed. My doctor told me that cough drops basically just help lubricate the throat, so a regular candy works just as well. And they aren't spicy. ;)

I read somewhere that a spoonful of honey is very helpful for a cough and DDs been coughing quite a bit so we gave her some honey and it really did seem to help. Worth a try.

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Originally Posted by wendmatt

I read somewhere that a spoonful of honey is very helpful for a cough and DDs been coughing quite a bit so we gave her some honey and it really did seem to help. Worth a try.

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Yup, we do that too. Older DD loves her "special drink" when she has a cough or sore throat. I heat up some water, stir in a bunch of honey until it dissolves and then add a couple glugs of lemon juice. Sort of like tea with lemon and honey but without the tea. She'll drink tea too, but likes this just fine so I skip the tea.

another vote for honey...works for us

I just gave her honey. I always forget about using honey for a cough so thanks for the reminders. :) DD licked one cough drop and made the worst face, so I guess it really isn't an option anyway.

I've given my 3-y/o cough drops before. She's fine. I don't think the menthol is a huge issue -- have you ever heard of Vick's Vap-o-Rub?

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Originally Posted by C99

I've given my 3-y/o cough drops before. She's fine. I don't think the menthol is a huge issue -- have you ever heard of Vick's Vap-o-Rub?

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Just wanted to add that the menthol isn't an issue for me other than taste-wise. I don't care for strongly mentholated products, even when sick. I get kind of nauseous from them. The Ricola throat drops I mentioned as being less menthol-y are appealing simply because they have a milder flavor. DH, on the other hand, swears by Halls type stuff.

Well, DS had had lollipops and even hard candy before. Something about the cough drop, the taste maybe?, made him inhale weird and started choking. So, if you do give her one, watch her. We were surprised that he had a problem with it.

I have a strange DD she actually tries to sneak my Hall's !!!!!!!!!! She like's the taste.

Luden's Cherry drops are pretty yumm-o!