Coughs in children are very common and usually caused by viral colds that resolve over one to three weeks without antibiotics. A barking, seal-like cough (croup) is also common and often eases with calm, upright positioning, though it can sometimes need medical assessment.
Seek urgent care or call your emergency number if your child is breathing very fast, struggling to breathe, making a grunting noise, has skin pulling in between or below the ribs, has blue or grey lips or face, or is too breathless to feed or talk. These can be signs of a chest infection or breathing difficulty that needs immediate attention.
Arrange a non-urgent doctor visit if a cough lasts more than about three weeks, keeps coming back, is associated with a high fever that will not settle, or your child is wheezing or losing weight. Over-the-counter cough medicines are generally not recommended for young children; a pharmacist can advise on what is appropriate.