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My 18-month-old has been fighting a cold for a week, but now she’s developed this really barky cough, especially at night. It sounds awful, and she gets so worked up crying that it just makes the coughing worse. I’m trying to stay calm, but hearing her struggle to catch her breath between fits is really scary.

That sounds terrifying. A barky night cough that makes her cry can really shake you up. Try to stay as calm as you can, hold her upright, and sit in a hot steamy bathroom for a few minutes if you can. The humidity often quiets the bark for a spell. Offer small sips of water or milk if she’s willing, and keep the environment quiet and soothing. If she looks like she’s working hard to breathe, or if she can’t drink, call your pediatrician or go to urgent care right away.

We did the steam trick and the cough quieted for a few minutes, but it came back as soon as we left the bathroom. The noise was different when she was inhaling, more like a whistling crackling, and she kept coughing until she got upset. We turned on a humidifier in her room all night and kept her upright at least part of the time. I gave her a little honey after she was a bit older than one, and that seemed to help her sleep for a couple of hours, but it didn’t stop the coughing long term. It’s exhausting and I’m worried about the breathing.

I keep wondering if the barking cough is the real thing here or if the bigger issue is sleep deprivation and stress feeding the coughing. The child’s been sick for a week already, and tonight’s episode felt different enough to scare me. But maybe it’s just a rough cold with croupy sounds and no real danger. I’m trying not to panic, but it’s hard when the chest sounds tight and she cries to catch her breath.

Is the cough still loud when she’s quiet, or is it mainly during coughing fits?

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