Where should I go?

  • Lexington Pediatrics:
    • For coughing or difficulty breathing
  • Go to PM Pediatrics if:
    • Our office is closed, and you are unable to keep your child comfortable until we open the next day. See home care below to help keep your child comfortable.
  • Go to the ER if:
    • Severe difficulty breathing - retractions (skin/muscle tugging in around the ribs and/or collar bone), unable to speak or cry, making grunting noises with each breath, stridor (loud high pitch sound when breathing in), nasal flaring
    • Lips or face are bluish
    • Faster than normal breathing with no fever 

Home Care:

  • Age 1 and older: You can give ½ to 1 tsp of honey as needed. This helps thin secretions and loosen the cough.
  • Do not give cough medicine to anyone less than 6 years old. In general, OTC cough medicines are not recommended.
  • Coughing fits: Turn the shower on hot and close the bathroom door to create a steamy environment. Bring the patient to breathe the warm mist. This helps to relax the airway and loosen phlegm.
  • Encourage fluids to help thin phlegm and add a humidifier to the room to prevent dry air.

We want to encourage a productive cough, this helps to clear mucus from the lungs. Coughs can last anywhere from 2-3 weeks. 

PM Pediatrics locations:

Woburn location:

99 Commerce Way
Woburn, MA 01801

(Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.) 

Saugus Location:

737 Broadway
Saugus, MA 01906

(Weekdays: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Weekends: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)