9. STEAMY AIR, COLD AIR
Croup is a loud, often scary-sounding cough that can be accompanied by raspy breathing. For relief, turn on a hot shower and close the bathroom door to create a steamy environment; then sit with your child (who should be clad in just a diaper or underwear) in the bathroom for 15 minutes. Then get the child dressed and wrapped in a blanket and take him out into the cool night air—or, if it’s warm out, stand in front of the open freezer door or the air conditioner for five minutes. “The steam relaxes the airways and vocal cords, while the cold air reduces the swelling,” according to Parenting, which gives a full set of instructions. “This combination often controls symptoms until the next day, when you can go to the doctor.”
