When should I worry about my baby's cough?

The signs that mean act immediately

Call 999 or go straight to A&E if your baby: is working hard to breathe (fast breathing, grunting, or the skin between/under the ribs pulling in with each breath), has blue or grey lips or tongue, goes floppy or unresponsive, or pauses breathing. These are emergency signs regardless of what's causing the cough.

The signs that need same-day advice

• Fever with a cough in a baby under 3 months — always get this checked the same day
• A barking, seal-like cough with a hoarse voice or noisy breathing when they breathe in (croup) — common, usually manageable at home, but worth a same-day call to confirm
• A cough that's getting worse rather than better after a few days, or lasts more than 3 weeks
• Your baby is feeding poorly, unusually drowsy, or you're simply worried — trust that instinct

What's usually fine to manage at home

A mild, dry or wet cough alongside a runny nose and otherwise normal feeding, breathing and behaviour is typically a straightforward viral cold — keep them upright-ish when feeding, offer plenty of fluids, and let it run its course. Most children under 5 have several coughs and colds a year; it's not usually a sign anything is wrong.