Most often cough and cough in children is caused due to certain viral infections. Althought the safety of carbocyteine in children above 2 years has been demonstrated, it is unlikely to cause any problem in a child of lower age. You may give it without worrying. Steam inhalation is helpful in diluting the cough/mucus and can be given. Just sit with the child in your lap and place the source of steam before you. Water in the form of vapor fills the air that the child breathes in and reaches deep into the lungs and helps in diluting the cough and provides relief.

Most often such infections are associated with allergic reactions. Giving some antiallergic like cetirizine syrup for a few days should help in relieving the problem.