Decongestant, expectorant -- what do I give when?

Decongestants shrink stuffy nasal passages. They're available as nasal sprays or oral medicine. Nasal sprays should not be used for more than 2-3 days in a row. Cough expectorants may help thin mucus so it can be coughed up. Your child needs to drink a lot of water for an expectorant to work. Cough suppressants don't help get rid of mucus. Even if a cough keeps a child awake at night, it's usually better not to suppress it.