Bronchiolitis coughing at night

Bronchiolitis narrows and irritates the small airways, so mucus and airway sounds may be more noticeable when a child is lying down. The illness may include cough, wheezing, a runny nose, fever, faster breathing, or difficulty feeding. Night waking alone does not measure severity; look at how the child breathes and behaves between coughs.

Keep the sleep space free of smoke, vapour products, and strong scents. Never prop a baby into an unsafe sleep position or leave them unattended on a sofa or adult bed.

Before sleep, offer a feed and gently clear mucus from the nose if it is blocking breathing. During the night, check colour, breathing, responsiveness, and wet nappies rather than repeatedly giving remedies. Hold the child upright while awake and supervised. Use a medicine only when it has been specifically advised for the child; cough products are often unsuitable for young children.

Get emergency help for blue or grey lips, breathing pauses, severe chest indrawing, grunting, or a child who cannot stay awake. Seek prompt advice if feeds are much smaller, wet nappies decrease, wheezing worsens, or you are struggling to judge the breathing. A [Child Health Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/child-health-consultation/) can provide an assessment; related symptoms include [Wheezing](/symptoms/wheezing/).

Ask how often to check your child overnight, which breathing changes are urgent, how to support feeds, and whether any prescribed treatment should be used before sleep. A short video of noisy breathing may help the clinician if it can be recorded safely.