Chronic/Consistent Cough

Cough is a reflex action of the respiratory tract that is used to clear the upper airways. Chronic (or ongoing) cough is a cough which lasts for more than three weeks and is a common reason for referral to a healthcare provider.

Chronic/Consistent Cough & CMPA

Why does my baby have a consistent cough?

A consistent cough that does not go away could be related to an environmental trigger or to a pathogen/infection. Environmental triggers might include contact with cigarette smoke or to pollution. However, there are also illnesses that can cause a consistent or chronic cough. These might include respiratory tract infections, asthma, bronchitis, and croup or whooping cough.

Could it be Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy?

Up to 30% of babies with CMPA will have a respiratory symptom such as chronic cough. If your baby has an immediated cough after feeding then CMPA might be suspected. However, babies with CMPA usually experience more than just one symptom and these symptoms can be very different from one baby to the next. Therefore it is always best to discuss it with your baby’s healthcare provider. They will look at the symptoms in detail and often use a symptom scoring system to decide if it is related to CMPA.

What to Do Next?

If you are worried that your baby has symptoms related to cow's milk, you should seek advice from your healthcare provider. Whilst you are preparing to visit your healthcare provider, it can be a good idea to record your baby's symptoms over a few days before the visit.