For a child with frequent coughing spells, a helpful technique to reduce the amount of mucus flowing from the nose to the throat is nasal hygiene. This involves using a syringe (without a needle) and saline or distilled water. The amount of water to use may vary based on the child's age. Initially, it is recommended to perform this technique about 5 times a day for the first two days, then decrease to 2 times a day in the following days. Many parents have seen significant improvement in their child's symptoms within 48 hours using this method.