Bleary-eyed parents woken yet again by a toddler's troublesome cough may be cursing - and confused by - the recent decision to limit the availability of over-the-counter syrups and mixtures.

But the move is welcomed by some doctors and specialists doubtful of the effectiveness of cough mixtures, and one side effect may be a return by parents to traditional, old-fashioned home remedies like honey and lemon for ailments.

Six cough products directly targeted at children under two were recently removed from open shop shelves.

While they are still available on request from pharmacists they will be only given out for the use of children aged two and over.

In the long term, manufacturers will re-label and re-package as many as 117 cough mixtures and where applicable remove the dosage instructions for children under two and add additional instructions in relation to children aged two to six years old.

While none of the remedies has been shown to be dangerous when used correctly there has been growing concern that parents may unwittingly give children too much because they miscalculate a dose or use additional doses to try to ensure the medicine works.

Children under two are at greater risk of an overdose because they are smaller and at least five deaths of British children under two have been linked to cough and cold remedies.

Specialist Dr John Henderson, Reader in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine at Bristol University, and a consultant at Bristol Children's Hospital, says: "Many professionals have been dubious for a long time about whether cough mixtures have any effect. There is no scientific evidence either way and no convincing evidence that they are any better than a placebo. But they have been widely relied on by parents who in general regard a cough in a child as a bad' thing - obviously because a cough disturbs a child's sleep and the parent has to check and comfort them. So parents automatically turn to cough mixture."

In fact, he says, a cough shouldn't be suppressed because it is the body's natural response to an inflammation.

"If you could get a cough mixture that completely suppressed a cough it could be harmful as it is part of the body's normal defences against the development of more serious conditions such as pneumonia."

And he points out reassuringly: "Normally and in the vast majority of cases, a cough is a self-limiting condition which will sort itself out generally within a few days."

He advised parents to consult a GP if they are concerned, particularly if the child is unwell or has difficulty breathing as well as coughing.

Holistic practitioner Dr John Briffa says: "There has been an unwelcome tendency over the years for people generally to seek a medical solution for every ailment, no matter how minor.

"This is often unnecessary and we are discovering that this was not always wise, hence the current more restricted approach to prescribing antibiotics."

Dr Briffa, author of Natural Health for Kids (Penguin £14.99) pointed out that children who seem more prone to coughs, colds and congestion may have a sensitivity to dairy food.

We've asked other experts for advice on dealing with toddlers and children's coughs.

WHAT TO DO

GP Dr Paul Stillman says: "Parents can give paracetamol and ibuprofen medicines to help reduce temperature if a child is uncomfortably hot.

"This can be helpful and once a child feels cooler and better he or she will probably drink more, which is important so they don't dehydrate.

"Vapour rubs and simple cough mixtures such as glycerol, honey or lemon may be soothing temporarily for children under two."

FURTHER GUIDANCE

Pure honey should not be given to children under one but medicines containing it are safe as they contain a processed version of the foodstuff.

For young babies, who are having difficulty feeding, nasal saline drops are recommended to help thin and clear nasal secretions. Vapour rubs and inhalant decongestants, which can be applied to a child's clothing, can also be used to provide relief from a stuffy nose.

For children over the age of two there are a range of over-the-counter cough medicines available. If you use these always read the medicine label and follow its advice, always stick to the recommended dose. Do not use more than one cough or cold medicine at the same time.

The Proprietary Association of Great Britain, which represents the makers of the medicines, emphasised cough mixtures were not being banned for use by older children and were still safe when used as directed.

Spokesman Sheila Kelly said: "Companies are taking this action voluntarily because the wellbeing of babies and young children is paramount."

WAYS TO HELP

Laura O'Flynn, health visitor advisor for online networking site for parents netmums.com advises on other ways to minimise a troublesome cough: "Sometimes I find a toddler's cough is being exacerbated by its inhaling cigarette smoke because the parent is a smoker. Parents should try to at least reduce and if possible totally prevent a child's exposure to passive smoking."

She also says steam may help open up a child's airways, blocked because of catarrh and mucus, which may in turn reduce coughing but adds: "Children, of course, should NEVER be left alone in a room with hot water or boiling pans."