Croup DESCRIPTION OF CROUPY COUGH All children with croup have a tight, barking cough. The voice is usually hoarse. DESCRIPTION OF STRIDOR (SEEN WITH MODERATE OR SEVERE CROUP) When your child breaths in, you hear a harsh, raspy, vibrating sound. Breathing is very difficult. Your child has severe croup (stridor only occurs with severe croup). Stridor is usually only present with crying or ...