DownSyn Forum

AliMama · Posted: January 02 2010, 11:48 AM Post subject: Vicks on babies for congestion

Have you heard about putting Vicks vapo-rub on babies' feet and then putting socks on over them at night to help with congestion? People claim that it works, but I think I read somewhere that you shouldn't use Vicks on babies. I would also worry about the sensitive skin issue, too.

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Maresa,
Mom to Alisa (10-29-2008) DS, complete AV canal repair on 3-6-2009

~Ben'smum~ · Posted: January 02 2010, 1:04 PM Post subject:

We use Karvol for Ben, when he's sleeping we put it on one of the toys on the mobile above him.

I've never heard about using vicks on babies.

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Karen- Mum to the world's cutest baby!! Very Happy

Ben

violettesmom · Posted: January 02 2010, 4:02 PM Post subject:

I've used baby vicks on vi's feet before. I've also had good luck with a nose frieda (google it) and saline spray.

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laurnadunne · Posted: January 02 2010, 7:43 PM Post subject:

I have never used it on a baby, but I have on my oldest daughter, I started when she was about 5, and i think it worked wonders! I don't think for congestion, but Definitely for her cough! Hope this helps...

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Mom of two beautiful girls <3

Ashley Kathleen (6-2-02)
Kylie Ann (4-13-09)

burnsun · Posted: January 02 2010, 9:14 PM Post subject:

My doctor says it does absoulutely nothing when they have researched it...... many many studies......but...... I really know my grandma swore by it and so did my great gran and they both raised passels of kids doing that!

(my doctor also told me her mom did it to her and still reccommends it)

_________________
Jane
mom to
Colin Miguel (11/19/00) DS & type 1 diabetes, ASD
Devon Richard(4/13/01) DS & Autism & Partial Complex, Seizures terology of Fallot
& Retinal detachment w partial blindness at this time
Melea Isabelle(2/13/02) DS
Adrian Elliott (7/04/03) ADD
Eliza Marisol (5/15/04) DS , ASD, pulmonary hypertension, ADHD, ODD, Autism Spectrum Disorder,
Miranda Olivia (2/1/05) DS & Partial Complex Seisure Disorder & iratractable epilepsy & Stero Typical Movement Disorder & AV Canal
Jordan Alexander(3/17/2007)ADHD
Emerson James (1/08/2009) 33 week preemie
Sarah Emmaline "Emma" Grace (2/15/2011) 35week little one with a variety of issues inc: cp & fragile x & Seizures & severe birth trauma & G-J tube, Severe reflux, and recurent pnumonia and tracheosomy and vent chugging princess since 8/24/2012!

wife to the best & greatest guy Eric

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read about the daily adventures of Princess grumpy and her special siblings and their daily adventures

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violettesmom · Posted: January 02 2010, 9:33 PM Post subject:

Amazing picture Jane! And too funny about your doctor!

I always wonder if it works because I only remember to put it on when the cough sniffles are driving me out of my mind...just about the time it is going to get better!

Anyway, I still do it. Better than the big fat nothing the doctors recommend we do, IMO!

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KSS2009 · Posted: January 03 2010, 12:07 PM Post subject:

I tried the Vicks-on-feet thing one night in desperation! Might have been coincidence, but he stopped coughing! Only tried it the once though.

I use Vicks on our boys every time they have a cold. There is stuff available for little ones (6+ months), but when they were younger than that, I'd rub little blobs into their PJs or onto the crib sheet.

Also found that a cool mist humidifier works well and lots and lots of saline squirts up the nose (my eldest gets a freakish enjoyment out of the tickle sensation; my youngest yells the house down!).

_________________
Karen xx
Mum to Edward (April 2006) & Alexander (DS - December 2008)

AliMama · Posted: January 03 2010, 3:32 PM Post subject:

We're using the cool mist humidifier, and some saline, although she fights it like a tiger!

_________________
Maresa,
Mom to Alisa (10-29-2008) DS, complete AV canal repair on 3-6-2009

~Ben'smum~ · Posted: January 03 2010, 3:50 PM Post subject:

When I use the saline I count to 3 and squirt. I do a big cheer and clap my hands and he loves it, Ben seems to lay long enough for me to squirt it. But when he's not in good form he'll wriggle about.

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Karen- Mum to the world's cutest baby!! Very Happy

Ben

AuntieM · Posted: January 03 2010, 4:11 PM Post subject:

Vicks has been pretty well researched and does nothing (at least nothing physical!) I would NOT use it on babies anywhere but especially anywhere they can reach. And room humidifiers usually can't make enough difference in the humidity to be very helpful... although whole house humidifiers certainly can.

On the other hand, saline nose drops are pretty effective and very safe. No other cold products produce enough benefit to be worth the risks, which is why the age limit on them keeps being raised.

And as far as what our moms and grandmas did. Well. They also rubbed booze on kids' gums to relieve teething pain, and they gave paregoric for diarrhea (a morphine-like opiate). They put babies to bed on their stomachs, and there were no five point car seats (or even seat belts). Most of us survived just fine, but as time goes by and scientific research shows what really works and doesn't work, it makes sense to go with what is proven to be safe and effective. This is no slam on our predecessors... I look back to some of the stuff I was taught to do to babies when I started nursing 35 years ago and cringe!!!!

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Mary, retired Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
Great-aunt to Tarryn (DS, 5 years old)

Ragans Mama · Posted: January 04 2010, 10:34 AM Post subject:

I have used it on his back for bedtime when stuffy. It really helps.

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New Mommy - Ragan is my one and only.....
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JanAndFamily · Posted: January 04 2010, 11:25 PM Post subject:

I get out the Vicks as soon as Christopher starts getting a cold. Not during the day, just to help him (and me!) sleep. I put it on his clothing, not his skin - on the inside, because it stains some fabrics (with another layer or 2 between that and his skin). I've since heard that you're not supposed to use it for children under 2, but I was thankfully blissfully unaware of that until after he turned 2. Smile

I haven't googled to know what the issues are under 2, but you may want to do this. We didn't discover Vicks until he was a year or so, and it was a wonderful discovery after a number of restless, sleepless nights where I had to hold him upright most of the night to keep him halfway sleeping. Vicks really clears up the congestion to let him sleep peacefully, and I'm a big believer that sleep is important for healing. So while I'm not into over-medicating in general, to some degree I'll do what I have to in order to let children sleep when they're sick.

Jan

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wife and mother of Katherine (2004) and Christopher (Aug. 2007, DS)

Googsmom · Posted: January 05 2010, 8:51 AM Post subject:

I have used Baby Vicks on Brooker for years. I was told to only use Baby Vicks b/c it has eucaliptus (sp) and not menthlatum (sp). The menthlatum is not good for heart conditions. (Brook still has that pesky ASD) I do put it on her feet too Smile

I have to chuckle at what Auntie M said too. Soooo true. And what about Mom blowing cigarette smoke in my ear for a ear ache..... LOL... true story Shocked

Oh we've come so far Wink

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Jennifer, Momma to The Brookster 4 yrs old

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mom2marty3 · Posted: January 06 2010, 8:06 AM Post subject: try this too

this is a relaxing way to soothe congestion: take a hot shower and put the baby in the bathroom with you. don't turn on the bathroom fan, if you have one. just let it get all steamed up in there. the steam helps loosen congested areas and you get to melt away some of you stress in a well-deserved mini-spa as well Very Happy

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mom to marty III (8/6/09, T21)

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14)

Etta's Mom · Posted: January 24 2010, 8:07 PM Post subject:

double post- sorry!

Etta's Mom · Posted: January 24 2010, 8:07 PM Post subject:

I JUST found this awesome plug-in waterless vaporizer unit made by PediaCare when we were in the grocery store the other night. The vapors are non-medicated and smell like peppermint to me (the ingridients say: menthol eucalyptus, camphor, lavender, and chamomile). The night light on it is a little bright, but I stuck a piece of black electrical tape over it and it's good to go!

It's called "PediaCare Gentle Vapors Vapor-plug unit & nightlight"

I found one over at amazon to show you...
http://www.amazon.com/PediaCare-Gentle-Vapors-Vapor-Plug-Refill/dp/B000GCJPDA/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1264380818&sr=1-6

Also. I'm a BIG believer in saliene for little noses. In addition I use the electric snot sucker that Graco makes. Etta thinks the vibrating/sucking is funny, so she doesn't fight it (as I've heard a lot of kids do). OH, and of course we have our cool mist humidifier cranked all the way up! AND I usually give her tylenol (even without fever) because I imagine that the sinus pressure is probably giving her a headache. Anyway, I try to do ALL I can to help her (and me) get some sleep when she's sick (like she is right now).

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Tiff wife to Keith
Mommy to Etta May- DOB: June 1st, 2008 (DS)
Our Family Blog
Etta's Website

ellenstumbo · Posted: February 07 2010, 4:45 PM Post subject:

Well *I* do that and it works! So research says no, but my body says yes, so I do wonder where they got their research from.

I have heard no on babies, and don't know why. But, I used and still use peppermint oil on their feet and it works wonders for congestion and a cough. I also use it myself, so, as soon as we start, we put it on Smile

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Ellen, honored to be married to Andy since Feb 2003 and mom to Ellie (08/21/05) Nina (05/01/06 CP) and Nichole (10/02/07 DS)
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"For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14
God does not make mistakes

Me-Shell · Posted: February 09 2010, 10:21 PM Post subject:

I have used vicks on all three of my kids and my mom used it on me. They did not have Baby Vicks when Shane and Aubrey were babies but I did use it on Cameron. I put it on their chests and then put their PJ's on and put a tiny bit under their nose night and it worked for them. I also have used the Vapor Bath Wash by Johnson and Johnsons and it seemed to help a bit.

We never had any bad reaction to it.

_________________

Michelle, Fiance to Wyatt, Mom to Shane (22), Aubrey (19) and Baby Cameron DS (02/06/08 )

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Asa's Momma · Posted: February 10 2010, 1:03 PM Post subject:

My whole house smelled like Vicks last night! Poor Ace has a nasty upper respiratory wheeze and cough. He was miserable until we took a nice warm bath with the vapor bath and then I Vicks-ed his feet and chest up good. Night before last he (WE) was up 3 times, last night I heard him cough once. Very Happy

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Jackie, Brian, Asa and Gracyn

lcboomboom · Posted: February 18 2010, 10:42 AM Post subject:

One of our favorite congestion treatments is to run a super warm bath and put a dropper of eucalyptus oil under the running water. Keep the bathroom door shut and have a nice long play time in the bath. Trust me...you will ALL leave with clearer sinus passages than you had before bath time. I suppose it only works if you have a kiddle who likes the bath...I have two water bugs, so we use this one a lot.

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Mom to...
LC Grace (Pudge) 10/10/08
AVSD repair 2/16/09
Gtube 4/1/09

Jace Cortin (Biggie) 9/30/09
AVSD repair 2/3/10

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