S/O Vicks BabyRub

Melissa2216

A couple of you mentioned putting it on their feet with socks at bedtime.  What's the reason for this?  As a kid, I remember my mom using Vicks on my chest, but I would never think to put it on their feet.

SarahP15

I have no idea but it really seemed to help.  I remember hearing about it a long time ago so when DS got sick, I googled it and a lot of people swore by it so we gave it a shot.  He was coughing much less last night than he has been today during the day (we have not reapplied) and he even slept in until 7:30 this morning which is 1.5 hours later than normal! 

I'm not sure how it helps, but we are going to continue it!

KYBABY2011

I think it's so they can't get it on their hands and into their mouths. We put it on his feet and then on his belly with his pajamas over it. 

Melissa2216

KYBABY2011:

I think it's so they can't get it on their hands and into their mouths. We put it on his feet and then on his belly with his pajamas over it. 

Ok, that makes sense.  Thanks ladies!  I will definitely pick some up to have on hand for his next cold!

Marcilene1

According to the very light research that I've done on this, it's because for some reason they absorb the Vick's better through their feet.  I don't question it, I just know it works lol. 

emilys629

I believe it's an old wives tale. But I do it anyways!

Sunidaze

KYBABY2011:

I think it's so they can't get it on their hands and into their mouths. We put it on his feet and then on his belly with his pajamas over it. 

. i don't know...i think plenty of adults do this too

tsargentj

I have to say, it definitely worked for us! I had been applying to his chest for a couple of days.... but then I applied to his feet one night as well and the next morning his nose was about 90% cleared out! I couldn't believe it! I'm definitely doing it from now on!

sunset+skies

emilys629:

I believe it's an old wives tale. But I do it anyways!

If you read up on vicks, it's actually nothing that passes into the body through the skin that helps. It's through breathing the vapours (hence the name VAPORub) that you get the relief.

Babies are short enough that putting it on their feet still means some of the vapours are close enough to give some help, but at the same time, you aren't putting camphor and eucalyptus oil on a larger, more sensitive patch of skin.