Alternatives to Baby Vicks

[Climbergirl]

So my LO has been VERY congested at night. He is fine until he lays down and then it is so bad. He wakes up frustrated. In turn, DH and I both wake up. I am running of 4 hours of sleep right now and getting sick because of it.

Is there anything I can do? Is there a rub I can make to use on him. The Vicks rub seems to be nothing more than vaseline with smelly stuff to clear the nose.

I just want to sleep!

[snanna]

Saline up the nose. Like 'Ocean' brand, but you can use any. Or make your own solution as you would for using in a neti pot (using salt without additives), then drop it in with a dropper. It works even better than breastmilk (also a good substance to stick up there for congestion) at loosening up the breathing, and helping the baby's nose clear enough to stay asleep for a while. Good luck!

[mama_daba]

any recomendation for when breast milk and saline are not enough? we are having the same problem here. baby is to congested to get much sleep and i have been doing breast milk up his nose but that seems to have stopped working

[j_e_n_n_y]

Here are a few other options...

Sniffles by Erbaviva:
http://www.erbaviva.com/detail.asp?S...Cat=01&subcat=

Sniffles by Dimpleskins:
http://www.amazon.com/Dimpleskins-Na.../dp/B000IS9D20

Ah-choo by Nature's Baby:
http://naturesbabyproducts.com/organic_chest-rub.html

[sweetirishCT]

Aura Cacia makes scent diffusers that you can get menthol etc inserts for. Menthol is one of the potent smells in the vicks that makes the nasal passages feel better. It is a good alternative to putting something directly on the skin. Also, a cool mist humidifier can't be stressed enough. They make a HUGE difference! Do yourself a favor and invest in a good one from Home Depot or Lowe's, one with a washable filter. You will save $$ in the long run.
Hope your LO feels better soon!

[tracyhos]

You can add some Eucalyptus EO and lavendar EO to a humidifer/ vaporizer and the room will smell like Vicks or vicks-ish with out having to put anything on your babe. We do this when we've got bad cold/congestion at our house, and it really helps!

I got the idea from Dr. Sears website.

[Dmajsmommy]

Beeyoutiful Has a Winter Breeze Natural Vapor Rub

www.beeyoutiful.com

[Eibhlin]

I use this product: http://www.gaiaherbs.com/product.php?id=236
I rub it on baby's feet and then put socks on- it has worked really well for us. Aside from that I definitely recommend using a saline solution, and steam (eg. from a shower) is also a very good decongestant.

[artemis33]

Originally Posted by Eibhlin

I use this product: http://www.gaiaherbs.com/product.php?id=236
I rub it on baby's feet and then put socks on- it has worked really well for us. Aside from that I definitely recommend using a saline solution, and steam (eg. from a shower) is also a very good decongestant.

We have that rub too. We also use it on chest/feet.

I like a couple drops of lavender EO in the vaporizer EO dispenser spot. I do eucalyptus EO steams in a pot in the kitchen but I don't care for it in the bedroom....

[acupuncturemomma]

I like this homemade rub:

Vapor Rub
1/2 teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil
1/8 teaspoon peppermint essential oil
1/8 teaspoon rosemary essential oil
1/8 teaspoon clary sage essential oil
1/4 cup olive oil

Mix ingredients together in a glass bottle (not plastic as the essential oils will bleed into it making the rub less effective) and shake well. Massage onto chest as often as needed.


Got it from an old thread in the toddler forum.

[snitker79]

Our MW suggested using Icy Hot along the neck glands, just a thin little strip, and rub it in before going to bed. It heats up the glands and helps them to loosen up all the gunk. She also said to do garlic ear oil treatments as congestion usually stems from the ears being full, even if they aren't pulling or tugging at the ears.

We do this at the first signs of getting sick and it seems to help us. As well as humidify with EO.

Hope you get to feeling better soon.

[beansricerevolt]

Originally Posted by acupuncturemomma

I like this homemade rub:

Vapor Rub
1/2 teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil
1/8 teaspoon peppermint essential oil
1/8 teaspoon rosemary essential oil
1/8 teaspoon clary sage essential oil
1/4 cup olive oil

Mix ingredients together in a glass bottle (not plastic as the essential oils will bleed into it making the rub less effective) and shake well. Massage onto chest as often as needed.


Got it from an old thread in the toddler forum.

Im going to try this!


Also, letting the shower run to bring humidity in the bathroom works well! Drop a couple drops off eucalyptus EO or peppermint into the plugged tub. We do this trick and it works wonders.

Also, the breast milk in nose like a pp mentioned. Squirt it in and suck it back out with a aspirator thing.

[mamavegan]

Originally Posted by Eibhlin

I use this product: http://www.gaiaherbs.com/product.php?id=236
I rub it on baby's feet and then put socks on- it has worked really well for us. Aside from that I definitely recommend using a saline solution, and steam (eg. from a shower) is also a very good decongestant.

We use that one as well.

[infraread]

We use a little pillow stuffed with dried peppermint and flax, and DS will cuddle with it or stick it on or near his pillow at night.

[Sustainer]

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=753200

[milky_mama]

Originally Posted by acupuncturemomma

I like this homemade rub:

Vapor Rub
1/2 teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil
1/8 teaspoon peppermint essential oil
1/8 teaspoon rosemary essential oil
1/8 teaspoon clary sage essential oil
1/4 cup olive oil

Mix ingredients together in a glass bottle (not plastic as the essential oils will bleed into it making the rub less effective) and shake well. Massage onto chest as often as needed.


Got it from an old thread in the toddler forum.

I made this last night for dh and dc's congestion and love it! Dh rubbed it on his chest and we put some on dc's feet and then put socks over them before night time like suggested. Thanks for the recipe! It's great!

[girlygirls3]

Any thoughts on the Badger Night Night balm... does this work like a baby vicks?