Summer always had colds, she had a bad chest due to CF which I think is the cause of it as I have asthma also and I get colds often. She was about 5 months old and I wanted to try something to ease her off. I thought a little cold wasn't enough to merit any sort of medication, so I asked my pharmacy what she thought would help. She told me the exact same that it was better to allow colds to heal by themselves, however she said I wasn't wrong wanting to buy something that helps. This is when she suggested vapour rub.

Since summer's nursery wasn't finished, she was sleeping with me in the travel cot and I hated the idea of having vapour rub in the room. I hated the smell as it was too over-powering. Also, my fiancé was staying as he had a business trip and he claimed there was no way he could possibly sleep with menthol crystals or baby rub in the room. However, the pharmacist told me it wasn't as strong as vapour rub, and my finace had went back home so I thought it was a wise idea to give it a try. It was only £1.50 for a little tub which I thought was very useful.

I rubbed a little bit around Summer's cot, which then turned out to be a bad idea as she woke up the next morning, put her hand on the edge if the cot, put the hand in her mouth, and it was a huge palava ! However, I also tried rubbing a little plastic bowl all over with it and placing boiling water it in it to help soothe her.

I have to be honest and say it did stink a little, but it was not even half as overpowering as I thought it would be. The fist night I tried it, it had no effect as she was sniffling all night. However, night two was a success and she slept like a baby, good thing since she is a baby!! You can also rub a little on the back, I tried it on my skin and it is completely sting-free, I find Vicks has a weird tang feeling which I don't think would be suitable for delicate skin. I could smell her the next morning, so the babies need a good scrubbing afterwards.

The pharmacsist said it would work for me also, but I think she was telling fibs when she said this. It was good for little summer, but had no effect on me and I definitely needed something stronger. The odd occasion I would rub it under my nose and it would work fairly well. But don't let anyone fool you by making them think it's suitable for you and you're baby, because it isn't really.

I don't see why any parent shouldn't have this in their cupboard. I have over ¾ of a tub left and this is the 3rd winter I've been using it. The stuff works great, and is an absolute value.