Wednesday, January 23, 2008

End the Dreadful COUGHING

Right around Christmastime, something horrible came to our house.

THE COUGH.

As far as I could tell, it was just related to a common cold. Two trips with two different children to our pediatrician confirmed it. Nothing could be done.

But after TWO WEEKS of sleepless nights, listening to my toddlers cough, I was at the end of my rope.

Even though during the day, we need the coughing to clear out that nasty mucous, at night it's only frustrating. And my girls were coughing so much they ended up crying and gagging the night away. (Sorry - no intention to be disgusting here)

Our doctor is very adamantly opposed to cough suppressants. He suggested Benadryl to help them sleep more soundly. That didn't work. Even with his warning (and the fear of having their colds move into their chests), I tried several over-the-counter things to no avail.

My Sweet Mother, knowing how tired I was, said some ladies at church mentioned Vicks Vapor Rub. I'd tried that, too. No, she said, you put it on the bottom of their feet. What?

I was suspicious, but desperate.

Turns out, it works. Perfectly. We have been sleeping all night ever since. And with the added rest, the children are getting better by leaps and bounds. Amazing.

Now that this golden knowledge has been passed on to me, I'm finding that many of my family and friends were holding out. They KNEW this, and yet didn't TELL me.

So, in the interest of being kind and helpful, I'm passing this on to you.

And if you use the cream (instead of the ointment), it's easy and mess-free.

Vicks on the bottom of your feet kills the cough. It works for me!

Happy sleeping!

Check back at Rocks in My Dryer for more WFMW posts!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I'm going through this with my two year old. I can't wait to try it tonight.

April

non-blogger

Anonymous said...

My husband taught me that trick, passed down to him through his mom, and abuela (gramma for the non-spanish speakers out there). Not only do you put vicks on your feet, but you also rub it on your chest, and put just a smidge under your nose. works every time.

Kim said...

Ok that is interesting - I only ever put it on my son's chest, back and under the nose.

Any idea why putting in on the soles of the feet work?

Amy said...

I've heard of this but never tried it. The smell of Vick's makes me gag all on it's own, so we generally don't keep it around the house! I've read that honey also works well.

Anonymous said...

I've heard this, but haven't had a chance to try it out! Thanks for reminding me!

HomeSchool Mommy said...

I'm like you (and your ped), we like to cough, because it's one of God's gifts to help our bodies rid toxins/invaders. BUT, I'm also like you...you NEED rest to heal and it's hard to rest when you're coughing all night.

I can't wait to try this next time! Thank you!

Elizabeth

Lori Leigh said...

This really does work. I don't know why, but I've used this trick before with bad coughing and it really is amazin. I am SO sorry I didn't even think about it. It is one of those things I remember to pull out of my hat when things get really bad around here and somehow it magically works. This is it isn't it... the end of our friendship..... I feel so bad my brain did not think to tell you about it. I guess I just assumed you knew,... I mean, I'm the one who calls YOU to find out things like this! :) That must be it,... I must have thought you already knew. Well, at least you know now! I'm glad it is working!

Anonymous said...

What a coincidence that I read about this today. Yesterday my mom told me about this very thing - she had read it on the internet. One of my boys just got over the croup and the other was coughing pretty badly too. I tried it last night and NO COUGHING!! I will always keep some on hand!!

Saph said...

Thanks for the tip. I read that onions also work on the feet and they turn a certain color as it draws out the toxins or something.

The Roaming Southerner said...

I'm going through this right now!!!! I will totally use it! Do you put socks on over the vapor rub?

Lori Leigh said...

I really think I like blogging more than facebook. Maybe I just haven't gotten IN to it yet.

And I put socks over the vapor rub when I've done it. But I used the ointment and it was kind of messy so the socks helped keep it contained.

Anonymous said...

This is a BRILLIANT idea! I am so glad you posted it! Thanks! I am so excited to try it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the information. The onions on the feet sound interesting too. I may have to try both. Thanks for participating in the WFMW!

vicvic said...

Wow - that's one I've never heard before. How is it possible that I've never heard it before? I'll have to try it!

Anonymous said...

I love your blog! You are so funny and articulate. You have such great advice also. Thanks for sharing!

Lori Leigh said...

So what about the Triaminic purple stuff? Do you guys use that? My mom recently told me she heard you weren't supposed to use that on kids under 6 which was news to me. Do you know anything about that? Is that what your doctor was talking about?

Laura said...

Mucinex also works well. If you are an adult, use the Musinex DM. FANTASTIC!!!

Anonymous said...

LOVE the Mucinex DM. I got the stuff that is behind the counter (no RX needed) and it costs a small fortune and you have to give them your SS#, name and blood sample (just kiddin) but it was SO WORTH IT! I had a bad sinus infection and that is the only thing that really seemed to help (well, the antibiotics did too... but other than that)!!

Mrs. Troop said...

Love all of the comments!
The Mucinex DM doesn't help with kid coughs! I thought it helped me, but when I took it I COULD NOT sleep. Like for days.
I don't put socks on the kids feet with the vapor rub. But I'm using the cream - it soaks right in. The bonus is that I tell them they can't walk with it on their feet - so they stay in bed! HA!
I used to use the purple Triaminic, but my Pediatrician is REALLY against that (the kind with the cough suppressant). I do still give them the decongestant, sometimes. And yes, I use it for the younger ones, but that's a big controversy right now.

Lori Leigh said...

Thanks! When I use Mucinex, I take Benadryl with it at night to sleep (my doctor told me to do that) and it worked fine. I'll need to check on that vapor rub cream! Thannks for all the info!

Jeni said...

Wow, this makes absolutely no sense, but everyone says it works! I'll have to try it for myself when the next cold hits our house!

Christine @ Serenity How? said...

We use it under the nose and on the chest, but I have never heard of using it on the feet. My oldest is getting over a cough and we're going to try it tonight. Thanks so much for the tip!

Love your blog. :-)