This is going to sound silly, but I recently received an e-mail from a friend that suggested putting Vapor Rub on the bottoms of a baby's feet before bed to relieve a cough. I laughed at first, thinking it was one of those bizarre chain letters.

About a week later, d/s got a very bad cough. I tried steaming the bathroom, vapor bath, humidifier & then in desperation remembered the e-mail. I tried it and he slept COUGH-FREE for six hours straight! Coincidence? Maybe, but I used it every night for the remainder of his cold and he slept straight through each night without coughing once, even though he was still coughing throughout the daytime hours.

There is probably no medical evidence that this is a true remedy. Dr. J, have you heard of this? Do you have any information on why this might have been the case?

Dancermom, I've done the vapor rub on the feet trick, my grandma taught it to me, she used to put it on our feet and make us sleep with socks on, she also stuck it up our nose lol!! It worked for me, don't know how but it did. My ped does not reccommend vicks, I can't understand how it's not ok to use when they sell it for babies!! In light of all the other recalls of everything else that can help ease a childs cold I feel safe using vicks, My mom used it on me all the time, and I'm fine!! It's such a horrible cold season, And I'm not one to medicate my kids, but I don't see how it's fair to make a child ride out a nasty cold when I know I wouldn't,when I'm too sick to be half-way comfortable I'm going to take something, I don't see how it's right to make kids suffer, I mean if it's not keeping them down, then sure don't medicate,but if they're miserable there should be something and you shouldn't have to feel bad or be worried in using it!

I've done honey and lemon in hot water for a sore throat, but never a cough.

My mom's remedy for a sore throat that I still use is jello. Mix the jello up as normal but don't put it in the fridge to harden, just drink it warm! If it does start to set, microwaving will reliquify it. The combination of the high level of sugar and the gelatin help coat the throat. I know it's a lot of sugar, but since they are sick does it really mater? I need to try the sugar free version for myself.

My mom used to make me hot Jello to drink when I was little, usually if I had a sore throat (which was oh, ALWAYS), but I've gotten migraines as far back as I can remember and they make me so nauseous...she used to give it to me to settle my stomach. Green Jello is my favorite.

AND, I've tried the sugar-free and it takes a little different, but definitely fine.