Is it safe to use vicks vapor rub on a baby?

Baby vicks: There is a special formulation for babies and kiddos. Try putting it on the bottoms of their feet and then putting on thin socks so they don't get it everywhere. There is also a nice night-light/vaporizer that uses little medicated pads to spread the vapors around the room.

Probably: My mother was a huge Vicks fan; anytime my nose was close to running, i got dipped in a big vat of Vicks and slid into bed like a salami -- and i'm still here, so i suppose it's okay. Whether or not it actually helped, or just made my mom feel better, is another question.

Archaic practice: The native Americans used pine pitch to scent the steam in their sweat lodges.Vicks perpetuates the process and for older kids/adults it may have benefit.The tiny nostrils of babies will react to any fragrance as they would with smoke or dust.It produces nasal congestion and increases work of breathing. I never recommend it in infants, no mater what mom or grandma did.