Vapour Rub

If you want to use vapour rub on your baby to soothe decongestion, you must use one that is specially formulated for babies, such as Vicks Baby Rub. Do not use regular vapour rub on your baby as it contains medicine that may be harmful.

Decongestants are typically safe to use during pregnancy as they don’t contain enough medicine to harm the baby.

However, nasal decongestants tend to be safer as the product is absorbed within the nose and does not spread to the rest of the body.

The short-term use of a decongestant should be fine but always speak to your doctor or pharmacist beforehand to ensure that it’s safe for you and your baby.

A decongestant clears up congestion, helping you to breathe easier.

Congestion is caused when the blood vessels in your nose dilate, causing inflammation and discomfort.

Decongestant treatments help to narrow these blood vessels, and with the swelling reduced, it allows more air to pass through and the mucus to drain, providing relief for cold and flu symptoms.

The symptoms for cold and flu are similar, so it can be hard to tell the difference.

But the best way to tell the difference is how well you’re able to go about your day.

If you have a cold, you won’t feel great, but you can probably go into work and go to the shops - if you have the flu, you will most likely be bedridden until the worst of it passes.

Cold symptoms appear gradually, whereas the flu is sudden.