Parenting Without Fear: Maty’s Baby Chest Rub

Growing up with allergies and numerous respiratory issues it was commonplace for my parents to use Vicks VapoRub. Every time my mom or dad rubbed that into my chest I can remember thinking “This stuff never actually works.” As a result, I haven’t used it on myself in years and certainly never on my kids.

When I dug a little deeper and looked into what ingredients are used in Vicks, I found parabens galore, turpentine oil, and petroleum among other things. Considering our skin can absorb just as much if not more than our digestive system, abstaining from products containing parabens and turpentine oil is a no-brainer.

If that wasn’t enough, a 2009 study in the Journal of American College of Chest Physicians revealed that Vicks VapoRub actually stimulated mucus production and airway inflammation in infants and young children.

I was right! That stuff doesn’t actually work!

Enter our partner Maty’s Healthy Products, and their Baby Chest Rub. On the very front of the container it states “petroleum and menthol free.” That’s a good start. On the side of the box, they go a step further in stating “NO petroleum, fragrances, hydrogenated oils, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial colors, mineral oils, gluten, or chemicals.” That’s a product speaking to my holistic senses.

The next question was “What ingredients do they use?” They are listed as follows: sunflower oil, castor oil, coconut oil, sunflower wax, vitamin E and essential oils of chamomile, lavender, dill weed, and patchouli, eucalyptus radiata and coriander. Nothing I can complain about, that’s for sure.

But the important question was “What does it smell like?” I don’t know why, but I expected it to smell vapor-y, like the eucalyptus/menthol fumes of Vicks. Thankfully, with an ingredient list like that, I was greeted with a really fresh, uplifting scent. I felt some slight congestion in my sinuses, so I rubbed a tiny amount beneath my nostrils and the congestion immediately disappeared—all without the menthol fumes. 15 minutes later, the congestion was still gone. When I tried that with Vicks as a child, I remember the congestion coming back within minutes.

All in all, Maty’s Baby Chest Rub is a solid product. It’s responsibly made and it’s safe for babies three months and up. Maty’s hired essential oil expert, Robert Tisserand, to analyze their formula for its safety and effectiveness. According to Mr. Tisserand, his research indicates that at Maty’s dilutions, their baby chest rub is safe for babies over three months.

As an added bonus, it’s made here in the United States, and contains ingredients I know won’t cause cancer in my kids’ bodies or mine. I don’t know about you, but that’s a big deal to me.

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