When you're a parent with a sick baby, then it's reasonable that you'd try anything available to help nurse your child back to health again - no matter how strange or potentially embarrassing. This week however, one ingenious mom has managed to provoke division and controversy on social media, after using her vibrator to soothe her baby's chest congestion. Is this totally fine and acceptable, or is this completely inappropriate and wrong? The general public can't seem to agree.
The trouble began when the parenting-themed Facebook page ‘Melons and Cuties’, shared an image of a baby lying on her front, with her mother holding the sex toy next to the child's back - using the vibration to sooth them. The post was captioned: "Our customer shares her remedy for chest congestion!! Use on baby’s back while sitting in a steamy bathroom. Note that many hospitals and respiratory therapists use these in the treatment of respiratory issues on the BACK in hospital settings. It is common practice. We are just sharing the information and do NOT sell this product. *We do not support mom-shaming and those comments will be deleted. [ic]]
However, that didn't stop a number of commenters from expressing outrage and shock over the post. One Facebook-user wrote: "And here I am using Sudafed when I could be getting toe-curling congestion relief. Obviously not living my best life, y’all," while another added: "No thanks, not wasting my batteries on the child."
However, other people seemed to appreciate the funny side of the situation, with one commenter writing: " I tried this trick with my son, he was crying for hours one night so I chucked the Mrs’ vibrator on his back and he settled in minutes... The only problem is he now talks with a stutter." Meanwhile, someone else commented: "Explains why my girlfriend breathes so much easier than I do."
The Facebook page later posted an update in the comments section, writing: "Love hearing the stories of babies who have been helped in NICU wards and hospitals and even some who have been sent home with them. Thank you for the mostly-positive support of such an easy and practical use of something that you can find in many households. When moms are in the trenches, its the middle of the night with a sick child, this is something they may not have thought of. For those of you calling us pervs, paedophiles or worse. You have a very unhealthy view of sexuality, parenting and can 'buzz' off."
They added: "Thank you all for keeping the comments supportive (mostly). It’s good to see moms encouraged to use things readily available to help with wellness and not be shamed for it!"
So what do you guys think? Personally, I think that it is a little bit weird. But on the other hand, would I want a screaming baby for days on end? Absolutely not.
