Wichita Falls store posts unusual mom's hack for babies on Facebook and it becomes a hit

An eyebrow-raising mom’s hack for a congested baby went viral globally after Wichitan Crystal Snider posted it on the Facebook page for Melons & Cuties, her small business.

A client sent a photo of a turquoise-colored vibrator placed on her infant's back to Snider, who offers lactation, birth and wellness services.

“Our customer shares her remedy for chest congestion!! Use on baby’s back while sitting in a steamy bathroom,” Snider wrote in the Jan. 8 post.

Monday, Snider said she doesn’t sell vibrators but hoped the knowledge would help moms in the trenches.

“I just thought, ‘Here’s something someone might have on hand in the middle of the night when they need something for their fussy baby,’ ” the mother of five said.

The Huffington Post, in a 2016 list of five tips on relieving congestion, suggested vibrators as a solution for clogged sinuses.

"First, vibrate your sinuses with a small body massager or vibrator — yes, it can be that kind of vibrator (!) or you can try a face vibrator like this one — to help loosen and dislodge thick mucus," wrote Beth Levine of Grandparents.com. "Set the vibrator to low, place it on your cheekbones and run along the bone toward your nose to open up the maxillary sinuses, for a few minutes.

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Snider was surprised when the social media post blew up on Facebook. It had 23,000 comments by Monday morning.

“So many of the comments were tagging people who had a sick baby,” Snider said.

By then, 4.4 million had seen it, 16,800 had shared it and 3.1 million had engaged with it in some way, Snider said.

In addition, the Melons & Cuties page garnered 2,322 more likes for a total of 4,622, she said.

Commenters also pointed to using vibration to unclog breast ducts and prevent infection that can hinder breast feeding, as well as to keep the lungs clear of babies with cardiac issues, Snider said.

Some readers might find some photos and comments made in jest over the top, so be forewarned if you should check it out.

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Snider didn’t have any qualms about posting the photo, she said.

“We don’t view women’s body and sexuality and things like that as gross or bad,” she said. “I think it’s only dirty, gross if you’re thinking that way.”

Reaction has tended to be supportive.

“Whatever it takes to keep your baby healthy,” a Tasmania woman wrote on the post.

“A little weird but would most definitely help. My nephew has a pulmonary disorder and he has to do treatments every night using a vest that vibrates his chest and allows the fluids to break loose,” a Missouri woman commented.

Snider said she treasures that the idea has lightened so many people’s days.

A Galveston woman wrote: “You now have a totally legit explanation if you drop it in public...like in the middle of Starbucks."

Snider thanked everyone who has shown support.

“It’s good to see moms encouraged to use things readily available to help with wellness and not be shamed for it! We’ve been laughing for days... ,” she wrote recently on the post.

MORE:Melons and Cuties offers lactation, birth and wellness services

Snider has weathered some negative reactions.

About two days ago, she commented: “For those of you calling us pervs, pedophiles or worse. You have a very unhealthy view of sexuality, parenting and can "buzz" off. Thanks so much!”

She said she deletes links to pages selling the product and sometimes hides negative comments.

“I don’t really hide anything that’s funny. It’s just when people are mom-shaming or something like that,” Snider said.

She doesn’t have to do much right now because moms take care of negative posters, she said.

Her stats show only one person reported the post to Facebook, and three hid it from their newsfeeds, she said.

“I’m more worried about the response in this town than anywhere else,” Snider said.

Media outlets, including Kidspot and Mammamia in Australia, contacted her to do stories or for permission to publish the photo.

“They’re way more supportive there in Australia. They’re like, ‘Oh, I’m going to try this,’ ” Snider said.

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