Yes and yes! We used it before Christmas and it helped him breathe so much better.

My aunt swears by the Maty's brand, and it does smell better, but I don't know if it works any better.

Yes it's safe i used it on both my kids and my son sees the bottle and always wants it on lol he's 2 and my daughter is 6 months. It's not as strong as the adult one you can also try the vapor bath and if they are congested try the nose frida I swear by that thing as gross as it is it works wonders!!!!