Fragrance In Baby Products: Safe Or Not?

Babies have a highly sensitive sense of smell, which they use to bond with their parents and understand the world around them. While some sources suggest that fragrance can enhance sensory development and help parents and babies bond, others warn that certain chemicals found in fragrances can be harmful to babies' health and development. So, what's the verdict? Can babies use products with fragrance?

Fragrance can enhance sensory development

The sense of smell is one of the most important senses for human beings, as it plays a crucial role in the physiological effects of mood, stress, and working capacity. The olfactory system is responsible for detecting thousands of different fragrance molecules through a large family of olfactory receptors, and it is directly connected to the brain's cognitive functions, including memory, thoughts, and emotions.

The inhalation of certain fragrances has been shown to positively impact human psychophysiological activity, and this effect is particularly prominent in the first years of life when babies' senses are still developing.

Fragrances with stimulating and excitatory effects include birch tar, galbanum, heliotropine, jasmine, lavender, lemon, and peppermint. These fragrances have been shown to increase theta brain waves, which are associated with subconscious fears, worries, and nightmares, as well as short-term memory and the process of building memories.

On the other hand, fragrances with sedative effects include lemon, lavender, and sandalwood, which have been found to decrease alpha and beta brain waves, leading to improved productivity and a more relaxed state.

Additionally, the quality of fragrances is essential, as low-quality fragrances may contain harmful chemicals that can cause discomfort, rashes, redness, dryness, and itchiness, especially in babies with sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema.

Overall, the appropriate use of fragrances can have a positive impact on sensory development, particularly when combined with other sensory stimuli such as music or massage. However, it is crucial to use fragrances sparingly and consult medical professionals for guidance on the safe use of fragrances with babies.

Scent can help you and your baby bond

Scent is an important component of the bond between a mother and her baby. Mothers often spend the first few moments with their newborns bonding skin-to-skin, taking in the "new baby scent". This scent is part of our brain chemistry. According to a 2013 study, brain scans of women showed that the body odour of 2-day-old newborns activated the reward-related cerebral areas of the brain. Interestingly, it didn't matter whether the participants had given birth or not; both mothers and non-mothers reacted to the baby scent as if it were an intoxicating drug.

Newborns use their sense of smell to recognize their mothers. In fact, babies can identify their mothers by scent alone. This olfactory recognition begins in the womb and helps a baby identify their mother. After birth, babies will pick up on the chemical scent properties of their mothers, preferring the scent of clothes worn by their mothers as opposed to other mothers.

Scent can also help babies bond with strangers. Maternal body odour signals to babies that they can safely build relationships with other adults. Babies are more socially receptive to unfamiliar women when they can smell their mother's natural body odour. When babies had their mother's t-shirt under their nose, they were more likely to smile, laugh, and gaze at the stranger than if they were sniffing an identical unworn t-shirt.

Scent can even help babies transition to social groups, explore new environments, and communicate with unfamiliar partners. For example, researchers in Japan found that infants who smelled their mother's milk while undergoing a routine procedure exhibited fewer signs of distress than babies who were exposed to another mother's milk, formula, or nothing at all. The scent of their mother's breast milk was enough to calm the newborns and ease pain.

Our olfactory system can detect stress levels, disease, and even relationships. As a result, parents and their children find each other's natural odours comforting, reassuring, and welcome.

Certain fragrances can calm your baby

It's no secret that babies are a lot of work and can keep you up at all hours. They're smart, too—they have built-in sensors that set off an alarm when you stop moving! But did you know that certain fragrances can help to calm your baby?

According to Alexandria Dinapoli Marzano, Senior Scientist at Baby Franchise R&D and Product Development, Johnson & Johnson, "Certain scents can encourage mother-baby bonding, reduce stress in infants, induce calm, soothe a little one before sleep and even help improve a baby's alertness and mood."

One of the most commonly recommended fragrances for calming babies is lavender, which has sedative and calming effects. A few drops of lavender essential oil on a pillow can help grown-ups fall asleep, and the same can be used to calm a fussy or crying baby when used in conjunction with swaddling, rocking, and feeding. You can also try diffusing lavender oil with a note of chamomile, a common scent used for babies, to create the perfect sleeping oasis.

Other fragrances with calming effects include chamomile, which is often used for babies who have trouble sleeping, and vanilla, which has been used as a home remedy since the 17th century to relieve anxiety and depression.

It's important to note that while fragrances can be helpful, they should be used in moderation and with caution. Babies have delicate and sensitive skin, and some fragrances may contain harmful chemicals that can cause irritation or allergic reactions. It's always best to opt for high-quality, natural fragrances that are free from potentially dangerous ingredients.

In addition, while fragrance can be a powerful tool, it should be used as part of a larger calming routine for your baby. This might include a warm bath, gentle music, and a gentle massage with scented lotion or cream.

By incorporating calming fragrances into your bedtime routine, you can help your baby relax and drift off to sleep more easily, resulting in a better night's rest for both you and your little one.

Fragrances may cause skin irritation

Fragrances are commonly added to skin care products to provide a pleasant scent. While fragrance chemicals have a long history of safe use, at high concentrations, some may act as irritants to the skin and respiratory system.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by fragrance irritating the outer layer of the skin. This can disrupt the skin barrier and make the skin more sensitive. Signs of a damaged barrier include dryness, redness, itching, stinging, and breakouts.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the fragrance is recognized as a foreign molecule by the skin, activating an immune response. Skin can become red and inflamed with patches of dryness, flaking, and itching. Fragrance allergy may also present as a type of eczema, and in severe cases can cause swelling and blistering.

Other Reactions

Other reactions to fragrances include respiratory irritation, such as asthma-like symptoms, and non-immunological contact urticaria, which is a dose-related reaction of the non-immunological type.

Sensitive Skin

Those with sensitive or acne-prone skin and those with chronic skin conditions such as eczema are more likely to experience negative reactions to fragrances and should try to avoid fragranced skin care products.

Patch Testing

If you are unsure whether you are sensitive to a fragranced product, it is recommended to do a patch test. This involves applying a small amount of the product to a small area of skin, such as behind the ear or on the neck, and observing any reaction over a few days.

Alternative Options

For those with sensitive skin, there are many fragrance-free skincare options available, including cleansers, exfoliants, serums, and moisturizers.

Fragrances may cause respiratory irritation

Fragrances are commonly added to baby products to provide a pleasant scent and create a positive psychological impact. However, at high concentrations, fragrance chemicals can act as respiratory irritants or sensitisers.

Health Risks of Fragrances

The exact health effects of fragrance exposure are not yet fully understood. However, some individuals may experience headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, and exacerbation of allergies and asthma due to fragrance exposure.

Babies' Increased Fragrance Sensitivity

It is generally accepted that infants and young children are more sensitive to chemical irritation than adults due to their developing physiology. They also have higher inhalation rates per body weight and higher activity levels, leading to greater inhalation exposure.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Research indicates that many fragrances in products such as lotions, shampoos, and wipes contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and allergens. Exposure to VOCs can lead to respiratory irritation, skin allergies, and other potential health issues in young children.

Recommendations

To ensure the health and safety of your baby, it is recommended to choose skincare products that are fragrance-free, phthalate-free, and made with baby-safe ingredients. Fragrances may cause respiratory irritation, especially in babies with sensitive skin or eczema.

Frequently asked questions