Anisha Riggs
The use of perfume on or around babies is a controversial topic. While some sources claim that baby perfume can be beneficial for bonding and creating memories, others argue that it may be harmful due to the presence of chemicals and potential skin and lung irritation. The sense of smell is highly sensitive in newborns, and they rely on it to navigate their world, understand their surroundings, and bond with their caregivers. However, the widespread use of fragrances in consumer products can result in multiple exposures for infants throughout the day, and the potential impact on their health and development is a cause for concern. As such, it is recommended to avoid exposing infants to unnecessary chemicals and strong fragrances, especially during the early stages of their lives.
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What You'll Learn
Babies' sense of smell is highly sensitive
A baby's sense of smell is highly sensitive from the day they are born, and they use it to help them understand the world around them. In fact, a baby's sense of smell begins to develop before they are born, with scent receptors forming by the second trimester. As they breathe and swallow amniotic fluid in the womb, they become familiar with its scent, which is similar to that of their mother's breast milk.
Because the sense of smell is closely related to taste, it influences what a baby does and doesn't like to eat. Familiar smells, including their mother's scent and the aroma of their favourite places, are comforting to a baby and play a role in bonding. For example, when a baby is cuddled by its mother, both the baby and mother experience higher levels of the hormone oxytocin. The sense of smell also has a strong connection with a baby's emotions.
Babies are highly sensitive to strong smells, which can interfere with their sense of taste. Strong perfumes and heavily scented products can cover up familiar, comforting smells, such as that of a parent or breast milk. They can also be harmful to a baby's health and development. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid wearing highly perfumed or fragranced skin products around babies.
However, some companies, such as Mustela, produce baby perfumes that are made with safe, pure, and natural ingredients. These perfumes are designed to be sprayed onto the chest before nursing to enhance the bonding experience between a parent and their baby.
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Potential skin damage and irritation
The potential harm of perfumes and fragrances on newborn babies is a cause for concern. While there is no strong evidence of the harmful effects of perfume on newborns, they are more likely to be affected than adults due to their developing physiology and higher inhalation rates relative to body weight.
One concern is that perfumes could irritate and damage a newborn's skin. Associate Professor and Consultant Dermatologist David Orchard notes that unless a baby is born prematurely, their "skin integrity is sound". He suggests that the risk of skin irritation or damage from perfume is similar to that of any young child. However, he emphasizes the importance of shielding infants from unnecessary chemicals, as they can become allergic to various fragrances, albeit rarely.
The use of perfumes around newborns can also interfere with the mother-baby bond, which is strongly influenced by scent. Newborns have a highly sensitive sense of smell, which they use to identify their mothers and other family members. Strong fragrances can mask the natural scent of the mother, disrupting the bonding process.
Additionally, certain chemicals in perfumes, such as phthalates, have been suspected of acting as hormone disruptors, particularly in males. However, the association between phthalates and hormone disruption is considered weak by some studies.
To minimize potential skin irritation and other health risks, it is recommended to avoid applying perfumes directly to newborns or exposing them to strong fragrances in their environment. Instead, gentle soap and water are sufficient to maintain a pleasant scent for your baby.
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Lung irritation and health issues
While there is no definitive answer to the question of whether it is safe to use perfume on or around babies, there are several factors to consider regarding potential lung irritation and health issues. Firstly, it is important to recognize that a baby's sense of smell is highly sensitive from birth, as they use it to navigate their surroundings. Strong scents from perfumes can interfere with a newborn's ability to identify their caregivers and can be irritating to their senses.
Secondly, perfumes contain chemicals, and exposure to certain chemicals can be harmful to a baby's health and development. For example, some perfumes contain phthalates, which are suspected to be hormone disruptors, although the evidence for this association is weak. Additionally, babies have higher inhalation rates relative to their body weight compared to adults, increasing their exposure to any harmful chemicals present in perfumes.
Thirdly, while there is no strong evidence of harmful effects on newborns specifically, perfumes are known to act as lung irritants and cause health issues in adults, particularly those with pre-existing lung conditions. Due to their developing lungs, newborns are more susceptible to potential lung irritation from perfumes.
To minimize the risk of lung irritation and health issues, it is recommended to avoid using perfumes directly on or around newborns. Instead, focus on exposing them to familiar, natural smells, especially those of their parents, as this can be comforting and stimulating for their senses. Additionally, always review the ingredient labels of any baby products used to ensure they are free from potentially harmful chemicals.
Some companies, such as Mustela, claim to offer safe baby perfumes with natural, hypoallergenic ingredients. However, it is still important to exercise caution and consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action for your child's unique needs.
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The impact of fragrance on parent-child bonding
The sense of smell is processed by a part of the brain that also controls memory. It creates strong associations between particular scents and experiences. As a result, a scent may trigger a memory for a child in the future and remind them of a time or feeling from the past.
A baby's sense of smell is highly sensitive from the very beginning. They use it to help them understand the world around them. A newborn baby will not be able to recognise their mother by sight, but they will know her by her natural scent. This is because, while in the womb, babies breathe and swallow amniotic fluid, which has a smell similar to their mother's breast milk.
The use of fragrances can therefore have a significant impact on parent-child bonding. While some sources suggest that exposing a baby to familiar, natural smells, such as those of their parents, can be comforting and soothing, others argue that certain fragrances can also provide similar benefits. For example, baby perfumes can be used to create new memories and enhance the bonding experience between a parent and their child. However, it is generally advised to avoid highly perfumed or fragranced skin products in the early days of a baby's life, as they may bother the baby and prevent them from recognising their parent's natural scent.
There are also concerns about the potential health risks of exposing newborns to fragrances. While there is no clinical evidence that perfumes impact the lungs of newborns or cause asthma in infants, it may still be beneficial to reduce the number of foreign and strong chemicals that babies are exposed to. In addition, fragrances could potentially damage a newborn's skin, although the risk is said to be similar to that of any young child. To address these concerns, some companies have developed baby perfumes that are made with safe, natural ingredients and are free from harmful ingredients such as parabens, phenoxyethanol, and alcohol. These products undergo numerous safety tests and are often evaluated by independent groups and safety experts.
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The safety of perfume ingredients
Firstly, it is important to recognise that infants and young children are more susceptible to chemical irritation than adults due to their developing physiology. They also have higher metabolic rates, greater activity levels, and higher inhalation rates per body weight, leading to increased inhalation exposure. As such, it is recommended to conduct a complete exposure and risk assessment of any new ingredients in personal care products, especially those intended for infants and children.
Some specific ingredients in perfumes and other fragranced products have been identified as potentially harmful. For instance, phthalates are suspected of being hormone disruptors, particularly in males. Additionally, chemicals in fragrances can act as irritants and cause health issues in adults, especially those with lung problems. While there may be "no strong evidence" of harmful effects on newborns specifically, according to Professor Shyamali Dharmage, the head of allergy and lung health at the University of Melbourne's School of Population and Global Health, they are more likely to be impacted due to their developing lungs.
To address these concerns, some companies, such as Mustela, emphasise the safety of their baby perfume ingredients. Mustela's products are formulated in France, which has strict cosmetic safety guidelines, and they conduct over 450 safety experiments before releasing a product. Their baby perfume, Musti Eau de Soin Spray, is hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, and free from potentially harmful ingredients like parabens, Phenoxyethanol, and alcohol. Instead, it contains plant-based and natural ingredients like Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) flower extract and honey extract.
In conclusion, while the safety of perfume ingredients is a complex issue, it is crucial to prioritise the well-being of infants and children by opting for products with safe, natural ingredients and avoiding unnecessary exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is generally advised to not put perfume on babies. Their skin is sensitive and can be damaged by perfumes. Additionally, their lungs are in the development phase, and perfumes can act as an irritant.
Some people use baby perfume to create a bond and memories with their baby through the sense of smell.
Yes, natural smells such as those of the mother or father can be very comforting and soothing for a baby. Bathing the baby with gentle soap and water will also make them smell good.
Yes, Mustela's baby perfume is formulated in France, where the cosmetic safety guidelines are the strictest in the world. Over 450 safety experiments are conducted before the product reaches the consumer. It is hypoallergenic and free from parabens, phenoxyethanol, and alcohol.
