To prevent the risk of breathing difficulties and lung and skin irritation, child experts have advised parents to avoid wearing perfumes on babies, especially newborns.
The paediatricians stated that most baby soaps, powders and creams already contained approved fragrances and child-friendly scents, noting that wearing perfumes could cause overstimulation of fragrances to the babies, leading to breathing difficulties, among other respiratory distresses.
The child specialists, in separate interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, further explained that because newborns have developing respiratory systems, exposure to strong scents may trigger respiratory discomfort.
The experts urged parents to ensure that while they want their babies to smell nice, they shouldn’t do so at the expense of causing harm to their babies.
They further advised parents who insist on wearing perfumes on their babies to ensure they were baby-friendly fragrances and applied in small quantities on the baby’s clothes, minutes before wearing them.
PUNCH Healthwise previously reported that many adult perfumes contain chemicals like parabens and phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors linked to skin irritation, infertility, and an increased risk of certain cancers.
Several studies also show that chemicals contained in fragrances could cause skin sensitivities, rashes and dermatitis. Early exposure of children to these chemicals has further been established to increase the risk of respiratory problems.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that the use of baby perfumes is becoming a fad among parents, who are most often introduced to them by traders, influencers, other parents and relatives.
Commenting on the matter, a paediatrician at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State, Prof Ben Onankpa, said that heavy and prolonged exposure to fragrances, especially untested and non-baby-friendly ones, could cause harm to babies.
He listed skin irritation, coughing and respiratory distress as the reactions babies could have to perfumes.
The don said, “Skin irritation, because the baby’s skin is still developing, and it might not be able to absorb some of the ingredients that are used in making the fragrance.
“Also, when they inhale it, it can cause lung irritation. Some babies may start coughing. It can also give them some form of respiratory distress, and the parents would begin to wonder why the baby is coughing. That’s why we don’t advise direct skin exposure and prolonged exposure to perfumes that are not specifically made for babies.”
He further warned that mothers who place camphor or naphthalene balls in their babies’ wardrobes risk exposing them to harmful chemicals that can trigger jaundice and potentially lead to brain damage.
Onankpa added, “Prolonged, heavy, and regular exposure of fragrance to babies is frowned at, especially the adult type. The soap and cream for babies also have fragrance, but they have been tested not to cause any harm to newborns or infants in general.”
The child expert further advised parents who must wear baby perfumes to desist from putting them directly on the skin, recommending that the baby-formulated perfumes should be sprayed in small quantities on the clothes, minutes before the child wears them.
“Babies don’t have a strong body odour. When they are well bathed, they are okay. Some baby soaps have a good fragrance that is safe for the baby. The baby powder is also enough. It is best to avoid baby fragrance or perfume completely; the soap and a little powder rubbed on their back is enough,” Onankpa stated.
Also, a paediatric dermatologist, Dr Hauwa Makarfi, advised parents against using perfumes on babies, noting that most baby products are already mildly scented with appropriate fragrances.
She warned that exposing babies to perfumes could trigger allergic rhinitis or respiratory issues, as well as skin irritation from reactions to the chemicals in the perfumes.
Makarfi, who is the Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists, said, “If it is sprayed directly on the skin and there are some chemicals that the child is allergic to or reacting to, it can cause skin irritation, whether it is contact dermatitis or burns, depending on the components.
“Also, there are some things parents use, such as camphor, naphthalene balls and some other things put inside baby wardrobes and clothes. But some chemicals can cause Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in certain individuals with some enzymes, which can cause recurrent jaundice and other problems, especially in newborns.”
The paediatric dermatologist further advised parents to maintain proper hygiene for their babies as a more effective way to prevent unpleasant odours, rather than resorting to masking them with perfumes.
