Does Perfume Bother Babies? Is it Safe for Your Baby?

As a parent, you want to make sure that your baby is safe. The same goes for when it comes to using perfume on them as well! There are a lot of questions that we may have before or even after using perfume for a baby. But, perhaps the most important question is – “Does Perfume Bother Babies?”

Perfumes can bother babies. Many perfumes contain chemicals such as Phthalates that are considered toxic. Fragrances can cause restlessness, mood swing, skin irritation, and allergic reactions in babies. In extreme cases, exposure to perfumes can even lead to eczema due to the delicate skin of a baby!

But, beyond that, as a parent, you may have several other questions related to this topic. For instance, when can you start wearing perfume again? What to do if your baby gets exposed to perfume? How to prevent it?

This blog post will answer all these questions and more on the topic of usage of perfume around babies, and what you should do in order to make sure they stay safe!

Can You Wear Perfume Around a Baby? Is it Harmful to the Baby?

If you are a perfume lover, it is quite common for you to want to wear your favorite fragrance all the time, even around your baby!

Important!
Avoid wearing perfume especially while breastfeeding. Babies tend to recognize the natural scent of the mother and breastfeeding is a great way for mother and child to bond!

One thing you should know before using any type of fragrance on your baby (or yourself) are the possible side effects of wearing perfumes with alcohol in them.

Alcohol can be drying to the skin and lead your baby’s sensitive, delicate pores open. This is why it may not always feel good for them when you wear perfume on yourself or around their environment because they are breathing in these chemicals that could irritate their lungs. You may notice that your baby will cough more frequently than usual!

One thing that you need to remember is that you should not be wearing any perfume while breastfeeding. Babies have a heightened sense of smell since most of their other senses aren’t fully developed yet. Furthermore, babies also tend to recognize the natural scent of the mother, and that helps with the bonding process of the mother and the baby.

Did You Know!
Alcohol present in the perfume can dry out your baby’s soft and delicate skin! It is better to use Alcohol Free Perfume Oil [on amazon] to prevent the side effects of alcohol on your baby. These natural perfumes are phthalates-free and are hypoallergenic by design.

Another thing about babies who have sensitive skin is that they may be more prone to breakouts on their skin and rashes. This could happen when you put perfume on your baby. Harmful chemicals in the perfume can cause irritation of the sensitive, delicate pores in their skin.

If this happens then stop using perfumes with alcohol immediately! You should also try not to wear any type of fragrance around them for a few days so that their skin can heal.

The best thing to do is just avoid wearing perfume on or around your baby altogether! If you want a little bit of fragrance, try using unscented lotion or body wash so that it doesn’t irritate the delicate pores in their skin and lead them open.

When Can You Start Wearing Perfume Again?

Many of you may have known that you shouldn’t be wearing any perfume around a baby! As hard as it is to avoid wearing your favorite scent, it is really annoying when other relatives totally ignore your request and wear the perfume when visiting!

This can make it extremely difficult to resist the urge and you may wonder, when can you start wearing perfume again around your baby?

As a mother, you should not start wearing perfume again as long as you are breastfeeding your baby. Primary caregivers should also avoid wearing strong perfume scents. Generally speaking, it is best to avoid wearing perfume around your baby at least for the first year or so.

Apart from the mothers, even fathers should take special care while using scented products including aftershave and colognes around the baby as they tend to spend the most amount of time with the baby throughout the day (and night).

Can Babies Wear Perfume? Is Perfume Safe for Babies?

Babies tend to poop, fart, and spit up at the most inconvenient of times and often without any warning! At times, you may be caught off-guard without any backup clothes.

If you are in a public space, you may be tempted to use some of your own perfume or deodorant in order to avoid or mask the foul smell. Don’t do that!

A better way to combat this situation would be to carry a perfume meant for babies (baby perfume) such as the Johnson & Johnson Baby Cologne for such emergency situations. It is free of alcohol, phthalates, or parabens!

I will always recommend that you avoid using perfume for babies on a daily basis. It can be used for such emergency situations, but that’s about it! But, that’s just my personal opinion.

It is true that not all babies will get affected by perfume. But, would you really want to take a chance?

However, if you are comfortable using perfume for your infant, there are a few things that you should keep in mind –

It’s best to avoid using perfume on a baby who has sensitive skin or an allergy as it can cause irritation and other symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, etc., so be sure that your child doesn’t have any of these before applying the fragrance!
It may also be best to avoid using perfume on a baby who is under two months old as their sense of smell isn’t fully developed yet.
If your child has sensitive skin, it’s probably better not to use any fragrance at all around them! If you’re going out for the day and want some protection from smells that may bother babies, you can use a fragrance-free lotion or cream.
If your child has an allergy, it’s best to avoid using perfume on them as well! If they’re over two months old and don’t have sensitive skin then the risk of irritation is lower but still, it is possible. So be sure not to put too much of the fragrance product near their face
If you are the one applying perfume on yourself, then don’t use strong scents. Another thing to remember is to not use too much perfume. Just a little on your neck, wrists, and behind the ears is plenty.

Are Babies Sensitive to Smell?

You might be surprised to know that babies are more sensitive to smell than adults. This is because they have thinner skin and their sense of taste isn’t fully developed yet, so the way that smells affect them can be stronger or different from how it affects an adult.

This means you should take extra care when using perfume around your baby! If your baby is old enough for a lotion or body wash, try using one that is unscented to avoid any irritation.

Furthermore, using perfume or fragrances can also directly affect your baby’s mood. If they’re feeling cranky or tired, it might be because of the smell that you’ve been wearing all day!

If you notice that your child seems irritable, then perhaps check to see if any one of the parents is wearing perfume. If that is the case, then your child may just need a break from any strong smells for a while.

If you’re not sure if your child is reacting to the perfume, then try taking a break from wearing your favorite scent for one day. If they seem more content after that time has passed (or even just less irritable), this could be an indication of their reaction!

How to Get Perfume Smell Off a Baby?

It is not uncommon to get perfume on your baby as a mistake. If that is the case, then you may be wondering how to get the smell off of them.

It is important that you do not use any harsh chemicals on your baby, as this could irritate their skin further and cause a rash or other issues with sensitive areas like eyes! Instead, try using some gentle soap (or even just water) in order to remove most traces from the skin.

If you want to get the smell off of their clothes, then try using a gentle detergent or soap and water on them as well! This will help remove any residue from clothing that is left behind by perfume after it has been worn for some time (or even just one day). Just be sure not to use too much soapy water, as this can cause the clothes to become too wet and, in some cases, may lead to them being ruined.

The best way is to not put perfume on your baby, and avoid wearing any perfume around your baby in order for you both to avoid any issues with it!

What to do If Your Baby Reacts to Perfume?

If you notice that your baby is reacting to the perfume that you or your partner used, the first thing that you should do is to stop using the perfume.

Next, try to clean the skin of your baby by using gentle soap and water. Perhaps, giving your baby a bath would be a good idea.

If the skin is still irritated, you can try using an ointment or cream that has been specifically designed to help soothe sensitive baby’s skins such as Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash & Shampoo or Cetaphil RestoraDerm Gentle Cleanser for Sensitive Skin.

Furthermore, make sure you change your baby’s clothing so that the perfume does not linger.

Lastly, if your baby is still continuing to react, then it is advisable that you consult your pediatrician.

The doctor will be able to give you the correct advice on how to best treat your baby. The doctor will also be able to answer any questions that may arise and provide the necessary treatment for irritated skin or other symptoms of a perfume allergy such as sneezing, watery eyes, etc.