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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder if this advice is correct?

19 replies

DropYourSword · 02/09/2013 23:51

I recently heard a midwife tell a mum that she shouldn't use baby powder as it's a SIDS risk. I have never ever heard of this before! Has anyone else?

OP posts:
RussianBlu · 03/09/2013 00:03

I thought that it was now known not to use talc on babies because they breath in the fine dust which is bad for them, is that what you mean?

Original poster
DropYourSword · 03/09/2013 00:14

Maybe that's what she actually meant, but she definitely said it was a SIDS risk.

OP posts:
LoopyLoopyLoopy · 03/09/2013 00:15

I've not heard this specifically, but it makes sense. Anything that restricts their breathing capabilities is probably a SIDS risk, surely?

curlew · 03/09/2013 00:18

You shouldn't use talc on baby girls because it's a POTENTIAL carcinogen. Haven't heard the SIDS thing

WeeS · 03/09/2013 00:29

It was mentioned as a SIDS risk by a midwife at my antenatal class.
I remember being smothered in the stuff after every evening bath as a child Smile

zatyaballerina · 03/09/2013 02:31

It increases the risk of ovarian cancer in girls.

Szeli · 03/09/2013 02:51

What about boys? I have a 5 month old and I've never heard anything about it and my OH smothers DS in the stuff - he's never had nappy rash at any rate

Mixxy · 03/09/2013 02:57

Less danger for boys, cancer wise, but talc is still loaded with chemicals and it is bad to inhale it. If your son must have some powder, best to use corn starch from the bakery aisle.

Same effect, and much better for baby.

Spermysextowel · 03/09/2013 04:33

My elder son was born in '97 & younger in '99 & I was steered away from baby-powder with both. Fair enough as don't quite see its purpose. Apart from smelling gorgeously like baby; but then it was prob designed to cover less pleasant baby smells.

TheFallenNinja · 03/09/2013 05:03

My HV told me this, I told her it sounded like bollocks. She also gave me a load if bollocks about sudacrem, toothpaste and formula.

We don't hit it off.

longingforsomesleep · 03/09/2013 05:11

Had my kids in the 90s and was advised then not to use talc. The Body Shop used to do a wonderful corn starch based baby powder which we used instead. Don't think they do it now.

Thought everyone knew not to use talc on babies!

SofiaAmes · 03/09/2013 05:13

My understanding of the issue with talc is that it is a fine dust that if inhaled can cause breathing issues. Especially if you have a child with asthma (which you are unlikely to be aware of with a newborn).

Roshbegosh · 03/09/2013 05:54

zatyaballerina ovarian cancer? Where's the evidence of that?

longingforsomesleep · 03/09/2013 06:01

Rosh - here:

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/23/should-i-stop-using-talcum-powder

RedHelenB · 03/09/2013 07:39

No risk at all then if you read the article! Always used talc on mine past them being really tiny babies.

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 03/09/2013 07:44

this is worth reading in relation to it all It's a good look at all the studies....from Cancer Research.

TheFallenNinja · 03/09/2013 08:02

Ah, so the risk is to the mother, now that altogether is more plausible.

BlackholesAndRevelations · 03/09/2013 08:06

I remember being covered in the stuff after a bath to help get us nice and dry for pjs... That's its purpose, isn't it? To absorb moisture and get skin dry? I've never used it with mine because of the risk of breathing it in but hadn't heard of the cancer link...

Wingit · 03/09/2013 08:09

I've never used it, MIL bought us some when I was pregnant. I just use a towel to get baby dry....

Didn't know any of this though to be fair, I just didn't want dd breathing in the clouds of baby powder!

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