Can hair products affect breast milk?

The Impact of Hair Products on Breast Milk
The question of whether hair products can affectCan Hair Products Affect Breast Milk?
The short answer is that hair products can potentially affect breast milk, but the risk is generally low.
According to the available research, most hair dyes, bleaches, and other common hair products do not pose a significant risk to breastfeeding infants when used by the mother.
The chemicals in hair products are typically not well absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. Even if some of the chemicals do enter the mother’s system, they tend to be present in breast milk at very low levels that are unlikely to harm the nursing baby.
However, there are a few important caveats:
Timing of Use: It’s generally recommended to avoid using hair products immediately before or during a breastfeeding session, to minimize any potential exposure to the infant.
Scalp Irritation: If the hair product causes significant scalp irritation or redness, it’s best to avoid breastfeeding until the irritation has fully resolved, as this could potentially impact milk production or quality.
Rare Allergic Reactions: In rare cases, a mother may have an allergic reaction to a hair product that could theoretically be passed to the baby through breast milk. This is very uncommon, but should be monitored.
Overall, the consensus among experts is that occasional use of common hair products is unlikely to pose a risk to breastfeeding infants. However, it’s always a good idea to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider. They can provide personalized guidance based on your specific situation.

What products should you not use while breastfeeding?

Be careful with products containing parabens as they could be absorbed through the skin and potentially passed onto your little one through breast milk. Parabens are sneaky and can pretend to be estrogen in the body, which can throw off the hormone balance for both you and the baby.

What hair products are not safe for pregnancy?

Phthalates: This is another EDC that should be avoided during pregnancy. A 2022 study in the journal Environmental Research found that hair products containing phthalates had the potential to alter hormone levels in pregnancy, possibly contributing to growth restriction and preterm birth.

Can I use beauty products while breastfeeding?

Yes, it is safe to use cosmetics whilst breastfeeding. There is no scientific evidence to show that the use of cosmetics makes breast milk unsafe. Because cosmetics are applied externally to the skin and hair, rather than swallowed, they can have no detectable effect on breast milk.

What negatively affects breast milk supply?

Supplementing with formula
However, supplementing with formula for multiple feedings every day (such as while the baby is at daycare) or releasing breast milk only when the baby wants to nurse tells your body that it doesn’t need to produce as much milk. Consequently, your supply will begin to decrease.

Does hair products affect pregnancy?

Personal exposure
There are no studies on occasional use of hair products during pregnancy. However, we have calculated that using these products 3 to 4 times during pregnancy would not be a concern, as they have minimal systemic absorption and women are exposed to them every 6 to 8 weeks at most during pregnancy.

What not to use while breastfeeding?

Some prescription drugs, like medicine to help you sleep, some painkillers and drugs used to treat cancer or migraine headaches, aren’t safe to take while breastfeeding. Others, like certain kinds of birth control, may affect the amount of breast milk you make.

Can my emotions affect my baby when breastfeeding?

Cortisol can be passed to the baby through the breast milk. Past studies have shown that cortisol was found in the human milk of breastfeeding mothers experiencing higher levels of stress, and led to more crying and fussiness in their breastfed babies.

What can contaminate breast milk?

In recent years, additional chemicals have been detected in human milk, among them bisphenol A, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexachlorobenzene, and the cyclodiene pesticides, which include dieldrin, heptachlor, and chlordane. Residues of many banned POPs persist in women’s milk.

Do soft breasts mean low milk supply?

Your breasts feel softer
This happens as your milk supply adjusts to your baby’s needs. The initial breast fullness reduces in the first few weeks. At around 6 weeks, breast fullness is completely gone and your breasts may feel soft. This is completely normal and has no effect on your milk supply.