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Home › Articles › Basic Care › Phthalates in Baby Shampoos and Lotions

Phthalates in Baby Shampoos and Lotions

Do Baby Care Products Do More Harm Than Good?

By Becky Lane

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And absorption through skin, by way of baby care products, isn't really any more harmful than another type of consumption, Dr. Troung says. "A toxicity of a substance doesn't depend as much on the route of absorption but rather on the way it is metabolized in the body," she says. "Each organ systems' metabolism is different, and as the metabolites of phthalates are found in the urine [as in the AAP study], it can be assumed that the human body is metabolizing and excreting this substance."

However, just because there isn't conclusive evidence of phthalate's harm to infants doesn't mean there isn't any.

Ansley Forest, a nursing student and mom of two in Asheville, N.C., isn't taking any chances. "I am very concerned about this issue and go to great lengths to keep my family and myself safe from toxic chemicals," she says.

Avoiding Exposure

Whether you're convinced of the harm of phthalates to your baby or not, there are some things you can do to decrease his exposure, especially through baby care products.

First off, you can limit exposure by avoiding use of unnecessary products. According to MayoClinic.com, "There's no need to give your newborn a bath every day. In fact, bathing your baby more than several times a week may dry out his or her skin." The Web site recommends bathing newborns in plain water only. And they say to use lotions sparingly. "Most newborns don't need lotion after a bath. In fact, greasy lotions or ointments may make a rash more likely by blocking your baby's tiny sweat glands."

<>When you do need to bathe your child or apply lotions or ointments, try to steer clear of products that contain phthalates if you're worried about exposure. This can be tough, though, because reading labels is not always helpful, Dr. Troung says.


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