My Baby Ate Baby Powder – What Now?

So, your baby ate some baby powder. What should you do? Well, the first thing you should do is check whether he or she is choking, coughing, or showing any signs of discomfort. If so, then contact poison control immediately. If you live in the U.S. then call 1-800-222-1222.

If not then there\’s nothing to worry about. Baby powder is completely safe and should not cause any problems under normal circumstances.

But it is also true that you should know a little bit more about it, for the safety purpose of your baby.

In this article, we are going to talk a little more about baby powder safety, what you should do if your baby eats it, and how you can prevent this from happening in the future.

Is Baby Powder Safe?

For the most part, yes. Baby powder is generally considered safe to use. They are normally non-poisonous and non-irritant to babies.

But you should be cautious while putting anything on your baby. And the same goes for baby powder. Your baby might be allergic to a constituent of the powder which may lead to an allergic reaction. So, always keep an eye on your baby while trying anything new.

One thing we might add is that; do not use talc-based baby powder. Many pediatricians claim that the talc in talcum powder can cause respiratory issues.

Pediatricians advise the use of cornstarch-based baby powder like the Johnson\’s Pure Cornstarch Baby Powder. Corn starch is much safer than talc. So, keep an eye out for cornstarch powder next time you go out shopping for baby supplies. IT’S IMPORTANT!

According to WHO (World Health Organization), the application of baby powder on buttocks and genitals may be potentially carcinogenic. WHO claims that there is the possibility of talc mined for human use, to be contaminated by asbestos which is a carcinogenic compound. So, it is best if you lightly pat baby powder on these areas instead of directly applying them. We all should be careful about this matter.

Can Eating Baby Powder Harm My Baby?

No. Baby powder does not contain any substance that may harm your baby. If you buy from a reputable brand then there\’s almost zero percent chance that consumption of the powder will cause any harm.

Even though the powder itself is harmless, your baby may choke if he or she eats a mouthful. Also, on the rare chance that your baby is allergic to any of the components of the baby powder you are using, it may cause your baby to have an allergic reaction. So, it is best to prevent your baby from eating baby powder in the first place. Better safe than sorry, am I right?

What To Do If Your Baby Eats Baby Powder?

Normally, you really don\’t have to do anything if your baby eats baby powder. Like we have discussed before, baby powder is completely safe. Unless your baby is allergic it shouldn\’t cause any problem.

But how do you know if there is a problem? Well, you should first look for these signs of discomfort –

• Coughing
• Choking
• Trouble breathing
• Flushed face
• Red patches over the body

If your baby shows any of these contact poison control or your local hospital immediately.

If your baby does not show any of these then you can just simply wash his or her mouth and keep an eye wide open for anything unusual. Don’t worry it will not affect any harm in future.

How To Prevent Babies From Eating Baby Powder?

We\’ve all heard of the term, prevention is better than cure. In the case of child-raising, parents should make it their life\’s rule.

Instead of pushing your luck, you should try your best to keep the baby powder or any other products out of your child\’s reach. But how do you do that?

The first thing you can do is use high cabinets and shelves. High enough to be out of your child\’s reach.

But if you don\’t have cabinets that are high up or you have cats in the house who are notorious for pushing things off and out of shelves and cabinets then you can try installing a safety lock.

If you see yourself in this sort of situation then we recommend you go for the Safety 1st Magnetic Locking System.

It is just under 30 dollars and comes with a set of 8 locks and 1 magnetic key. Because it uses a magnetic system there is no way that your baby will be able to open your cabinets and drawers. It does not matter how smart or curious your baby is. This lock will surely childproof your house.

We\’ve tested it ourselves and can assure you of its quality. But don\’t take our word for it. You can check out the customer review on Amazon and decide for yourself.

How To Safely Use Baby Powder?

Putting anything foreign on your baby is a possible health risk. Baby powders are widely accepted to be relatively safe. But following some safety measures can make them even safer. There is no such thing as too safe when it comes to raising your child. So, we advise that you follow these precautionary measures while using baby powder –

• Avoid Talc based baby powder.
• Use cornstarch-based baby powder.
• Use Zinc based rash cream.
• Contact your pediatrician before trying out any new product.
• While trying anything new, start with small amounts and check for any adverse effects.
• Do not put baby powder on genitals or buttocks directly. Instead, use a cloth or powder puff to pat the powder on.
• Keep the powder away from your baby\’s face to avoid inhalation.
• Make sure the powder does not enter your baby\’s eyes.
• Keep the powder container away from your baby\’s reach during application.

Talcum Powder Alternatives

If you want to do away with talcum powder entirely then you can try the following alternatives:

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a great alternative to talcum powder. Cornstarch based powder is less likely to cause respiratory problems than talcum powder. Many pediatricians actually advise the use of 100% cornstarch-based baby powder over talcum powder.

Baking Soda

There are plenty of baking soda based baby powders out there which are a great alternative to talcum powder. But do not use raw baking powder as it can cause abrasion to soft baby skin. The baby powder containing baking soda usually comes mixed with cornstarch.

Arrowroot Starch

If your baby is allergic to corn then you can\’t certainly use cornstarch-based powders. In that case, you can use arrowroot starch powder.

Rash Cream

Zinc based rash cream can also be used instead of baby powder to prevent diaper rash. These contain zinc oxide which is a potent anti-fungal. So, they are great at keeping fungal infections away. But be sure to consult a pediatrician before using any rash cream on your child.

Could Eating Baby Powder Cause My Baby’s Poop to Turn Green?

If you’re wondering about baby poop color, it’s important to be cautious with what your baby consumes. While eating baby powder might not directly affect the color of your baby’s poop, it’s best to avoid ingesting it altogether. Stick to safe and appropriate food choices to maintain healthy digestion and normal baby poop color.

Conclusion

So, now you know that if your baby eats baby powder and shows no signs of illness or discomfort then there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Just keep an eye of the little guy for a while and that is all you need to do. However, if he is showing any sort of unusual behavior make sure you contact poison control or your nearest hospital as soon as possible.

We really hope this article was of help to you. Wishing your baby good health. Thanks for stopping by.