From the Desk of June Cuddihy, RN, CS, MSN

Question frequently Ask of the Nurse

Is baby powder safe in an infant diaper area?

Answer: NO

Even when you try to be very careful while you are using baby powder, some of it gets into the air.

For infants, the distance between their bottoms and their faces is very short, making inhalation of the powder likely.

Also, keeping powder around invites children to play with the container, an activity that could easily lead to breathing in the power.

Talc is the primary ingredient in baby power and is known to cause lung damage when inhaled.

Note that the label on most commercial “baby power” containers makes this danger clear.

The label usually suggests keeping the product “Out of the Reach of Children.”

Source: Early Childhood, Health Link, Vol 15:issue 4, PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics.