Breast feeding No No's

AlliJeee · August 2014

I was out with a girlfriend the other day, trying on new perfumes, trying to find something new for fall/winter, when she asked if I'd even be able to use it, come November??? Not something I had even considered! She mentioned her sister stopped wearing perfume when she had a breast feeding baby, and actually I know my boss used an all organic deodorant when breast feeding- something I totally forgot till that moment. Will you ladies be giving up perfume and regular deodorant? Are there any other changes that should be on my radar for breast feeding purposes???

mrsodonnell12 · August 2014

I don't like to wear perfume when I have a small baby - their face is right by your neck a lot.

As far as cutting perfume and deodorant for nursing..... Nope.

sweetbabyrahe · August 2014

I always wore deoderent...non organic. I also don't use daily perfume because of my job, but if I was going out and wanted to wear a little I didn't worry.

kimberly_ann81 · August 2014

Nope I kept doing what I've always done. If it's safe while pregnant it's safe while nursing.

soulcupcake · August 2014

Bahahaha. That's hilarious, and a big fat no.

I'm a fragaholic, and collect niche, indie and bespoke perfume. There's no way I am giving it up. Most of the perfumes I wear are natural/botanical, and wear close to the skin, so they don't bother other people.

It makes sense to just use common sense. Baby's like the mom's natural smell, so don't spray or apply perfume in the areas baby rests or is close to (chest and neck). Dabbing on the wrists, behind the neck or in certain areas on clothes is also another way to lessen how much baby comes into contact with.

I've never not worn fragrances, even when I breastfed, and never had any issues. I used the "less is more" approach and preferred perfume oils to alcohol-based perfumes (can produce stronger top notes and throw).

mamatohne · August 2014

I know there are a lot of women who change deodorants while they are pregnant. I am not sure if it has anything to do with breastfeeding. I know my deodorant stops working while I'm pregnant and have to get clinical virsion.
As for perfume. I only wear it when dh and I go out. (Which is Never) But I would not wear it trying to breastfeed.

mamatohne · August 2014

@ClrkKntismyAE‌ it did for me after pp hot flashes stopped. (I wanna say like 6 weeks after d's was born.)

silverwings72 · August 2014

aeonlux said:
Bahahaha. That's hilarious, and a big fat no.

I'm a fragaholic, and collect niche, indie and bespoke perfume. There's no way I am giving it up. Most of the perfumes I wear are natural/botanical, and wear close to the skin, so they don't bother other people.

It makes sense to just use common sense. Baby's like the mom's natural smell, so don't spray or apply perfume in the areas baby rests or is close to (chest and neck). Dabbing on the wrists, behind the neck or in certain areas on clothes is also another way to lessen how much baby comes into contact with.

I've never not worn fragrances, even when I breastfed, and never had any issues. I used the "less is more" approach and preferred perfume oils to alcohol-based perfumes (can produce stronger top notes and throw).

These perfumes sound heavenly. Any suggestions for a newbie? I love my perfumes but I don't want to overwhelm LO.

As far as deodorant goes, I am considering buying clinical strength because I am a hot sweaty mess. I go to bed sweaty and wake up dripping. I can't get cool enough.

Melissa2216 · August 2014

I kept the same deodorant but didn't wear perfume (which I rarely wear anyways) and I didn't use scented body wash on my chest. I tried to keep that area as close to my natural scent as possible.

jac409 · August 2014

I use organic deodorant and only a little perfume on special occasions. I switched to organic deodorant long before I started having babies though. I am pretty crunchy when it comes to what I put on my body. I won't switch back to regular deodorant ever, let alone when I am breastfeeding.

mamatohne · August 2014

Also, we buy scent free laundry soap. I use it on my clothes as well.

moroccojade · August 2014

I definitely still wore deodorant, but I didn't wear perfume while nursing. Basically YOU are your baby's plate. I would not want my plate (or the surrounding areas) doused in Chanel No 5, so I put the perfume away for a good long, while. I don't like scented candles at the table while eating either.

(and yeah. Perfume really isn't great for us, unfortunately. I can definitely give it a break for a while.)

rahkitt · August 2014

I never wear perfume because it really bothers me, but I did find that strong odors were even harder to handle for a few months postpartum. My MIL came to stay with us for a while and she uses more scented products than I do and normally it doesn't bother me, but I found it unbearable when I had a newborn. DH had to politely ask her to switch products while staying with us. I think mothers have a heightened sense of smell, and probably babies too, so I'd recommend cutting back on perfumed products. Baby should be able to smell you and your milk. For the rest of us go on wearing deodorant though

belmont1785 · August 2014

I am also a FTM but my mother in law is a lactation consultant and we've discussed it quite a bit. A lot of it depends on your baby too. Some babies have SUPER sensative skin and will break out extremely easily. So for those babies, wearing perfume or deodorant might not be an option (or certain kinds) Same with foods you eat influencing your milk supply and taste. Some babies can tolerate you eating a mostly normal diet. But some babies get very upset tummies if mom eats spicy foods etc.

I wear regular deodorant but I stopped wearing perfume a long time ago, I got scared when one of my aunts was diagnosed with breast cancer and the doctor told her he wouldn't be surprised if it was because of the perfume she had worn for nearly 20 years. He said some perfumes contain chemicals that are outlawed in some states because they have been know to cause cancer. Our church also started asking people to stop wearing it to services because we have members with migraine and allergy issues and just as a common courtesy to them. So I just wear deodorant now.

ColtiersMom · August 2014

I always wear deodorant and put on perfume before leaving the house. Your baby will get used to the smells and associate those to you

jlove253 · August 2014

I don't wear perfume generally, but switched to natural deoderant after dd was born. I just felt like if her head (when nursing) or other parts of her body could be that close to my pits at any point, I'd rather not expose her to any of that. I was already suspicious of the aluminum in deoderant, so the switch was easy. I was using Tom's (the apricot one) and really happy with it, and made my own for a bit (not as happy with that), but going off birth control and being pregnant have totally made me stinkier. Boo! I'm currently using the rock salt version you can buy at natural stores and it's working fine, only occasionally needing some Tom's on extra sweaty days. I think it will improve after LO comes and my hormones level out.

MuchlyGen · August 2014

I don't ever wear perfume, but I sure don't stop wearing deodorant while BFing. Dude, with the delay between showers, it's absolutely necessary, lol.

absolutelymaybe · August 2014

kyliedaniellexx said:
I don't even wear purfume unless it's a special occasion... I'm like a 12 year old, give me all the body spray. Bonus points if there's sparkles in it.

Ha! I'm the same exact way. I fully expect my babies to have sparklies on them (not that I'm putting it on them, just by being near my lotion).

And there's no way I'm not wearing deodorant. Thought I'd add that for the record.

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