The argument over whether or not baby powder should be used on an infant can be confusing. Haven't parents been using baby powder for generations? Shouldn't a product with the word "baby" in the title be safe for babies? The truth is it's not the baby powder itself that can be harmful but the ingredients in the product. So while searching for the right type of baby powder for your infant, there are some dos and don'ts to consider.

Let's start with the Don'ts.

Don't use baby powder with talc in the ingredients. Talcum powder has been linked to cancer, but there is currently no hard evidence against the man made substance to support this claim. The real dangers of Talc come from inhaling the product, which has been shown to cause life threatening aspiration episodes in babies whose mothers were using the product. It has been noted that talc can cause pneumonia, inflammation (or swelling) of the airways of babies, and even death.

Read more about talc: http://parenting.ivillage.com/ baby/bsafety/0,3q5k,00.html#ix zz0QzxfA9HT

Don't use baby powder with DEP in the ingredients. DEP, or diethyl phthalate, are man-made chemicals used in the manufacture of lubricants, cosmetics and some plastic products. High concentrations of these chemicals have been linked to reproductive problems, especially in boys. The journal on Pediatrics has done many studies on this subject and concluded that exposure to such chemicals should be limited. Other studies have shown that the minor exposure to DEP that comes from the use of baby powder is not harmful.

Read more on this subject at : http://www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02 /01/AR2008020103284.html

Don't use baby powder at every changing. It is really not necessary to sprinkle your baby with powder at every changing. If you use disposable diapers they are already very absorbent and good at keeping moisture away from baby's skin. Using baby powder can and should be limited to bed time and long car rides.

So what are the Dos of baby powder?

Do look for natural ingredients. Many companies, including Johnson & Johnson's, make baby powder with ingredients like corn starch and aloe vera. These ingredients are natural and more gentle on your baby's skin. They are also less harmful if inhaled.

Do know when to use baby powder and when to use something else. Diaper rash is much more effectively treated and prevented using diaper creams meant for this purpose. Baby powder has never been proven to work better than any of the diaper rash creams.

Do use your best judgment. Watch your baby for reactions to anything you put on his or her skin and use your best judgment when looking for products that are the right fit for you and your baby.

Learn more about this author, Barbara Webber.
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