When we think of the list of things we need in a baby’s bag, the baby cologne will be at the top of that list.
After all, we all want our babies to smell nice because it makes them more attractive.
But that won’t always be the case with baby colognes, especially when your baby swallows some of it.
And then leave you wondering what could happen if a baby mistakenly drinks baby cologne.
well…
Whether we know the answer or not, we can’t pretend we don’t know that things will go south if a baby drinks baby cologne, deliberately or not.
I mean, most of the components that baby colognes are being produced with can be potentially dangerous when ingested; dangerous enough to put one (especially a parent) on alert if a child drinks it.
This is because several complications could arise from a small intake of baby cologne.
Quite uncertain, maybe, but the stakes are high.
And I’d rather not gamble on that with my child’s safety. Would you? I guess not.
That said, the purpose of this guide is to create awareness about the possible outcomes that can arise if your child drinks baby cologne.
What Ingredients Are in Baby Cologne?
It is important to note that baby colognes come with various ingredients, and it is best to choose a cologne with pure and safe ingredients.
When choosing a cologne for your baby, it is best to select hypoallergenic colognes as it helps to minimize the risk of allergic reactions since it may be too early to notice their allergies.
Some of the ingredients you’ll find in cologne include:
Parabens
Parabens can disrupt hormones in a baby’s body, causing skin irritation and risk of cancer.
Although they serve as preservatives in cosmetic products, food industries, and pharmacies, they become more harmful if exposed to the skin for an extended time.
You’ll find parabens in foods and drugs as a must to help them prolong shelf life and stop molds and bacteria from growing.
As adults, our skin is firmer and has adapted to parabens products over time, and it may be challenging to switch to parabens-free products.
I advise you to shop for parabens-free baby colognes to avoid harm to your baby’s skin.
Alcohol
The word “Alcohol” is not new to us as we know the choking smell that visits our noses whenever we use them at home.
For a baby, alcohol can cause skin irritation and an overwhelming smell which your baby may be allergic to and may be too young to confess.
When choosing baby cologne and skin care products, shop for alcohol-free baby perfumes as babies have sensitive skin and, if ingested, may cause severe stomach upset.
Phenoxyethanol
To avoid harm, using phenoxyethanol-free cologne for babies or buying colognes with phenoxyethanol in mild formulations is advisable.
You must keep phenoxyethanol away as it is very harmful if swallowed by infants. Phenoxyethanol is capable of affecting the brain and central nervous system.
Avoid phenoxyethanol products, including hand lotions, to ensure your child’s safety.
Obvious Symptoms When A Baby Drinks Baby Cologne
- Stomach upset (Nausea or vomiting)
- Alcohol smelling breath
- Mild drowsiness
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Swaying while walking
- Lack of energy or lethargy
- Spiking temperature
- Boils
- Constant crying and drooling
What Will Happen If Your Baby Drinks Baby Cologne?
If a baby drinks baby cologne, they are likely to have a stomach upset due to the discomfort some of the ingredients in the cologne give to the body.
You’ll see them drooling, spitting, or vomiting while crying because baby colognes are bitter.
Over time, the baby will likely have “perfume poisoning” from using harsh cologne and ingesting it.
Children are likely to drop their blood sugar levels if the amount of cologne intake is much.
The effect of the cologne on the child may start with drowsiness or dizziness and can likely lead to seizures or coma if not adequately treated.
Regardless, it is good to know that baby cologne has an intensely bitter taste on the tongue. A baby will likely put the container down after contact with taste buds as they start drooling or crying to you.
So, babies are likely to have swallowed small amounts by the time they start crying.
The effect of baby cologne on a baby is similar to how a person who consumed a high-proof or concentrated liquor would feel.
Why The Cologne Affects Your Baby
You may wonder why baby cologne would have an effect similar to concentrated liquor and are likely to have more significant side effects since they have mild and fragile skin.
Well, the colognes may include hormone sensitizers that are capable of throwing their endocrine system off balance.
You’ll find respiratory sensitizers in baby colognes that may trigger wheezing or asthma in a child.
It is good to list the immediate effects it takes on your child, but it is also good to know that baby cologne contains harmful secret ingredients to the reproductive system when they build up in the body over time.
Baby cologne contains one of the most toxic ingredients, isopropyl alcohol or ethanol.
The cologne manufacturers infuse scented ingredients to stabilize and preserve the scent.
It is wise to go through the ingredients of your baby’s cologne if you notice irritations, itching, or redness on your baby’s skin since they may be sensitive to a particular component.
You will also find phthalates in some colognes and endocrine disruptors when ingested.
Some colognes contain carcinogens, benzophenone, and styrene chemicals which are harmful to the body in large quantities to avoid harm to specific organs.
What To Do If Your Baby Drank Cologne
When you have successfully established or confirmed that the baby swallowed baby cologne, your next move should be to know the amount of cologne ingested by the child.
If the baby ingested a small amount, you could give them plenty of water and light snacks while observing for symptoms.
But for cases where a baby swallows a large amount of cologne, it is only proper to take your child to the hospital, where they may be kept overnight for observation.
Giving them plenty of water or mild yogurt with snacks is necessary to prevent their blood sugar level from dropping if there is a large amount of intake.
The observation may take 48 to 72 hours before discharge to ensure the dangers are over by this period.
More significant risks are prone if 30 milliliters were ingested, making it best to consult medical attention immediately.
Preventive Measures to Take When Using Baby Cologne
It is best to keep colognes out of children’s reach to avoid ingesting stories in large quantities.
It is necessary to check the ingredients in baby colognes before purchasing them.
If applied on the baby directly, Baby Colognes should be in small quantities to avoid reactions or irritations.
When applying fragrances, try to avoid doing them in the presence of young children, as they are likely to use them in your absence.
You must know that Baby Cologne is entirely safe for toddlers since they do not cause irritations on their skin if they are water-based and alcohol-free.
If you are applying colognes on toddlers, make sure you hint to them on the importance of the guidance of an adult when using them.
I advise you to pick a very comfortable cologne as there is a need for continuation to help strengthen bonds between parent and child.
How to Choose Safe and Personal Baby Cologne for Your Baby.
Sometimes choosing the best products for our kids can be challenging as some are very expensive and achievable.
Regardless, using good colognes for babies is best to avoid dangerous reactions to harmful products.
You can go for a set or product with combos for baby and mama.
You may want to choose nicely scented colognes for you and your baby to create more bonds while nursing them and ensure natural freshness all day.
Some adults and children have allergic reactions to the chemicals in most fragrances, even worse for asthmatic children.
Check online for good products, or take your time on the shelf to read the contents before purchasing colognes for your babies.
You can ask your friends to recommend suitable products if you need help choosing the best for your baby.
How to Use Baby Cologne?
Baby cologne is essential for newborn babies, giving them an alluring scent and a pathway to smell good while growing up.
You can use baby colognes on baby clothes to give them a long-lasting smell all day.
You can apply baby colognes on sheets, pajamas, blankets, and other belongings.
Applying baby cologne on a baby’s ear, neck, or wrists, with the consciousness that a minimal amount can go a long way to keeping the baby fresh, so there’s no need to put on too much.
I advise you to apply some of your baby’s cologne on your chest and clothes to increase bonding during breastfeeding.
Why Should I Use Baby Cologne?
It is necessary to use baby cologne as the scent enhances the baby’s sensory development from birth.
Indeed, newborns can’t see at the early stage and rely on their sense of smell to understand what is happening around them.
Aside from that, most baby colognes have a combination of natural flora to give your baby a pleasant scent and to keep them fresh till the next time of bath.
It is only advisable to use baby cologne if you want a more hygienic feeling for yourself and your baby.
Wearing a pleasant fragrance can do more than improve your scent; it can help ease stress, depression, and anxiety.
At a bit of age, if not correctly cared for, a child can start producing body odor giving a negative impression that we can avoid by using the baby cologne.
So, when shopping for your baby’s groceries, ensure you get one or two colognes to give them a scent and pick the best.
How Often Can I Use Baby Cologne
There’s no regulation on how often you can use baby colognes on your baby, but you must be conscious of the product you choose for them.
The truth about using colognes is that if you enjoy the scent, you can use them daily or as many times a day.
Most people enjoy reapplying colognes as they say it makes them feel enlightened and energized while carrying out daily activities, which can be a good option for your baby to keep them fresh.
Colognes’ oils absorb your skin’s natural oil to give you a unique scent. It simply explains the need to apply them to your skin, not surfaces.
Applying baby colognes to clothing or clouds is not the best for getting the unique scent the product can give all day.
Some colognes do not have strong scents when they come out of bottles, but they keep you smelling nice all day.
Chances of A Baby Drinking Baby Cologne in Large Quantity
The chances of a baby drinking cologne are meager as the taste is primarily bitter and harsh for a child’s consumption.
A baby is more likely to put the bottle down after taking the first gulp and cry and drool, which is one of the first signs to know that your baby has ingested baby cologne.
A toddler will likely abuse the use by pouring a significant amount on their skin or clothes if not properly guided by an adult.
Even if the chances are low, keeping colognes far away from babies and other toddlers is best.
Whom Should You Call for Guidance
You can place a call or ask someone to do it immediately if you notice a child may have swallowed cologne.
Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately for help if you have confirmed your child swallowed cologne and are unsure of the amount.
You can also try the webPOISONCONTROL site for online help.
It is good to call the Poison Control Center or a general practitioner for advice to avoid applying other substances that may cause harm.
When you have confirmed cologne poisoning, it is best to keep calm, as shouting and panicking can frighten the child and lead to more crying.
Conclusion
Baby colognes might pose much threat to babies when swallowed, but it doesn’t change the fact that they’re also suitable for the most part.
The essence of this guide was not to paint a bad picture of baby colognes; instead, it’s about exposing every parent out there to the potential negative aspect of baby colognes.
So, as a parent or caregiver, you must ensure the colognes are always kept out of reach, where it’s inaccessible to your baby.
That way, you won’t have to worry about your baby drinking baby colognes.