Babies, Parenting, Child Health, Infant Nutrition

Baby Development – FDA Warns Against Use of Mommy’s Bliss Nipple Cream

27.05.2008 | 6:57:13 pm | Posted by admin

By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

baby development, parenting Every nursing mother knows breastfeeding provides many joys, but also a few uncomfortable moments. Nursing can cause dry, cracked nipples every so often which are a common side effect of breastfeeding. There are several products on the market to help soothe the sore nipples of nursing mums. One product, however, has caught the attention of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA has issued an advisory warning mothers to not purchase or use Mommy’s Bliss Nipple Cream marketed by MOM Enterprises Inc. The products contains ingredients that are potentially harmful to infants inducing symptoms including respiratory distress, diarrhea, and vomiting. Even though the FDA has not encountered any reports of injury, they are alerting the public of the potential health risks.

The hazardous chemicals found in the cream are phenoxyethanol and chlorphenesin. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative commonly found in medications and cosmetics that can depress the central nervous system leading to vomiting and diarrhea; a condition that can lead to severe dehydration in infants. Chlorphenesin also affects the central nervous system causing slow, shallow breathing in babies upon ingestion. It can also cause dermatitis in mothers which only exacerbates the already dry, cracked skin of the nipples. The FDA also warns these chemicals may interact with each other or other chemicals in the product potentiating respiratory distress.

The product label specifically states that the cream does not need to be washed off before nursing, yet it is the nursing infants who at risk of harm from the product. Based in San Rafael, CA, MOM Enterprises Inc claims they have ceased marketing of Bliss Nipple Cream. Mothers and caregivers should keep an eye out for a decrease in baby’s appetite, difficulty waking the baby up, or a change of skin pallor, and contact your physician right away. Consumers are encouraged to report adverse effects from using the cream to MedWatch, the FDA’s voluntary reporting program at: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm or by phone at 800-332-1088, or by fax to 800-332-0178. Consumers may also mail reports of adverse events to MedWatch, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD, 20852-9787.

Although cracked nipples are a common occurrence for nursing mothers, it can sometimes be a result of improper nursing techniques. Be sure to consult your physician, midwife, or lactation consultant if the problem continues. You can also opt for an organic cream; by choosing certified organic products you can be sure there are not any harmful chemicals. Natural Eco Organics recommends nursing mothers use a nipple cream as a preventative measure. For more breast care advice for mothers, visit Mother Nature.

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About this Blog:

The Baby Mum-Mum blog discusses everything to do with babies and parenting with a focus on child health and child development. Baby Mum-Mum is a healthy, easy to digest baby rice snack that is enjoyed by babies and mothers around the world for its portability, gluten free ingredients and great taste.

Announcement:

On February 22, the FDA issued letters relating to labelling to 22 food companies, including several baby food manufacturers. We were advised by the FDA that we are not permitted to print the statements "Low in Fat" or "No added fat or oils" on our Baby Mum-Mum packaging.

Although these statements are true and each serving of Baby Mum-Mum does not contain any fat, the FDA has brought to our attention that these claims are technically not allowed on our packaging solely because the product is intended for consumption by infants and children under 4 years of age.

In the future, these claims will be removed from our packaging.

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