In the news today there’s (unfortunately) yet another good reason to use natural, chemical-free products for children.

The FDA is warning women not to use or purchase Mommy’s Bliss nipple cream, marketed by MOM Enterprises, Inc., because it contains “potentially harmful” ingredients that may cause respiratory distress or vomiting and diarrhea in infants. Oh, and the warning signs? A decrease in an infant’s appetite, difficulty in awakening the child, limpness of extremities or a decrease in an infant’s strength of grip, and a change in skin color. The ingredients that cause this are a muscle relaxer (yeah, seriously) and a preservative- chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol.

From FDA.gov :

“Chlorphenesin relaxes skeletal muscle and can depress the central nervous system and cause respiratory depression (slow or shallow breathing)in infants. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that is primarily used in cosmetics and medications. It also can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration in infants.”

Okay, scary stuff. And apparently when those ingredients interact with each other the potential risk for harm is increased and the effects are even worse. So, obviously, if you or someone you know has used this product, throw it out and contact your child’s pediatrician, or seek more immediate medical attention if you need to.

It’s advised that nursing moms contact a lactation consultant or other professional who can recommend an alternative.

I remember I was told to only use 100% natural lanolin when I was nursing. And since natural lanolin products are sold just a widely as this recalled cream (I bought mine at Target), it shouldn’t be hard to get your hands on a safe, natural, chemical-free product if you need one.