Are the ingredients of diapers safe for babies?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was consulted professionally with Master, Doctor Phan Thi Cam Van - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
With their absorbency and convenience, disposable diapers have become indispensable for many parents. However, do not know what a product that is in direct contact with the most sensitive area of ​​​​the child for so long contains? Are the ingredients of diapers safe for babies?

1. Composition of disposable diapers

While disposable diapers seem simple, they have more materials and parts than you might think. Diaper companies are not required to list the entire composition of diapers on the packaging, but most products on sale today follow the same basic structure:
1.1. Outer and inner lining The outer lining is usually made of polyethylene film, which is essentially the same composition as the plastic bag. Some diapers use bioplastics instead, which are made from renewable sources like vegetable oils instead of petroleum. The inner lining that touches the baby's skin directly is usually made of polypropylene - a common material found in underwear.
Both components of diapers are considered very safe for baby's sensitive skin. Some diaper brands also add aloe vera and vitamin E to the inner lining, skin-friendly compounds commonly found in diaper rash creams.
1.2. Absorbent core The absorbent core of disposable diapers contains wood pulp - commonly bleached with chlorine, and a super absorbent polymer. The specific polymer is sodium polyacrylate - a compound that can absorb 30 times its weight in urine. When introduced in the early 1980s, this ingredient made diapers thinner and more effective at keeping babies dry.
Sodium polyacrylate will usually be in the core of the diaper. But sometimes during use, they leak through the lining, leaving tiny transparent crystals on the baby's skin.
1.3. Dyes Cartoon characters and other images adorning the outside of diapers are painted with dyes, such as Disperse Blue 106, Disperse Blue 124, Disperse Yellow 3 and Disperse Orange 3. Dyes can also be used Use in elastic bands on the back and around the legs, as well as in diaper change markings.
1.4. Scent Fragrance Diapers contain a small amount of perfume in between the absorbent core and the outer layer. This flavoring often contains citral - a compound with a citrus smell, which is a common ingredient in lemon and orange essential oils.
If you want to avoid any diaper ingredients, look for diapers that are dye-free, fragrance-free, chlorine-free,... detailed on the packaging. These natural, eco-friendly diapers are becoming more widely available in the market.

2. Are the chemicals in diapers safe for babies?

2.1. Sodium polyacrylate According to the safety and potential hazard data sheets for various chemicals detailed by the US agency, sodium polyacrylate in diapers is only a mild substance. Inhalation of these small particles can cause airway irritation, but is considered non-toxic.
Sodium polyacrylate itself does not cause skin irritation. With the properties of a polymer, they stick together into long and large chains that cannot be absorbed through the skin. However, sodium polyacrylate is sometimes mixed with small amounts of acrylic acid, an ingredient left over from the manufacturing process.
In theory, large doses of acrylic acid can be harmful to a baby's skin. But in fact, the composition of disposable diapers in the clear does not have enough acrylic acid to cause concern.
Allergic skin reactions to sodium polyacrylate are rare. To date, only one case of an adult using a pad due to urinary incontinence has reported an allergic reaction. Very few babies experience an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the diaper.
In the late 70s and early 80s, hundreds of women using super-absorbent tampons containing sodium polyacrylate developed toxic shock syndrome - a potentially fatal illness caused by bacterial infection. When sodium polyacrylate was first introduced into diapers, some worried that the baby might have the same syndrome. But this fear is unfounded. A diaper that is worn on the outside of the body is far different from a tampon that is inserted inside the vagina. There are no reported cases of diapers causing toxic shock syndrome in children.
2.2. Dyes Dyes used in diapers are generally safe. But in very rare cases, some of these ingredients have triggered allergic reactions in infants.
2.3. Fragrance Some babies are very sensitive to citral and other fragrances in diapers. However, actual allergic reactions are not commonly reported. According to a 2009 report in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, the amount of citral in a typical scented diaper is too small, about 1 million times less than what causes skin irritation.
2.4. Dioxin Wood powder in diapers helps increase absorbency, but can also be accompanied by other chemicals of concern, namely dioxins. Dioxin is a human carcinogen produced when bleaching wood pulp with chlorine.
Most disposable diapers contain small amounts of dioxins. Some are also concerned that dioxins found in disposable diapers will contaminate groundwater when thrown away.
However, there is not enough toxic dioxin in the diaper's composition to pose a threat to the baby's health. In fact, a 2002 study estimated that children get thousands to millions of times more dioxin from their diets than they do in diapers. Dioxins are everywhere in the environment and in everything we eat, especially animal fats.
The study also found that the most dangerous types of dioxins - the form capable of causing cancer and other diseases - are not present in diapers at all.

3. Advice from a pediatrician

In general, pediatricians and medical professionals agree that disposable diapers not only absorb well, but also protect babies' skin, and do not cause any problems or reasons. which is worrisome.
Pediatric dermatologist said that diaper rash has decreased much compared to before. The components of today's modern diapers absorb large amounts of liquid and absorb moisture, making diaper rash outbreaks less common and less severe.
It is very rare to have a rash in which a diaper is the cause. Diaper rash is usually caused by a yeast infection, or irritation of sensitive skin from diarrhea or unusually loose stools.
If a certain type of diaper is causing problems for your baby, report it to your healthcare provider and try switching to another brand. You can also experiment with cloth diapers, which are less absorbent but free of dyes and as many chemicals as disposable diapers.
To treat mild diaper rash, the recommended standard approach is to change diapers frequently, making sure baby's skin is completely dry before applying protective cream and putting on new diapers. For a child with a severe rash, take your child to the doctor for a checkup.

Newborns are generally susceptible to respiratory diseases, respiratory infections and gastrointestinal infections if they are introduced to solid foods early or are not properly stored and prepared. To protect children's health, parents should do well to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first 6 months (if possible) and vaccinate on schedule. As soon as a child shows symptoms such as anorexia, fatigue, and crying, the child needs to go to the hospital to be consulted by a specialist for monitoring and treatment. The pediatric department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children. With a system of facilities, modern medical equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread, Vinmec will bring satisfaction to customers. and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of leading pediatricians: including leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctors, Master's degree), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. The doctors are all well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. Advanced techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull, stem cell transplant blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to play comfortably and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: babycenter.com