5 Shampoos to Avoid During and After Pregnancy

During pregnancy and even after childbirth, the choices you make regarding personal care products can significantly impact your health and the well-being of your baby. While many shampoos may seem harmless, certain ingredients can pose potential risks, from skin irritation to hormone disruption. Yes, you heard it right – a little self-care with shampoos can cause serious harm to your child if you’re not careful. Fortunately, we just need to check for five things before buying shampoo to keep our children and ourselves from harm’s way!

Keep reading to learn the key ingredients to avoid in shampoo for pregnant women and new moms and safer alternatives to ensure you make the best choices for your pregnancy journey.

List of Ingredients to Avoid in Shampoo for Pregnant Women and New Moms

Pregnancy shampoo ingredients to avoid are those known to irritate, disrupt hormones, or potentially harm your baby. Here’s a list of ingredients to avoid to ensure your hair care routine remains safe and healthy during this important time.

1. Quats or Chemicals Likes ADBAC & DDAC Can Cause Birth Defects

As per a recent study, certain types of chemicals called quats (quaternary ammonium compounds), commonly found in shampoos, detergents and disinfectants, can result in developmental defects in unborn babies when used by pregnant women. Two commonly used quats are:

• Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC)
• Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC)

Both have been linked to birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord! According to the study, the effect of these chemicals was seen in both males and females. However, the more astonishing part was that the chemicals affected the newborn even when used only by the father (6).

What You Can Do: A mother-to-be should skip the shampoo containing these ingredients and switch to baby-safe disinfectants and detergents. Look for these chemicals, listed as Quats or ADBAC/DDAC, on the ingredients list.

2. Sulfates Strip Your Child’s Hair of Its Natural Oils

As moms, we love to lather up our kids’ hair when shampooing. Lather generally equates to cleanliness, right? This is NOT the case. These types of sulphates are commonly used in shampoos to create lather but can destroy your child’s healthy hair development:

• Ammonium lauryl sulfate
• Sodium laureth sulfate

In the long run, these ingredients can strip hair of natural oils and halt hair growth (1).

What You Can Do: Sulfate-free shampoos are your best option for clean hair – despite lacking foaming lather! You can choose from various sulfate-free shampoos, but you’ll be surprised by how many popular ones contain sulfates.

3. Parabens Cause Hair Loss

Parabens are chemicals used to increase the shelf life of products, but they are toxic in nature. Not only do they harm your skin – in this case, your scalp – but they also affect your hormones and can cause a hormonal imbalance that results in hair loss (2).

What You Can Do: Use Paraben-free shampoos for your little one and make sure his hair stays healthy! These chemicals are also found in soaps, lotions and scrubs. So ensure that your baby care products for your little one are paraben-free!

4. Alcohol Can Dry Out Your Hair

Alcohol is a commonly found ingredient in hair-care products. However, a high quantity of alcohol can cause dry hair and make it brittle. This can be particularly damaging for new mothers who are already experiencing hair problems such as dryness and hair loss.

What You Can Do: Check the shampoo’s ingredients label and buy it only if alcohol is not listed in the first four ingredients.

5. Phthalates Can Disrupt Hormone Function

Phthalates are often used in shampoos to help fragrances last longer. However, they are known to interfere with hormone function and have been associated with developmental issues in fetuses.

What You Can Do: Avoid shampoos with synthetic fragrances, which are often hidden sources of phthalates. Instead, choose unscented products or those scented with natural essential oils (3).

While ensuring that you choose the right shampoo to protect your kids’ health, you can help nourish their hair and counter the harmful effects of the environment by using homemade hair masks regularly!

3 More Personal Care Items You Need to Be Careful About

In addition to shampoos, there are some other products that can affect your little one’s health:

1. Conditioners

Some conditioners are known to be harmful, as they can cause excess deposits of chemicals in the pores of your scalp and affect the health and quality of your hair! Avoid using them on sensitive baby scalps and hair, and discuss with your doctor if you need them.

2. Detergents

In addition to chemicals like quats, certain detergents are harsh not only on your clothes but also on your baby’s skin. Detergents often leave behind a residue, and when your child wears clothes containing this residue, his sensitive skin can be affected by the harsh chemicals! Wash your baby’s clothes in a baby-friendly detergent to keep his skin rash-free (5).

3. Disinfectants

Certain household products, like disinfectants, contain ammonia—an irritant that has been linked to liver and kidney damage! Use non-toxic and natural cleaners to avoid harm to your child’s health (4).

FAQs

1. Are there specific ingredients that are beneficial in shampoos during pregnancy?

Yes, there are several beneficial ingredients to look for in shampoos during pregnancy. Ingredients like aloevera, chamomile, and tea tree oil can soothe the scalp and provide gentle cleansing. Look for shampoos with these natural components to ensure a nourishing and safe hair care routine.

2. How often should I change my shampoo during pregnancy?

There isn’t a specific frequency for changing shampoos during pregnancy, but it’s a good idea to switch to a safer product if your current one contains harmful ingredients. Monitor your scalp and hair condition; if you experience irritation or sensitivity, it may be time to consider a new, gentler option.

Strictly follow this list of shampoos to avoid during pregnancy to ensure you steer clear of harmful ingredients. We want the best for our children and do everything we can to maintain their health. When buying personal care products, a little care can go a long way to ensure our little ones’ health and happiness!

References/Resources:

1. 8 Ingredients to Avoid in Your Shampoo and Conditioner; Genesis Career College; https://www.genesiscareer.edu/8-ingredients-to-avoid-in-your-shampoo-and-conditioner/

2. 17 Dangerous Ingredients to Avoid in Hair Care Products; ConsumerNotice.org; https://www.consumernotice.org/products/dangerous-hair-care-ingredients/

3. What’s in Shampoo, Makeup, Creams and Soap? Chemicals That Change You; Columbia University; https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/whats-shampoo-makeup-and-soap-chemicals-change-you

4. Using Household Chemicals During Pregnancy; Nemours KidsHealth; https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/chemicals-pregnancy.html

5. Laundering Your Baby’s Clothes; Nemours KidsHealth; https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/laundry.html

6. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs); https://www.mass.gov/doc/draft-quaternary-ammonium-compounds-policy-analysis-july-12-2022/download

Also Read:

Precautions to Take After Delivery
Your Essential Postpartum Skincare Guide
Your Complete Pregnancy Essentials Checklist
Dos and Don’ts to Stay Healthy During Pregnancy