I would not want this on my baby's skin. The Environmental Working Group rates 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate 
a Moderate Risk (4). A baby can absorb a lot of toxins both through the skin and the rectum. IMO, 
petroleum jelly should never be used on anyone's skin. And I beleive lanolin increases the risk of yeast 
infections. Nothing about this product would make me want to see anyone using it on their skin, but 
certainly not an infant. OTOH--so many products used in medicine are toxic--I am sure few would flinch 
at the info below. 

From Dr. Mercola:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2000/05/28/vaseline-yeast-infections.aspx


The topical use of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on premature infants in 			  a neonatal intensive care unit was shown in this study to cause 			  a tremendous increase in the risk of systemic candidiasis (yeast 			  infections). This association was discovered when a Houston hospital 			  noticed an increase in the incidence of this problem shortly after 			  they instituted a change in their standard protocol for skin treatment 			  in extremely low birth weight infants. Researchers found that the 			  risk of candidiasis was increased by a factor of 11 (eleven). The 			  average age of the infants when diagnosed with candidiasis was 21.5 			  days old. Following the findings, the hospital discontinued it's 			  use of petroleum jelly and the incidence of candidiasis returned 			  back to normal levels.
			
Pediatrics 2000; 105: 1041-1045


An a mainstream doctor as well:


http://www.oprah.com/oprahradio/Health-Concerns


Is petroleum jelly safe to use as a moisturizer?
Dr. Oz says he doesn't recommend you use petroleum jelly anywhere on your body because it is not a natural product—it is a by-product of oil production. 

Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, France
Intuitive Parenting Network, LLC



Hi All,

 

You gotta tell me if I am nuts or they are.  I just talked to a mom with a
baby (born 7-5 at 34.5 wks gest) in NICU - he has anal fissures.  He has had
streaking of blood in his stools as a result of the fissures.  He is ONLY
breastmilk fed - sometimes at breast, sometimes on bottle.  To help the
fissures the NICU is putting Bag Balm (yes, Bag Balm in the square green tin
can - the stuff they use on cow udders.) on his bottom.  I was FLOORED.  

 

Am I nuts in thinking this is totally inappropriate or not?  Bag Balm is for
cow udders.not premie baby rectums.  I told mom that I was surprised and
that I did not agree with such use and why.  I also told her I would ask my
colleagues to make sure I am not out of line.

 

Thoughts?

 

Jaye Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM

 




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