Baby powder has always been your baby’s best friend when it comes to fighting rashes from diapers. Honestly, it does help a lot. But it also brings a warning from doctors. If accidentally inhaled by the baby, it may cause aspiration pneumonia or granuloma. So, be careful when applying it to the baby’s buttocks.
So, is baby powder edible? There are two kinds of baby power- Talcum and Cornstarch. Cornstarch is edible, whereas Talcum is not. Talcum baby powder will cause low blood pressure, chest pain, breathing problems, etc.
By now, you must be wondering why even eat baby powder? Well, a medical condition called Pica makes people eat this stuff. Honestly, there are so many questions that must be answered relating to baby powder and its effect on us. Read on to know more about it.
Is baby powder edible?
The answer depends on the kind of baby powder.
If it’s Cornstarch, it’s edible; if it’s Talcum, it is not edible. Talcum baby powder will cause low blood pressure, chest pain, breathing problems, or organ failure.
Talcum contains “talc,” which is the harmful part. If you inhale any of the Tacum powder, there will be discomfort in breathing and seeing.
On the other hand, Cornstarch talcum powder is free of all this harm. It is edible. This is not to say we recommend you to have it once in a while. It will be basically like eating sand, but you will not have severe medical conditions as you might have with Talcum baby powder.
Now, you might be wondering why people would even eat baby powder? There is more than one reason for it. Let us look into some reasons for eating baby powder.
Reasons for Eating the Baby Powder
There are two kinds of people who will eat Talcum baby powder intentionally. Pregnant women and people who are suffering from “Pica.” Let us learn about these people.
Pica
People who suffer from learning disabilities and possessiveness generally have Pica. They are not mentally stable enough to decide what will be good for them. They end up eating foods with very little or no nutritional value- such as Talcum baby powder. These people also eat stones, mud, specks of dirt, etc.
Pregnant Woman
Pregnant women go through big changes during pregnancy- both physically and mentally. They can get really obsessed with weird many weird kinds of stuff- eating Talcum baby powder just might be one of them.
You should not categorize being some sort of disease or disorder. It’s that they can get easily obsessed with weird kinds of stuff as they often feel mentally low or very down.
What are the side effects of eating baby powder?
Other than the obvious low blood pressure, chest pain, breathing problems, or even organ failure, there are other side effects of eating baby powder. The list goes on as follows:
- Fatigue.
- Upset stomach.
- Back pain.
- Painful intercourse.
- Constipation.
- Menstrual changes.
- Abdominal swelling and weight loss.
Many people go on with their daily lives even after eating baby powder( whether it’s accidental or intentional). Do not be like those people. If you observe any of the above symptoms, consult a professional immediately.
Alternatives to Baby Powder
Now or later, the cravings never end. When it comes to obsession, you really can’t yourself very much. If you are the people that crave baby powder, we suggest trying some alternatives to the baby powder that will minimize the damage to your body.
- Cornstarch: Out of all the alternatives, this might be the easiest to find. Just lookout for a different ally of your supermarket and find some.
- Baking soda: You can use baking soda instead of baby powder. It is also the cheapest of the options available.
- Tapioca starch and Arrowroot starch: Famous for absorbing oils and moisture in the cooking department, they can also be a great alternative. Its absorbing properties do the tricks.
- Rice starch: It is basically ground-up rice. Other than eating, they are mostly available in face powders.
- Kaolin clay: People mainly use Kaolin clay because it makes the skin soft by absorbing moisture. You will find it at any nearby store.
What are the side effects of eating Cornstarch?
Cornstarch is basically food that has a high level of calories and carbs. High calorie means a high level of sugar in the blood. If someone is fighting diabetes, this is not something that he wants to put in his body. This is harmful to heart health.
What happens after eating baby powder while pregnant?
As mentioned before, new moms have unstable mental conditions that make them do unexpected, weird stuff. Developing disorders such as Pica is very common. You can expect complications before and after delivery.
You will suffer in a short period of time from chest pain, breathing problems, diarrhea, continued vomiting, etc., if the Baby powder is inhaled. Apparently, inhaling baby powder will do more harm to you than eating it.
What if my baby eats baby powder accidentally?
If you find your baby eating baby powder, quickly wash its mouth and remove all the powder from its mouth. At any cost, do not let it swallow the baby powder.
The effect of the baby powder could be worse for babies than the adult.
If the baby eats just a little bit of baby powder, it’s alright. But if the baby inhales the baby powder, it’s discomfort. Consult a Pediatrician immediately.
Accidents like this can happen very often if you are not using the baby powder in the right way. Many moms use too much of it, unknowing the side effect it will bring on the baby. Too much baby powder might cause the baby to inhale it and feel discomfort. To avoid a scenario like this, use the baby powder appropriately.
Wrapping it Up
No matter how much one likes to debate it, “eating baby powder” is a weird habit. It is a symbol of addiction and a weak state of mind. You do not expect such behavior from someone with a normal state of mind.
Here, we have answered the question, “is baby powder edible?”. Moreover, we had shown what to expect when you ingest it or inhale it and what are the alternatives of baby powder.
So, next time you are about to apply baby powder to your baby, you know how dangerous baby powder can be for the baby and what alternatives you have for it. So, the next time, choose wisely.
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