I had a keratin treatment when I was breastfeeding

[nicholec]

There is nothing that you need to be concerned about and no necessary testing for your toddler.

We worry about formaldehyde (the Brazilian blowout is a popular brand that we advise against because of formaldehyde). The fumes can contain toxins that are best not to be inhaled when pregnant or breastfeeding with risks being highest when the exposure is repeated frequently. Since this is not a necessary treatment, and most moms do not know exactly what is being used, it is typically recommended to avoid using these products, but there have not been any reports of adverse effects in breastfed infants exposed.

I hope this helps.

Nichole Campbell, MSN, APRN, NP-C

[Danai]

I had a hair keratin treatment when my baby was 4months old. He was exclusively breastfeeding at the time. I had no idea that it was considered dangerous to have that treatment so I continued to breastfeed him. Now he is 2 years old, very healthy, we had no issues with his health all this time.
My concern is if the keratin treatment I had has affected him somehow in ways that are not obvious yet.

If the treatment had affected my breast milk would it be obvious back then or are there long term issues that I should be aware?

Should we do any specific tests, blood work etc that can indicate if he was affected somehow?

I am asking now, after all this time because I just found out that I shouldn’t have done this.


I don't know if the product contained formaldehyde or not.