Is it safe to wear perfume while breastfeeding?
Based on 2 peer-reviewed studieshome
Verdict: Avoid
Not on the chest, neck, or wrists that touch baby. Phthalates in perfume show up in breast milk.
What's actually in it
Perfume is concentrated fragrance chemicals in an alcohol base, often with phthalates as carriers. Applied to the chest, neck, or wrists, it transfers onto baby during feeding and cuddling. Phthalates also appear in breast milk after application.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Nat Commun linked phthalates to slower infant neurodevelopment. A 2025 screening study documented fragrance-related chemicals across personal care.
Skip perfume, or apply only to clothing far from the chest. Phthalate-free essential oil roll-ons are cleaner options.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Impact of prenatal phthalate exposure on newborn metabolome. | Nat Commun | 2025 |
| Chemical signatures for household consumer products. | Environ Sci Technol | 2025 |
What to use instead
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