Johnsons Bedtime Cream Wash/Lotion

Before I was a WAHM I worked in medical media relations/PR and spent a lot of time reading and analyzing medical research.

I agree that many consumer products contain things that a human body may have never been intended to come in contact with. However, I also know that when looking at scientific research, you can't draw conclusions about ANYTHING based on one single study. In the grand scheme of things, that one study simply means that in a particular group of people, using a particular group of variables, etc., there "appears" to be a link to something. Real conclusions, medical guidelines and recommendations don't come about until a "preponderance of the evidence" happens. That means that gobs of research on lots of people of different races, gender, socioeconomic levels, environments, etc. point to the same conclusions.

I haven't found the study you're talking about, but you would want to ask if it takes into consideration these children's diets, family history, environmental factors, etc. There is more "poisoning" in most of the food we eat than in what we wash our hair with. I'd be more concerned about feeding my kid a hot dog than washing him in pleasant-smelling baby wash.

Also, the fact that the purpose of our skin is to keep things from getting into our body would indicate that it's pretty hard to get major hormonal changes from the highly processed lavender scent in a shampoo (probably can't say the same if you were to roll naked in a field of fresh lavender every day for 5 years, but no one is going to test that, are they?)

Chances are that this was not a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (the so-called "gold standard" for research) of the effect of lavender baby shampoo on a baby. I'm betting that it was an observational study with limited reach.

So, really, the only concern you should have about your baby bath is whether or not your baby gets clean from it.

4 moms found this helpful

I've heard rumors of that, but not that they contain hormones. That something about the lavendar scent can somehow interact with boys, but really not negatively with girls. I would take that with a huge grain of salt, though, as it sounds awfully odd to me.

2 moms found this helpful

I have been using these products on my little guys since the first baths and he is 18 months old now. I haven't seen any issues. I would like to see some research where they have proven something otherwise.

1 mom found this helpful

I have never heard this and have used these products on both of my children. I have seen no ill effects from usage. I wouldn't focus too hard on this is it was some one that said it to you. They have said alot of bad things about certain products and I personally have found them untrue. Use your own judgment. I will continue using these products.

1 mom found this helpful

Lavendar oil may cause a temporary symptom of breast growth in some boys, but it's temporary, rarely happends, and the symptom goes away when you stop using it. I wouldn't worry. I've used plenty of products with lavendar in them on my two boys and I haven't had to buy a bra for either one of them yet!

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I've never heard about the hormones in the cream, but I have heard that some of the "No Tears" bath products contain NOVACAINE!! That's the reason their eyes don't burn, because it actually numbs them. I started using the Arbonne Baby Care products on my son about a month ago, for this very reason. Arbonne is very careful about what they put in their products... no harsh chemicals and botanically based. So far, it has worked wonders!

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I like the link Staci sent - very informative. I agree with her - you can often find wonderful products at many grocery or health food stores. Don't be scared into buying products - many companies have scare tactics. While I am sure there are many products that are not good for you, do research. I'm sure we would all freak out about what was in the products our parents used on us. Just something to think about.

1 mom found this helpful

http://www.babyconnection.com/news/601428/

Here is a link with factual information on this very topic. The mama who mentioned that she thought it was the lavender is correct. It's not the Johnson's brand specifically, just any product that might have lavender in it.
By the way, don't let beauty consultants scare you into using their products. Many times you can find products just as good over-the-counter.

1 mom found this helpful

I wouldn't be surprised. I'm not 100% sure about hormones, but i do know MANY baby products (and a lot of products WE as mom's use) contain 1,4 dioxane which is found to be a cuase of cancer. Please check and toss your products which contain this chemical. It is found in mnay Johnson and Johnson products, L'Oreal, Disney, Olay, Suave, and Clairol products.
I too, have switched all my baby's products, as well as my own to Arbonne. I know using them, my baby, and my family are safe. If you want some samples, or more information about Arbonne's product, please contact me!!
My email is ____@____.com

God Bless

-S. Woods
Arbonne International
Independent Consultant
____@____.com
###-###-####

ETA:: Here is the website for the 1,4 Dioxane products
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/site/pp.aspx?c=kwKXLdPaE&...

1 mom found this helpful

I heard the Johnsons products with lavendar had the hormones but no telling what else is out there like some of the moms mentioned. I don't sell it, but I highly recommend Arbonne baby products! They do wonders for the skin and don't have harmful minerals or anything in them. Did you know that even MINERAL OIL is no good for our skin? It's toxic and it's in most baby oil's on the grocery shelves. Arbonne products don't have that in their products. My daughter has recently broken out with eczema on her arms, legs, and back. Hydrocortizone and aquaphor (recommended by her pedi) haven't helped one bit. I started slathering on the Arbonne Baby Lotion all over her a couple times a day and her skin has cleared up and is so soft again.

1 mom found this helpful

I heard that the lavendar in those products can make little boys grow little boobies. :) It just makes them swollen or something like that. I used it on my son, but I never experienced that.

There was an article in the New England Journal of Medicine (2/1/07) that reported three cases of young boys developing breast tissue after exposure to lavender oil and tea tree oil n bath soaps, etc. The bottom line is that the breast tissue regressed after stopping the offending products. The issue was not added hormones but that lavender and tea tree oils have estrogen-like qualities. Just because a product is natural doesn't mean it won't have side effects in a vulnerable person, and obviously not everyone is vulnerable because there were only 3 cases reported, not hundreds. If your son has develops breasts while using these products, then stop. The breast tissue will go down.

Hi R..
Even though I am an Arbonne Consultant, I agree with the gyst of what Stacey K said. Do not let reports or other companies' "consultants" scare you from using whatever products work best for you and your family. Some other companies do use "scare tactics" to try to frighten you into believing that only their products are safe. However, I strongly believe that it would be ridiculous for me personally to give out medical advice when I'm not even close to being a medical professional.
All, I can say is that, OBVIOUSLY, I use Arbonne's all-natural, 100% certified Vegan baby care products on my child. I choose to do this because I am a vegetarian (even though my husband and son are not) and also because I believe that mineral oil and animal by-products are not the healthiest choice.
I personally believe in using moderation in all aspects of my life. For example, I still drink a cup of coffee a day, even though there is research out there that says it's unhealthy to do so. But, the kicker is that there's also research out there that says it is healthy. So what's a person to do?!
I think the only thing you can do is what you're already doing, become informed about what's out there, ask opinions, then make your own decision.
Good luck!
Sincerely,
M. O.
www.mandyolsen.myarbonne.com

Hi R.,
I read an article recently about Lavender oil and Tea Tree oil causing breast development in little boys. Apparently, these little boys used the same lotion and/or soap as Mom and it had these side effects - not that Mom needs the extra hormones either! I didn't realize that these oils had hormones (estrogen or progesterone, I guess), but I'm avoiding them from now on. Check your labels. A LOT of products have lavender or tea tree oil. Johnson's probably has a Lavender scent, but whether or not is actually contains the oil is something you'll have to check.

I use the Johnsons wash and it has made my son break out in a crazy excema type rash... So I had to switch to something else. My pedi told me to use Dove, but I have some Meleluca baby wash that I have been using and is supposed to be sfer.

I see your point, but I would be more worried about what the child eats. One trip to the golden arches and baby shampoo looks pretty irrelevant! LOL
All the best, Liz

Hi R.,

I like you was totally stunned when I found out that there are unsafe ingredients in lots of personal care products, including baby products. There has been a lot of research done, and there are actually formaldehyde releasers in the #1 selling baby shampoo. My thoughts were, if they're putting in my baby's stuff, what are they putting in mine? The more research I do, the more things I am finding out about our personal care products and all the ingredients that are not advertised, but exist. I personally have switched my entire house, including my cleaning supplies and laundry to a store that makes all the same products, but uses natural alternatives instead of all the harsh and dangerous chemicals. Let me know if you're interested and I would be more than happy to get you more info about where I shop. ...And the kicker is, these new products are actually more cost-effective than what I was buying before. Go figure :)

Have a great one!
A.
www.free2Bmom.com

the cream may have lavender or tea tree oil in it. You should read the ingredients. Both ingredients HAVE been scientifically found to sometimes cause early breast development in pre pubescent children. Both lavender and tea tree oil can act like female hormones within a childs bodies...it is absorbed through the skin. The products do not have hormones in it..it is just how the body treats the lavender and tea tree once absorbed.

I was using a tea tree oil shampoo on my daughter after we treated her for head lice this past winter. It is supposed to be a natural deterrent. I told this to my pediatrician and he printed the medical journal article showing me the findings on lavender and tea tree oil.

Take care!
R.

It is the lavender but it would not be limited to Johnsons. It was a study done buy a medical school? I can't remember the exact details my Dad sent me an email about it a few months back.

You would be surprised at the chemicals found in one product! Over the past year, I have switched over to natural (or more natural) products. Even some of the companies that claim to be natural are not. It's very frustrating!
This website has some great info: http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/
If you click on "other products", you can find baby product info.

I can't remember who published the article I read recently - but I shared it with a doc and they agreed....shampoo/conditioners that have lavender in them can cause breast growth in boys. To be safe -- keep use to a minimum. I personally use organic stuff only on my son just to be on the safe side and only use cedaphil to bath in him because he has eczema that is the most gentle on his skin - there are a lot of perfume and other ingredients in Johnson and Johnson products that I have read are not safe for children as well.
K.

I use Johnson's on my daughter & haven't noticed any problems, and I've never heard anything like that. Where did you hear it?

Hi R.,
This is very interesting to me because my daughter has had some early development symptoms like you described -- and we use the Johnson's products. Is it only the bedtime products? Will you please let me know what you find out from everyone on this? Thanks!
L.
____@____.com

I have a 6 month old...my pedi says NO NO to ALL J&J products. She says for one they have too many/too much scent in them. Too much perfumes and not good for babies skin at all. She says if you have to have a scent use Aveeno baby, ONLY!! She told me to go right home and throw it all out. I took all my unopened bottles back to walmart and made an exchange. I only use Aveeno baby, the purple kind (lavender & vanilla scent) The blue kind kinna smells like oatmeal, but I would rather my kid smell like oatmeal and be healthy.

I know that Johnson & Johnson shampoo contains formaldehyde (quaternium-15). It is used as a preservative so that the product will have a longer shelf life. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and is a major indoor air pollutant. Many people have allergic reactions (allergy symptoms, eczema, asthma attacks, anaphylaxis) to formaldehyde and they don't even know that formaldehyde is the cause. That is why I ALWAYS read the labels on my household products to make sure that they don't contain formaldehyde. I think formaldehyde is also an endocrine disruptor. I'd have to look that up to be sure.

D.
http://deanaorear.themomteam.com