Perfume and Newborns: What Every Parent Should Know

A newborn’s world is made of warmth, scent, and sound. Their first memories don’t live in words — but in touch, in breath, in closeness. And few things linger longer than scent. But as new parents, it's only natural to wonder: is it safe to wear perfume around a baby?

In this guide, we explore the relationship between fragrance and your newborn's delicate world — with clarity, calm, and care.

SUMMARY

  1. Why scent matters so much to Newborns

  2. Is it safe to wear perfume around a Newborn?

  3. Which Types of Perfume Pose the Greatest Risk?

  4. How to Wear Perfume Safely Around Your Baby

  5. Safer Alternatives for Scent-Loving Parents

  6. A Gentle Conclusion

 

Why Scent Matters So Much to Newborns

From the very first moments, a baby begins to understand the world not through language, but through touch, sound, and especially scent. Smell is their first sense of home. It’s how they know you — how they feel safe.

Within hours of being born, a newborn can recognise the unique scent of their mother’s skin and milk. That familiar warmth becomes their anchor in a world that is otherwise brand new. Their tiny bodies breathe faster than ours, and their airways are smaller and more delicate, which makes them especially attuned to the scents around them — for better or worse.

And while gentle, familiar smells help them feel grounded, strong or synthetic fragrances can overwhelm their senses and interrupt the quiet bond being built. In these early days, scent isn't just fragrance. It's connection. It's memory in the making.

 

Is It Safe to Wear Perfume Around a Newborn?

You’ve probably wondered: can I still wear perfume now that I’m holding a baby to my chest every day? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no—but rather, a soft maybe.

A newborn breathes in the world before they understand it. Their little lungs are delicate. What feels gentle to you might be too much for them.

And science backs that up. One study even found that everyday fragranced products — yes, including perfumes — can release airborne compounds that affect sensitive groups like infants. So it's not about fear. It's about thoughtfulness. It’s about the scent you bring into their brand-new world.

A peer-reviewed study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Steinemann, 2018)¹ found that fragranced consumer products — including perfumes, scented cleaning sprays, and air fresheners — can emit volatile compounds associated with headaches, respiratory issues, and even skin irritation. Vulnerable populations such as infants are more susceptible to these effects due to their sensitive systems and continuous proximity to caregivers.

So what should parents be aware of?

Strong or synthetic scents can cause respiratory irritation, especially those containing high levels of alcohol that evaporate into the air quickly. Some synthetic fragrances may also include phthalates or allergens linked to skin reactions and breathing difficulty. And let’s not forget sensory overload: newborns thrive in calm, low-stimulus environments. A powerful scent, however lovely, might be too much too soon.

Heat can intensify scent — see our guide to choosing lighter perfumes for summer.

The bottom line? You don’t have to give up scent to be a good parent. But maybe you’ll wear it differently now.

It means choosing wisely, applying mindfully, and always putting closeness before projection.

 

Which Types of Perfume Pose the Greatest Risk?

Not all scents are created equal. Here are the types to be most mindful of:

  • Heavy sillage perfumes that linger in the air or on fabric

  • Sprays with high alcohol content, which evaporate quickly into the air

  • Products with undisclosed "fragrance" blends, often a catch-all for multiple synthetics

  • Room sprays, scented candles, and fabric softeners with artificial compounds

Even natural doesn't always mean safe. Essential oils can be irritating, too.

 

How to Wear Perfume Safely Around Your Baby

You don’t need to give up fragrance altogether. Here are gentle ways to enjoy scent:

  • Apply it before baby wakes up, so it settles into skin and softens

  • Avoid applying near the chest, neck, or hair

  • Use a smaller amount, dabbed rather than sprayed

  • Let it sit under your clothes

  • Ventilate well if you're indoors

Think of scent as a subtle trace, not a cloud. A safer alternative could be applying a small amount of solid perfume to the ends of your hair — learn how to do it safely.

 

Safer Alternatives for Scent-Loving Parents

For those who can’t imagine life without fragrance, there are softer ways to keep it in your life:

  • Solid perfumes with wax or oil bases and no alcohol

  • Fragrance-free creams infused with a single natural note

  • Body oils with subtle infusions of lavender, chamomile, or vanilla

  • Essential oil blends diluted properly and used with care (always patch test)

At La Boulle, we create gentle fragrances — crafted by hand, using natural ingredients.

 

A Gentle Conclusion

You don't need to give up the scent you love to be a good parent. But you might need to shift your relationship with it.

When you hold your baby close, let them smell You, not just what you're wearing. Let perfume be a subtle connection, not a barrier.

When in Doubt, Choose Care Over Clutter

  • Skip the strong stuff

  • Choose low-impact, skin-close scents

  • Prioritise presence over projection

 

Curious About Safer Scents?

La Boulle creates soft, sensory perfumes in solid and oil formats — designed for skin, not for show. Explore our selection, made for the moments that matter most.

Because fragrance isn’t just about what you wear. It’s about what you hold close.

Dorin Epureanu, Perfumer La Boulle


¹ Steinemann, A. (2018). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Fragranced consumer products: exposures and effects from emissions.

 

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