Nursing can be tough on moms, potentially resulting in dry or cracked nipples. There are, luckily, products available to help ward off such problems, including various creams and lotions intended to soothe and protect breasts and nipples. One such product is Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream -- or was, anyway, until the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to consumers not to use the product.

According to the FDA, the cream contains chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol, two chemicals that could be harmful to a breastfeeding baby. Chlorphenesin can cause respiratory depression in infants while phenoxyethanol can cause vomiting and diarrhea, possibly leading to dehydration. Both chemicals can depress the central nervous system.

"The FDA is particularly concerned that nursing infants are being unwittingly exposed by their mothers to this product with dangerous side effects," said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director, FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Additionally, these two ingredients may interact with one another to further compound and increase the risk of respiratory depression in nursing infants."


MOM Enterprises, the manufacturer of the Mommy's Bliss line of products has stopped selling the nipple cream but disagrees with the FDA's findings. According to the company's website, "the amount of chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol in the product is minute relative to what is considered allowable for adults." The company's own experts "have reviewed the FDA's report as well as the related literature and found no basis for their concern."

If you have some of this nipple cream and do not wish to continue using it, MOM Enterprises is offering a full refund; contact the company toll-free at 877-457-4955 for more information. I'm sure the company believed its cream was not harmful, but truth be told, when you're talking about children's health, why take any chances? Kudos to MOM for pulling the product.