Rice and shine: a parent’s must-have rubdown item for the little ones

Presented by DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN TRADE (DFT)

Parents know it all too well that finding the best baby care products on the market can be daunting. From bisphenol-free bottles to orthodontic pacifiers and even clothing made from natural fibers, these fancy-sounding items may scream overprotective parent — but isn’t it better to be safe than sorry?

An often overlooked product for babies

These items are extremely crucial to babies under the age of one (before evolving to toddlers, but you know they’ll still always be your babies) and one of the most useful items often overlooked in a parent’s kit, beyond those fancy items, is the humble bottle of baby powder. There are so many reasons to be thankful for this invention that has been around since the 1890s — including absorbing unwanted moisture, preventing diaper rash, and alleviating friction on baby’s supple skin.

The dark side of the white powder

Allow us to assume the role of a fairy godparent, we’d like to contribute to your knowledge bank. Talcum powder is usually found in baby powder, and as helpful and effective as baby powder is, there have been case studies showing the health risks associated with using talcum-based baby powders. Derived from a mineral mixture of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen, this carcinogenic ingredient was one of the key reasons why the world’s largest baby powder manufacturer was sued for US$37 million in 2018.

Although, the bigger concern surrounding talcum inclusion is actually more about the harmful substance called asbestos. Some baby powder labels may not state clearly if their product is asbestos-free or not — extremely worrisome, especially as babies might be at risk of lung cancer when they inhale the substance.

A safer alternative

There’s always a silver lining to every concern and for parents who’ve been seeking a safe and trusted solution, rice-based baby powder is here. Produced from naturally sourced rice flour, this product is talcum-free and hypoallergenic (basically, it reduces the chance of allergic reaction) and most importantly, gentle for those tender baby bums.

Baby powder is a must-have in any parent’s tool kit for a seamless post-bath routine, keeping baby’s bottom dry (before the chocolate rain descends again in a few hours) while also keeping sensitive skin protected against diaper rash. Rice baby powder seems to tick all these boxes, no sweat (pun intended)! So, rejoice that rice isn’t only exceptional on your plate, but also on your baby’s bum.

Modern parents of today will be especially glad to know that Thai rice-based baby powder is biodegradable and leaves no residue on the skin, essentially reducing the exposure to skin or lung cancer — another reason to choose this natural alternative for a happy baby.

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