Expert: ruth kraft - 8/19/2009

Question
I am breastfeeding an 11 month old and put a semi permanent hair colour on my hair.   In fine print on the pack it says "Contains not more than 58.3mg/g Ethanolamine and 25.0mg/g toluene -2,5-diamine." There is no ammonia in the product and contains some natural ingredients.
Is this safe as it sounds terrible?  Would this pass through to my milk?  There are no cuts or abrasions on my scalp and I rinsed my head thoroughly after use.  Our breastfeeding association said they had a toxicology expert that said the breast tissue is quite a thick barrier of cells and that hair colour would not pass through it.  Is this the case?  I am concerned, although I have waited a very long time since the last semi (unfortunately in the early stages of pregnancy where I didn't know I was pregnant at the time).  I think I will put up with the next lot of grey hairs as this has concerned me enough to cause a few more.  I do not use permanent hair dyes and do not drink or smoke.  I also eat a healthy enough diet, although lately I enjoy a bit of chocolate :(  Incidentally, I look at the ingredients lists on the back of shampoo bottles and the ingredients are seemingly as extensive as what I have read on the semi permanent hair colour box.  

I also have a situation where my baby wants to feed several times during the night.  I am considering a dummy as many of the feeds are for comfort.  I never bothered with dummies when she used to spit them out in the early days and she does not suck her thumb.  Unfortunately she has associated the ability to fall asleep with breastfeeding.  She feeds well during the day and is on three solid meals per day also.  Some people have suggested a dummy.  I have heard they may cause dental problems.   I would appreciate your advice.  Thank you.

Answer
Your hair coloring should be fine with such limited exposure. So don't worry about it.  

as far as the pacifier is concerned, its a personal choice. Yes they can cause dental problems but that is usually the kids who use them ALL day long and all night long. give it to her to get her back to sleep, only use at night. She will spit it out when she is back asleep... at least maybe until you get her sleeping through the night again...  hopefully after she turns a year it will go back to normal. she is likely in a growth spurt right now that she is almost 1.