Birth tub additives... « Back to Group Discussions

[mamaharrison]

I haven't done tons of research or anything, but was gonna add some grey salt to my birth tub and when I started to search came up with all sorts of like WARNING do not add anything to your birth tub stuff and was kinda turned off by it all.

I can't see any reason why not to add natural sea salt to your birthing tub or herbs in a satchel and was just wondering why so many are so down on it. 

Any truly enlightened info out there appreciated. Are these all scare tactics and the standard "consult your doctor if you are nursing or pregnant" kind of warnings?

Thanks

[Mamabeakley]

One possible reason I can think of is that most people use a pump to empty the tub, and possibly salt water could damage the pump?  IDK.  Herbs in a satchel wouldn't have that problem, though.

[segolilymama]

From what i know, the main concern is getting anything in baby's eyes. There are a lot of great essential oils that I like to use for many things, including labor and birth, but my books specifically say do NOT put in birth tub, because you don't want it in baby's eyes. I honestly don't see how 10 drops even of, say, lavender oil in THAT much water could be a problem, but I get why they would write that. I think it is Warning Label material. Do not give baby the plastic cover of the crib mattress to play with, that sort of thing. Besides, the oils on me will be in the tub water, so....

[mamaharrison]

Originally Posted by segolilymama 

From what i know, the main concern is getting anything in baby's eyes. There are a lot of great essential oils that I like to use for many things, including labor and birth, but my books specifically say do NOT put in birth tub, because you don't want it in baby's eyes. I honestly don't see how 10 drops even of, say, lavender oil in THAT much water could be a problem, but I get why they would write that. I think it is Warning Label material. Do not give baby the plastic cover of the crib mattress to play with, that sort of thing. Besides, the oils on me will be in the tub water, so....

thanks--my thoughts exactly ; ) 

[Harmony96]

I dunno... if I were going to get something in my eyes, I'd rather it be 0.9% saline solution (normal body salinity) than plain water, b/c the solution is neutral but the water burns a little. But I guess the issue would be that it's not sterile salt or whatever (but neither is the water, I don't think). I dunno.

[mamaharrison]

agreed harmony ; ) I am def. putting sea salt in the tub!