Puberty isn’t exactly the best time in a child’s life. It's a stage characterized by new and pungent smells, new feelings and desires, and figuring out so many intricacies of the human body. In many cases, kids even develop a newfound repulsion for their parents. As much as it can be a tricky time for children, it’s usually not a time parents are exactly racing toward either.
So you can imagine the concern and fear one mother felt when she noticed signs that her then 2-year-old daughter was beginning puberty. She shared her family's story in an Instagram video that has since gone viral, spotlighting potential issues all parents should know about.
Mina noticed her two year old's armpits smelled and she had developed breast tissue.
Mina Adams, a mother of five, is committed to informing families about the often toxic chemicals that are present in many of the items we have in our homes and use on our children.
Last year, she shared the story of her daughter Emma. Emma was born with heart disease and congenital hyperthyroidism. When Emma was just 2 years old, Mina noticed that her armpits were producing an odor and her breast tissue had grown significantly.
Mina took Emma to her endocrinologist for answers.
Initially, Mina assumed the changes were a result of Emma’s disease or the medication she had been prescribed. But when she spoke to Emma’s endocrinologist, she learned that was not the case.
Instead, the doctor asked Mina if Emma’s hair or body products contained lavender essential oil, tea tree essential oil, or soy. When Mina checked the products her daughter had been using, she found that they did.
She realized which products were causing the changes.
In the caption for the video, Mina explained that she had been using drops of organic lavender in her daughter's bath water. She also used a lavender hair oil. Emma’s endocrinologist explained that these oils can affect hormones.
They evidently act as endocrine disrupters. A few months after Mina had topped using the lavender, she noticed her daughter’s breast tissue had gone down to an age-appropriate size.
Since then, she's more vigilant about the ingredients in the products she uses on her kids.
The experience has made Mina more conscious about checking the labels for all of the products that she brings into her home and uses on her children.
In the video, she writes, “If any possible endocrine disrupters are on the list I don’t use them on my kids. If they are high on the list, I won’t use that product on myself.”
Mina drives home the point that none of her children need the high estrogen levels.
Mina is very clear on the fact that this has just been her family's experience.
Mina’s comment section is a mixed bag of people agreeing with her and others questioning whether natural products could produce this outcome and wondering if this is all a ploy to keep Mina and her family reliant on pharmaceuticals.
Some speculated that it was actually a food product that caused the change. Mina stepped forward to confirm that she did not change her daughter’s diet.
“I understand that some of you are passionate about natural oils and say things ‘I’ve been using it for years no problem,’ or ‘it must have been synthetic’ everyone is different. Emma was 2, powerful lavender on such a small body (25 pounds) can affect her differently as it would a 8 year old or adult," she replied. "I am NOT saying that lavender is bad for you. I am saying that we should be cautious when using something so powerful on tiny human beings. I am not debating our experience or what her doctor told me. It was our family experience … Be well, be blessed. Be mindful and be kind. ❤️”
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
