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Baby Care

Is it safe to do traditional practices like dhoop/samrani smoke or kaala tikka/kajal on my newborn?

Moms strongly advise against exposing the baby to dhoop/samrani smoke as harmful to the lungs, while kaala tikka/kajal is treated as a harmless personal choice if kept small and away from the eyes - with baby-specific products like Mother Sparsh recommended.

💡Quick Answer

  • Avoid dhoop/samrani smoke - harmful to baby's lungs, plus burn risk
  • Pediatricians advise against the smoke; blame the doctor if pressured
  • Kaala tikka/kajal is a harmless personal choice if you want it
  • Keep tikka small and away from the eyes (e.g. behind ear, heel, hairline)
  • Use baby-specific kajal like Mother Sparsh, or homemade

⚠️ Caution:Do not expose your baby to dhoop/samrani smoke - pediatricians warn it harms the developing respiratory system and poses a burn risk. Keep any tikka/kajal well away from the eyes.

🤔What Parents Worry About

New moms feel caught between respecting elders' insistence on traditions and protecting their baby. The community draws a clear line - the dhoop/samrani smoke is genuinely harmful to the baby's lungs and a burn hazard, so it's worth refusing (and blaming the doctor), while a small kaala tikka kept away from the eyes is a harmless personal choice, ideally using a baby-safe product like Mother Sparsh.

Community Answers from Moms(3)

Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.

  1. 1

    Avoid dhoop/samrani smoke entirely - the fumes are harmful to a baby's young respiratory system/lungs, and there have been cases of babies accidentally slipping into the dhoop and getting burnt. Pediatricians clearly advise against it. If pressured by relatives, blame the doctor and say they strictly said no.

  2. 2

    For kaala tikka/kajal, it's a harmless personal choice if you want it - keep it small and away from the eyes. Some applied only a small dot from around 2 months, others a dot behind the ear, on the heel, or at the hairline.

  3. 3

    You can prepare kajal at home, or use a baby-specific product like Mother Sparsh kajal made specifically for babies.

About These Answers

The information shared on this page comes from real experiences of mothers in our community. While we strive to provide helpful insights, this content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician, healthcare provider, or other qualified medical professional for any questions regarding your child's health or development.

Last reviewed: June 17, 2026

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Is it safe to do traditional practices like dhoop/samrani smoke or kaala tikka/kajal on my newborn? | Real Mom Answers | Mom Insider