Is talc powder harmful for babies' diaper area?

Talc powder is not recommended for babies' diaper areas. There are two main reasons: First, if a baby inhales talc particles, it can irritate the lungs and in rare cases cause serious breathing problems. Second, powder mixed with moisture can clump together, making the diaper rash worse or creating an environment for bacteria to grow. Current pediatric guidance is to use only air contact, frequent diaper changes, and protective diaper rash cream (zinc oxide-based) for the diaper area. Your mom's intention is understandable—it was a common practice in the past—but it's no longer considered safe. If she insists on using powder instead of cream, corn starch-based powders may be less risky than talc but still carry some breathing risk; the safest option is to not use powder at all.