Jessica Alba has recalled her worst parental "moment of terror."

The 31-year-old actress is mother to daughters Honor, four, and Haven, one, with husband Cash Warren.

Jessica is a devoted matriarch, but the star admits that after leaving the room for just a moment, her tyke Honor got into some potentially lethal mischief a few years back.

"I found my daughter Honor sitting in her crib, eating these tiny beads from the inside of her diaper," she told SELF magazine.

"They were all over her face. It was a moment of terror.

"[I] felt guilty afterward. I worried that I'd poisoned my daughter."

The incident inspired Jessica to start up her business The Honest Company, which sells eco-friendly baby products.

The star is elated that she has now found a happy balance between her career and personal life.

"Before I got pregnant, it was all about my career," she explained.

"Afterward, I slowed down and realised that life is living, connecting and sharing."