Smoke on clothes and newborns

[~clover~]

Actually when we were in hossy with DD3 the mw did say it would be best for DH to change his shirt or take it off after a ciggarette before holding DD.
I'd maybe ask them to have a shirt or something to put over their clothes? I don't think you're being over protective, but maybe you'll need to prepare for the 'it didn't hurt you' argument...
This is your baby & they should respect your wishes. My dad & MIL have always been heavy smokers & neither of them smoke in their own homes if DD is there, even though they normally do.

[Pretty Butterfly]

To me, it would definantly be worth fighting over!!

I hate the smell in general, let alone the health risk.

I have heard they are now telling b/f mums to wash their breasts and change clothes before feeding bub, as the toxins can come out of the skin, and they are definatly in the clothes.

I hate smokers touching my kids after smoking... even the big ones.

eta, I was also bought home on the floor of the car, and my mum smoked in MATERNITY when she had us kids!! The "old way" certainly wasnt the best!!! LOL

[Traveller]

I would say you are very right to be concerned about this. My youngest son became very ill following a visit to my mums house (pneumonia). He had lung issues anyway, and my mum is a smoker, but she never smoked around the children. I found out after he started getting ill that she was smoking in the living room after we went to bed, so he was waking up a few hours later in a room with smoke on the curtains, carpet, couch, etc. After this I am extremely paranoid about smoke clinging to fabrics, and if I have been socialising with a smoker I will change my clothes before cuddling my kids. I'm not a germ-a-phobe either, we don't go OTT on antibacterial handwash, etc, but on this I feel you can't be too careful as there is plenty of research that shows the effect of passive smoking on health.

[chody47]

Thanks everyone for your replies so far. It's making me feel like I am not completely paranoid!

I think I will try to suggest that any smokers have either a 'smoking jacket' they can remove before touching the baby or a clean top to put on before touching the baby. Washing hands will also be a must, as well as trying to get the smoke out of their breath.

I think perhaps going down the allergy-ridden/medical issues path might be a good spin on things too, as although my parents don't know this (I think anyway) there are lots of allergies/medical issues on DH's side (e.g. lactose intolerant, wheat allergies, nut allergies, coeliac disease, epilepsy (don't think my parents realise DH has this in fact!)).

I will also let them know that we will be mentioning the same things to other smokers (although admittedly the only ones on DH's side are a couple of his Aunties).

I hope it goes well

[Jennifer13]

I think perhaps going down the allergy-ridden/medical issues path might be a good spin on things too, as although my parents don't know this (I think anyway) there are lots of allergies/medical issues on DH's side (e.g. lactose intolerant, wheat allergies, nut allergies, coeliac disease, epilepsy (don't think my parents realise DH has this in fact!))

Blaming it on DH's genes will be less likely to offend your Dad. Throw in that DH was susceptible to cold and chest things as a child and had numerous infections. That's probably why my MIL didn't mind so much, we blamed me and my side of the family.

[chody47]

Blaming it on DH's genes will be less likely to offend your Dad. Throw in that DH was susceptible to cold and chest things as a child and had numerous infections. That's probably why my MIL didn't mind so much, we blamed me and my side of the family.

Good idea! I just might do that

[~Raven~]

There is nothing worse than having your baby handed back to you and she reeks of cigarette smoke that has "rubbed off" that persons clothes. I really don't think smokers realise how bad they smell sometimes!