Smoke on clothes and newborns

[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!

[MummaSue]

My parents came over to stay with us when DD was 4 weeks old and they are heavy smokers. There was one day that my mum had been holding DD just after she'd had a cigarette and DD was stinking of smoke. I blew my top. They were very careful after that. But I am absolutely 100% convinced that their second hand smoke aggravated DD's reflux and I've told them so since then. She needed to be put on medication for her reflux after they left and while I know that the smoke isn't the one and only cause of her reflux, it most definitely contributed to it.

For me, it's absolutely unacceptable to smoke around babies if the parents don't want you to (and at all!!). You're not being over the top at all hun.
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