Smokers visiting baby
Would it be unreasonable for me to prevent smokers from visiting once the baby is here? I’m very aware that any smoke, even third-hand smoke, increases the risk of SIDS and want to reduce this as much as possible. The main issue is that my father smokes and he wants to visit for a few days after the baby is born, but I’m really anxious about the idea. I’m considering asking him to either wait, shower and change clothes before holding the baby, or just not smoke and use patches etc whilst he’s here. Does anyone have any advice?
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I 100% agree. My brother smokes and the rule is that he does not smoke the same day as seeing her. He’s showered, clothes changed before seeing her too.
I’d rather offend someone than put my baby at risk
My partner smokes and I was never worried about him smoking and then being around our daughter 3.5 years ago when she was a newborn & im not worried about it this time round either. I guess everyone worries/thinks differently then a everyone else so just do you & what you think is right.
I would do what you feel is right everyone is different xx
My mum smokes and I’ve requested that she ideally doesn’t smoke at all before seeing the baby but if she does then she has to change clothes and thoroughly wash then sanitise her hands
I have this issue as my BIL and his partner smoke, will be asking that they don’t smoke or have second hand smoke on their clothes and wash their hands before seeing baby. None of the rest of my family or his family smoke
I had this with my last baby. My mum smokes. My mum is also very irrational so we had a huge argument but basically. I made her change her clothes/wash her hands and not kiss the baby. If she couldn't do that then she wasn't seeing him. Might sound harsh but you have to do what's best and the motherly instinct is so strong specially when they're first born so I had no choice but to be firm with her x
Both of my father-in-law’s smoke. Before my first daughter was born, I started to share on fb loads of stuff about holding a baby after smoking and the risk of SIDS. I also expressed these worries about smoking in conversation with them and I made a post on fb about the dangers and importance of not smoking around babies. All I can say is speak to them and be open and honest. The rules we had included:
• Wash hands after smoking
• Wear a coat or jumper and take it off when finished smoking
• Don’t smoke half an hour before visiting us and the new baby
• No kissing the baby if you have smoked
I hope this helps! They are your family so they should understand and appreciate your concerns!
Smoke is really bad, true, but don’t get too stressed about this, ask him to certainly wash his hands before holding the baby and wait maybe some minutes. Asking him to shower every time I don’t think is realistic since he may smoke quite a few cigarettes in a day and also patches don’t replace cigarettes for smokers.
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