Smoking around newborn?

Question

I am 28 weeks pregnant and I am dreading having the baby, not because of pain or fear of it, because my husbands family smoke like chimineys and I know after they hold the baby (do hospitals let EVERYONE hold the newborn?) that my baby is going to smell like an ashtray. And then when I say something it will cause a HUGE issue, is theyre anyway a nurse or doctor could tell them they cant hold the baby? And them not know it is my request? I just dont think I should have to think that my newborn stinks like a chain smoker that is rediculous right or wrong?

They wont be smoking around the baby but smoking enough to have the smell transfer to the baby

Answer 1

It's not the hospitals job to tell your family what you need to tell them. You the parent of that baby, you are responsible for that baby's well being and overall health. I would tell them, if you smell like smoke, you don't get to hold the baby. If that means you have to brush your teeth, change your clothes and wash your hands in bleach, then so be it. Stand up to these people, they know what they are doing is unhealthy. If they love the baby they will not want to drag him or her into the addiction that they have gotten themselves into. And hey, it may even prompt some of them to quit all together, you just never know.

Answer 2

YOU are the mom, YOU set the rules. You say who can hold the baby and when.

When I got pregnant we told both sets of granparents that smmoke that there will be no smoke around the baby and the baby will not be visiting houses of smokers. One set no longer smokes in their own house, ever -even when we are not there.

The other set still smoke, they do not see the baby very often. And the last two times we have been there there have been ashes all over the table. It is disgusting. That's going to change of I am putting my foot down again. It's hard because they are my in-laws and I don't like them anyway so I try not to be too much of a b*tch. Hubby has no backbone when it comes to his parents. Ugh.

You can ask them to bring a change of clothes to the hospital, or whatever makes you comfortable. Remember you are the mom and you set the rules.

Answer 3

I was very protective of my baby in the hospital. It drove me nuts with all of the people touching him. My nurses gave me anti bacterial hand gel to have everyone use. I just told them that they had to wash their hands prior to holding the baby, but they dont smoke like chimineys. I would tell your husband your concerns and have him talk to them.
Remember it is your child and you have every right to do whatever you want. There are still certain things that I don't budge on. They know that if they dont follow my rules then they wont be able to have him over.

Answer 4

I remember feeling the same way years ago when I had my first daughter, the hospital gave me a bottle of foam antibacterial cleaner, it was mostly alcohol. I made each one of them use it before they held my precious daughter. Just think of it like this, when they get to the hospital they will be visiting you for a few minutes, then let them hold the baby. Or, you could ask the nurse to ask them to hold the baby away from the smell of the smoke on their chest.

Good Luck Mommy! Both you and the baby will be fine.

Answer 5

First and foremost..... remember this-if you don't stand up for & protect your child, no one will! You have every right, especially when it comes to your childs health. NO ONE.... I repeat NO ONE should be holding the baby until they have washed their hands and neither should they smoke in a vehicle or house with the baby present. If they have a problem with it.... it is just that their problem. Smoking around little ones can bring on asthma and cause major ear infections. My oldest son is now 17(I have 4 boys 17, 14, 12, & 4 mos) & when he was little, they were just coming out with all the second hand smoke information. My father smoked around him & he did have a lot of ear infections & terrible allergies. Yes you can talk to a nurse & they will tell them, but you need to be strong & look out for your child. Again.... any issues will be theirs. You can be strong yet tactful about your wants for your child. You can't protect them from everything, but when it comes to their health, you cannot compromise. And remember this- they can get mad & stay that way or they can get over it.
Good luck & be strong! :)

Answer 6

You should tell your husband and make him handle it. I had the same problem with my family. And i told my mom she had to bring clean clothes to hold the baby. And i still have arguments with her about smoke. We wont go to her house because of the residual smoke in the house. there isn't really an easy way around it. The way i look at it is that our baby can't stand up for itself and its up to my wife and I to be its advocate on issues like this. And I have no problem telling my mom that i dont want the baby smelling like smoke. It was a huge worry for us before the baby arrived so i know what you're feeling.

Answer 7

Your totally right. but I think that you should tell your husband, and hkis family about this issue. I mean, even if you get away from them not touching the baby THIS TIME, there will always be family visits, etc, especially because the babies' so young and everyone wants to see him/her!

and don't even worry about the smell of your newborn....inhaling the smoke (or smell of smoke) from being held, on its first day of life,can seriosuly injure the babies lungs/brain. like, FOR LIFE. So i think that your family should take your request seriosuly, and i'm sure that they'll understand.

Answer 8

smoking alone is just a nasty, selfish thing to do around a newborn. It may be looked down upon, but that is not going to make a court take the child away. as for access to other things like education, transportation, and a good income, as another poster said, that just may not be her fault. that can't be held against her. as long as she is able to get the resources to take care of her child, and her child is doing ok. the courts usually view it in the best interest to keep the mother and child together. i have seen many cases where it is obvious the mother is causing harm, but they still want to work on keeping the family together because they think it will be better. there are many mothers with children in the financial situation that you mentioned. no car- then she can use public transit, friends and family, if all else fails, a stroller and walk. lack of education may mean a more difficult life for her, but that doesn't control the outcome of what she can do with the rest of her life. many parents go to complete or continue their education long after their kids are born. many don't and do well enough or better to take care of their kids. as for support, well the father is also obligated to help. there is nothing wrong with public assistance. and many mothers are not able to support their child with out the help of others....take stay at home moms for example. they rely on their husband's support. so basicly, if she is taking care of her child to the best of her ability, and the child is doing well, then the courts have no business intervening unless someone can show good cause otherwise. if it's just the father showing interest, that's good, that's what joint custody is for and that will be good for the child to have both parents involved in his/her life.

Answer 9

YES! Have your nurse tell whoever they can't hold the baby- nurses are good at this, it's their job to keep that baby and you healthy. I've heard about something like this in my child birthing class- but only it was for mothers who don't wish anyone to be in the room- the nurse who gave my class said that they (the nurses) can say something for you if you feel uncomfortable doing it yourself. So I recommend doing this, and then when your baby is born, don't go to those ppl's homes... have them come to you, and let them know they can't smoke around your baby and must smoke outside. They should respect that- you are the mommy, so you are in control over your baby :)

Goodluck!

Answer 10

It is thoughtless and cruel that your in-laws don't have the common courtesy to avoid smoking around you. So what if
it causes a huge issue? Is the issue of endangering your health and the health of your baby more important? Why won't that
husband of yours speak to them?

Approach them directly. That is the only way. If that doesn't solve the issue, then they are totally selfish. Don't wait for a doctor or nurse to talk with them.