Anybody have a policy in place for chain smoking family members around them and their baby?

Question

For some background I’m a dentist and I HATE cigarettes.  All 4 years of dental school the negative effects of 2nd and 3rd hand smoke (smoke clinging to objects like clothing, wall paper, carpet etc.) were pounded into our heads.  Now that I’m pregnant I’m terrified of family members who chain smoke exposing my baby to 3rd hand smoke.  I probably can’t ask them to take a shower and put on fresh clothes before holding my baby...but maybe I can?  What are yalls thoughts? Anyone have a good role they use with their family members?  Thanks in advance!

Answer

It’s your baby and your choice! Maybe if you can’t get them to do those things you can limit the time they are around the baby...good luck!

Answer

My grandpa smokes a lot! Like 3-4 packs A DAY he’s the only one in our family who smokes anymore. So I’m really glad my mom is super overprotective, she’s the one who told him to take a shower and wash his clothes and limited his time of holding her. It may be going overboard but I’m not taking any risks with my child’s health.

Answer

I didn’t let anyone hold my son that smoked unless they 100% did not smell like it at all and hadn’t smoked recently. I also would never take him anywhere that any smoking happened inside. If someone close to me smoked, I’d make them shower and put on new clothes and probably honestly brush their teeth too, I hate cigarettes that much.

Answer

I straight up told my brother he wasn’t holding my babies as long as he was smoking because the chemicals cling to his clothes.  He actually quit.  Said it was the motivation he needed.

Answer

My mom and dad are heavy smokers, I tell them I love you but you need to wash your hands and cover yourself with blankets. They were totally understanding, I was worried they would be upset with me but they said "your baby your rules"

Answer

My mom smokes like a chimney. She will only be visiting and/or babysitting at my house. Cant do much about the smell in her clothes, but I feel like keeping her from.being in my moms house and car will help tremendously.

Answer

My first kid was born 4 weeks early and spent time in the NICU because his lungs were not fully developed so I was very serious about this. My husband used to be an outdoor smoker and I wouldn’t let him hold our baby until after he showered and changed. He kicked the habit quickly because it was an inconvenience to him and he didn’t want to miss moments with our son. And we simply do not go places or send our kid places where they smoke indoors because of 3rd hand smoke. Thankfully most of our families and friends are non-smokers.

Answer

There’s no way to get the smell off of a heavy smoker. Even if you ask them to wash their hands, eat a mint, change their clothes, it still lingers. I DESPISE cigarettes. Neither of our parents smoke fortunately, but if they did I wouldn’t allow them to stay with us when baby is born or hold my child at all. Not risking my baby’s health for someone’s vices.

Answer

I don’t even let people hold my daughter if they have perfume on. So if they smoke they definitely wouldn’t be touching her u til they changed clothes/showered/washed hands.

Anybody have a policy in place for chain smoking family members around them and their baby?

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