Smoking in the house, but not around me??

[Oneluv118]

im 5mos and my mom smokes in the house but not when im there. When im there she'll go outside.......Am I still breathing in the toxic air from the fibers in the rug? Or in the bed & pillow when I sleep over? I come home smelling like smoke..this worries me a little bit. I know second hand smoke is very bad, so she knows not to smoke in the house when im there.......its just inbedded in everything. Whats your opinion?

[Victoria01]

My stepfather smokes but the moment he found out I was pregnant with my first son he started smoking outside all the time and scrubbed their house from top to bottom. He has not smoked in their home for over four years. I do not expect him to quit (though it would be nice) but he has done just about everything so that we are not around the smoke. He doesn't even smoke near the house. I think you should sit down and have a heart to heart with your mom and talk about your concerns. Most grandparent do not intentionally want to do anything to hurt their grandchildren. :)

[Oneluv118]

You need to put your foot down! I asked the doc about and she said that although your not directly inhaling smoke, it will settle on dust and fabrics and is still unhealthy to be around. I was worried too about hurting her feelings, but you need to put your baby's health first!

[Ready_4_Baby_2]

Oh boy! I am faced with this problem every year. My mom want my daughter to come for spring break and summer break and I can't do it. Three people live in her house and they all smoke, 2 smoke cigarettes and one a cigar. Imagine the smell in that house right! Anyways when they come to visit I can smell it in their clothes and they are washed before they come. When I let my daughter go for spring break last year I had to wash everything! Her hair, clothes and we left the suitcase in the garage for a while. I am afraid to let her go this year and Im afraid of hurting my mom's feelings. I know they wont smoke outside, my mom knows the risk but will say there are other things that will kill you too. So I know I wont be down there while Im pregnant at all. Too much stress. Some smokers dont realize that it gets in your cloths and breath and doesnt go away.

[Oneluv118]

Yep! My fiance smells it as soon as I get home & it drives him nuts, and I hate the fact that my hair and clothes reak of smoke. I told her that I wont be hanging around much and she was pretty upset with me. I only stay for an hour or 2 but even that I feel is too much.

[Heatherm4]

I have the same problem...thank God it's starting to get nice out here. My mom actually quite smoking when she found out I was pregnant but my step-dad still does and will smoke in the house but when I'm there he goes outside. You can still smell it and if you can smell it on your clothes and in your hair then you are definitely breathing it in still!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Yes you can be inhaling residual second hand smoke.  When I went to visit my mother a few years ago at her house I had my kids, 2 of whom have allergy related asthma, I asked her to start smoking outside for 2 weeks before we got there and to open windows and doors as often as possible to air out her house.  She was happy to oblige, after all they are her grandchildren and though she smokes she's not blind to the affects it has on others, especially young children or pregnant woman.

If you can plan your visits to your mothers I would ask her if she could start smoking outside atleast several hours prior to your arrival and to open doors and windows to let a fresh breeze come through.  If she's not willing to do that or it's not possible perhaps your visits should be at restaurants or your place.   You sure as heck won't want to take your newborn baby over there to breath that stuff in.  

I also agree with 30something13.

[Oneluv118]

Thats exactly how I feel, its not worth it. I will keep my distance.

[30something13]

Yes you need to stay away and when the abby is born she will need to change her shirt before holding the baby. They did a study last year and I forget the link but it was done in KY. I know the lady who did it. Well they took hair amples from babies who mothers smoked while pregnant and babies who's mothers were in homes with smokers or around smokers at least 50% of the time. The babies at birth had the same amount of carbon dioxide in a breath test/ and blood test. Also they took hair smaple and they both had the smae ammount in their hair samples!! Second hand smoke is very dangerous!! Also third hand smoke, which is being in a home that has smokers but they never smoke around you. It is on the coverings of the house and it seeps in the walls etc... My kids never were sick except for when their grandmatoher came to see them and hold them they always got ear infections! I had her change clothes when she got there and wash her face if she was to kiis them and her hands and arms and they never got an ear infection again! MY doctor told me about third hand smoke. He also said that smokers breath out so much cerbon dioxide that it can go into a babies mouth if they are close enough and they can have asthma from it!! I know lots of people say they can't say anything at someones house but you can! If they watn you there no one has the right to put you in harm! It is best just not go there at all or take the baby there! I know grandparents say that is not fair but neither is their smoking that can harm you and the baby!

[JoyRenee]

That is so gross and I would stay away.

[Renshai]

I know that at my mother-in-law's house her many years of smoking have left a film of tobacco on the walls and on the furniture. I don't know if this is as toxic as second hand smoke but personally I wouldn't chance it. Why take a chance with your little one?