Cigarette smoke...

Laura - posted on 03/24/2013

You can't tell someone what to do in their own home. Get out as soon as you can. Smoking is a deal breaker for me, but apparently it isn't for you. Have your baby's ped talk to the boyfriend, maybe he'll quit.

Kristen - posted on 06/23/2010

Sorry let me clarify, my mother in law was not trashy simply because she smokes, but because she had the nerve to smoke in my home when my husband and I asked her not to. Even before we were expecting we asked her to stop. When she finally stopped trying to sneak a smoke in my house I then had to explain that smoking with the door open doesn't qualify as smoking outside; the smoke still came in. And also since I'm ranting and rambling, cigarette smoke will not simply stay in one room. They will transfer 3rd smoke EVERYWHERE they go, and not to mention your CENTRAL air conditioning . . . It circulates air throughout the house.

Ok sorry I had to clarify . . .

Kristen - posted on 06/23/2010

YES!! Some research studies show that your baby is FOUR TIMES more likely to die from SIDS. My mother in law was trashy enough to smoke in my house when I was pregnant and I asked her not to. I was already aware of the harmful effects 2nd hand smoke and 3rd hand smoke has on babies in the womb and after birth however I had to educate her. I also had to gain the support of my husband so that we were on the same page. I would print research articles that showed evidence that cigarettes were harmful and potentially deadly to babies. If you would like to educate yourself, along with your parents, use google scholar and simply search infants and 2nd & 3rd hand smoke. You will be hard pressed to find scholarly articles that say smoking is ok in the house with a baby living there. Educate yourself so that you know what is best for your child.

Eloise Aka Ella, Elle, Ellie, Oi, Tart Etc... - posted on 06/20/2010

There are different opinions about this issue - many of them revolve around different eras i.e. when it wasn't a problem for mothers and others to smoke around their babies/children. I personally smoked for 7 years before giving up (without any problems) 4 months before I found out I was pregnant. I personally believe that if you stick to a healthy lifestyle while pregnant then if your child's health is affected in someway when they are growing up then at least you have some peace of mind knowing you didnt help cause their illness. My ex-partner (and the father of my daughter) mother and father (espec his mother) are addicted smokers. She still believes in not washing her hands when touching my daughter after several ciggerettes or even after using the loo! Also do you really want your baby's clothers smelling of smoke? I know I didnt and still don't - Good Luck!

Ashley - posted on 06/20/2010

I also have been smoked around my whole life, My dad did nothing but smoke up the house when I was a baby. My mom didn't smoke. My grandmother did and she held me all the time and smoked in the house.. I'm fine but as many agree just because I'm alright doesn't mean someone else wasn't alright in the same situation.

My step father is very selfish, When I mentioned that "If you smoking in the house is more important than your granddaughter... " he just got angry and threw a fit..

And to add on to the problem.. the bathroom that they smoke in has no windows..
It drives me nuts that this is so important to them.

Whether a health risk or not, You should be able to be grown enough to give up something that could potentially harm your baby or grandbaby.
I quit smoking cold turkey the day I found out I was pregnant.. It's not like I'm asking them to do that!

Amanda - posted on 06/19/2010

No matter how you slice it, smoking is bad for all parties- the smoker and those she/he is around. However, you cannot really expect people to give up so a vice even though you're pregnant. It is a sticky situation, and it seems like you have done your best. If they refuse to smoke outside, I would not let my child in their room-at all for anything. Also, you should probably invest in a house cleaning, including the scrubbing of ALL surfaces before the baby comes if it all possible. And yes, the smokers should have to clean up before holding the baby. My best to you and your child!

Jennifer - posted on 06/17/2010

Of course the lingering smoke can harm the baby..not only will it be breathing in 2nd hand smoke but when your parents or boyfriend touch your baby they will be exposing it to third hand smoke from their breath skin and clothing. google it online.
Now I probably won't be popular but the simple fact is that you are living at your parents house and if they do not want to stop smoking in it , they don't have to..it's their house. It would definitely be the right thing to do for your babys health, your health and their health ..but if they don't you will just have to make the decision what you are going to do about it...stay or move , your choice ,your life, your baby

Virginia - posted on 06/17/2010

Yes, the smoke will harm the baby and you and them. Your family should smoke outside, away from the house and any open windows or doors, and they should wash their hands and change their clothes before you let them near your child!!!!!! And, unless you plan on keeping your child in a bubble, the smoke coming from your parent's bedroom/bathroom will contaminate the whole house. It will seep out from under the doors and through the walls and get into your child's clothing, bedding and his/her system. In addition to the health problems other women have mentioned, the smoke could affect your milk supply if you decide to breast feed. The whole house should be aired out and you should get a hepa-filter air purifier and use it throughout the entire house before your child arrives!

Sarah - posted on 06/17/2010

The bottom line is it's a risk to your child. A child may be fine, or they may not be. Obviously, many of us have parents who smoked and some of us turned out ok, others have health problems resuting from the smoke. just as smoking cigarettes doesn't guarantee lung cancer, it doens't exactly improve your chances of a long life either. I quit when we started trying to have Zoe and my husband has to smoke outside (and is trying Chantix) and no one is allowed to smoke in the house or in the car. She could be fine, but she could have a problem too, you never know. It's just one of the many precautions I take like using a car seat- sure she can ride without one, but what if??

Nikki - posted on 06/16/2010

I am a smoker. I smoke outside, never ever around my son. Yes my mom smoked while prego, all around me when I was a kid, in the car, in the house, hell I even have baby pics of me in one arm and a smoke in the other, and I was fine as was my brother, but regardless. I just dont want my poor son to have to suffer because of my nasty habit. My family and my husbands family smokes and all our friends do. We have never taken my son anywhere where people smoke inside or near him, but we also have never had to ask either. Every time we go somewhere, where people smoke inside, they spend the entire day airing out the house, his mom no longer smokes inside and we only go up to her place once every 2 weeks. Its common sense and should be a give in that they respect your wishes. there is nothing wrong with going outside. I live in a very cold city in the winter and I have no problem going out to have a smoke, I cant even imagine us lighting up inside even if my son wasnt home, it just seems wrong to me, and Im a smoker

Rebecca - posted on 06/16/2010

There are a lot of people that will say that they were around smoke, or even that they DID smoke, throughout the duration of their pregnancy and that their babies came out fine. While that's truly a blessing, that also makes them the exception to the rule. It's not worth risking your child's health - or your own - to expose your lungs and your child's to cigarettes. There's a reason cigarettes have warning labels, there's a reason doctors tell women to stay away from cigarette smoke when they're pregnant, and there's a reason pregnant women in smoky bars get dirty looks from the other patrons - because it's wrong, and it's selfish.

That being said - I realize you live in their house, but this is YOUR baby. You need to sit them down and very firmly, but politely, explain that you simply can not be exposed to cigarette smoke, and that you can not allow for your child to be exposed to it. Lingering smoke can harm a baby - cigarette smoke seeps in to everything. This is why apartment complexes frequently have to repaint apartments in which the previous occupant was a smoker: there are so many toxins in the smoke, that the chemical residue stains the walls. That is NOT a room you want your child sleeping in.

See if you can come to any sort of compromise with them. This is their grandbaby - I'm sure if you let them know that you have a true and deep concern for your baby's health, then they'll work with you to come to an agreement that works for everyone involved.

Amanda - posted on 06/16/2010

I'm probably going to be in trouble for saying this but here goes... I was around cigarette smoke my entire pregnancy, my spouse and everyone else smokes around my daughter. She is a year old and her lungs are perfect. My mother smoked while pregnant with me and I grew up around people who smoked, I smoked for 5 years, my only problem is asthma and that's hereditary. Cigarette smoke doesn't ever trigger my asthma. If you're concerned don't take the baby in your parents bedroom and invest in a fan.

Morgan - posted on 06/16/2010

yes.
everyone should smoke outside, even smoke left on their hands and clothes can harm your baby, and make it easier for him/her to get sick withs colds and flus and can even cause Asthma.