Clothes donated from a smoker - health risks?

[supergreenuk]

I am expecting a baby and I have been given a bag of lovely baby clothes. They are obviously from a smoker. I am washing them but is there any chance there can still be traces of chemicals still on the clothes? Obviously I will do everything I can to protect my baby from SIDS.

[bagelmonkey]

I wouldn't take them. I think there's more to the risks from cigarette smoke than just SIDS, like asthma, too.
But that's just me. Lots of smokers have healthy children.

[whomovedmychocolate]

First baby? :)

Washing them on a hot wash should remove any nicotine traces.

I doubt you can get asthma from a babygro which has been in the same house as a smoker in another room

Yes it's an unpleasant smell but it goes with a good wash (use stain remover and then rewash with baby friendly stuff to remove the stain remover - vinegar works pretty well too).

[ChristinedePizan]

If you wash them, I'd think there was no risk. I think it's a bit paranoid to ditch them. You're much more likely to have a stillbirth than a baby die of SIDS (sorry, I know that's a horrible thing to even think about but the Count the Kicks campaign has made me realise where we should focus anxiety)

[supergreenuk]

No second. Why? Do I sound like a paranoid, worrying 1st timer?

Well I have washed them twice on a hot wash and they are now on the line. You have no idea guys just how bad they smelt. While sorting them I had to wash my hands as they stank. My husband couldn't bear it.
I will see how I feel when they come off the line. I'm afraid if I can smell even the trace of smoke they will be going to the charity shop.

My parents were smokers and I grew up feeling Ill with it all the time. I am afraid I am quite passionate about protecting my child from such a disgusting habit.

[whomovedmychocolate]

A leetle bit

I understand completely and my nose was in overdrive when I was pregnant too!

If they still stink, if you dump them in a bucket with hot water and soda crystals it will eat the smells and the stains too. You can then wash them. If you like, or you can chuck them. The charity shop will be grateful for them. But I do understand your PoV :)

[supergreenuk]

Thanks for the advise. They seem okay so I'm going to keep them I think.

[LordOfTheFlies]

When my DD was a baby my ILs used to send me clothes. I could smell the clothes before I even opened them, they reeked of smoke.

Do you think these clothes got anywhere near my daughters skin?

They were binned straight away. I had to ask her not to buy any clothes ( said her size wasn't in line with her age so hard to guess it)
And they were always cerise pink.Bleurgh.

Ungrateful cow emoticon

[whomovedmychocolate]

Lordoftheflies - tip for the future - get a bucket with a lid - and when such things arrive put them in the bucket - pour on top hot water and soda crystals and pop the lid on (make sure it's not airtight or it will explode - it eats the smells then at least you can just wash them and give them to the charity shop.

I can totally understand what you are all saying though - someone gave me a buggy once which smelled of fags and I'm afraid I waited all of three minutes before putting it on Freecycle (I did state in advert 'smells like a chain smoker died while pushing it')

[supergreenuk]

Oh you two. Putting doubt in my mind again. I just can't seem to get my brain past it I have to admit.