My baby absolutely stinks of cigarettes and im worried about sids

[Jupitertomars]

DD, 11 months was with someone today who doesnt smoke but lives with a very heavy smoker and they were absolutely stinking of cigarettes.

It was the worst thing ive ever smelt in my life (not sure if they had old clothes on or hadnt showered) but ive just put DD down to bed and realised she now stinks of cigarettes despite having a bath.

Shes fast asleep but im worried about cigarettes and the link to SIDs so wondered if I should wake her up and rewash her or is that OTT and she will be fine?

Im so annoyed but couldn't really say anything to the person.

Im so annoyed but couldn't really say anything to the person.

Of course you could. If you're that worried about sids then yes, you could have said something.

I wouldn't leave DD with them again. If they ask why tell them she was returned stinking of cigarette smoke and it isn't healthy for a baby to be in those conditions. They sound like an idiot if they don't already know that.

Yes you could have said something. She's your baby and it's your job to advocate for her, and her best interests.

DS and I live with DM and her husband; they both smoke (only outside). I asked (politely and respectfully) when I moved in if they could wear different jackets to smoke in, wash hands and face on coming back in the house, and not hold DS immediately after a cigarette.

It was a bit awkward on my part, but they absolutely understood. And if they ever smell of smoke, they're happy for me to say so - they love DS (almost) as much as I do - theyd be mortified if he ever smelled of smoke, or was subjected to the effects of their habit.

If you're worried about it- speak up, or don't let DD go to those people again.

I think the risk is less as she is older but maybe co-sleep tonight?

Of course you should have said something

I think the link to sids is more long term and at 11 months sids is rare but they could well have caused other lung damage to your baby by smoking around her
Have you washed her hair and cuddly toys? That's where the smoke might be lingering

Don't panic OP. It's obviously not great but my mum smoked throughout her pregnancies with me and my siblings and like a train throughout all of our childhoods and there isn't a thing wrong with any of us. Not to minimise it as I'd never advocate smoking near a child, but after one day I don't think there's any need to panic. Definitely say something to them so it doesn't happen in future though.

The person doesn't smoke as I said in my OP, they stank of smoke however due to living with a heavy smoker.

@jupiter

Can't you just ask them to make sure they look after your DD when they're freshly showered and in clean clothes?

They weren't looking after DD, they came to my house to visit and I could smell them. They were hardly with DD but maybe held her a couple of times but im convinced I can smell it off her.

Just to clarify, dd was not around anyone that smokes. She was around someone that smelt of smoke due to living with some one that smokes. So Dd smells of smoke due to another person smelling of smoke but not actually smoking.

Is this still a risk to dd?

I wouldn't have thought so

Thanks.

But I'd still co-sleep

You'll be too worried otherwise

OP smoke is a notoriously lingering smell. Don't let them hold DD if the smell transfers and bothers you. She's your baby. I wouldn't worry about sids in this instance though as she wasn't around the smoke just around the clothing of the person living with the smoker.

I would try and put it in perspective. However awful for individual families, very, very few babies die of SIDS.
Secondhand smoking is revolting and does increase risk but there is no proven causality. It could be that smokers tend to be lower socioeconomic groups and so poverty might impact.
Girls are lower risk than boys. Prematurity, low birth weight, chest infection all increase risk. Babies at greatest risk between 2-4 months. Non white babies are at higher risk as are those with extended family history.
You probably need to relax, and plan not to leave the baby where it can be exposed to smoke in future.

I think you might be slightly paranoid OP. Your child will be fine.

She still smells after a bath? How?

Ok thanks for replies. I probably am paranoid but just couldn't believe I could smell it off of her.

She had a very quick bath and hates being washed so I think that's why she may still smell of it, im not sure. I also think im very sensitive to the smell.

Also the person visiting smelt very strongly of smoke. I can only assume they had old clothes on/hadnt showered today/had been around more smoke then usual. It was really over powering.

Oh I thought you meant the baby had been in a smokers house! Im Quite sure the risk to your child after being in the same room as a smoker for a while is incredibly minimal. Please try not to worry too much

I never understood this. How does smoke smell cause sudden infant death? I probably should have questioned it when mine were babies, but it just seemed so far fetched to me that I never even considered it.

The smell is the toxic chemicals...

I think you can smell things on your babies you wouldn't normally notice, because you're so attuned to the smell of them. I can smell peoples perfume on my DD after they've cuddled her even if I couldn't smell it on them at the time.

I don't think third hand smoke for one day will be a huge risk at that age.

I'd probably be extra vigilant anyway because of the paranoia but I wouldn't wake her to rewash.

I never understood this. How does smoke smell cause sudden infant death?

Seriously? You can't see how there could be a link between cigarette smoke and sids