Do you use perfume when you have a baby?

[Kione]

I am big into perfumes, is a hobby for me, I have lots of bottles, samples, etc. and I like researching and testing them.
I had DS nearly 6 weeks ago and am breastfeeding. I feel like perfume might bother him and I haven't been wearing any. But I am starting to miss it a lot.
I was just curious to know what other people do.

[Kione]

Yeah, that's what I did, sprayed on my hair and arm, covered by sleeve.
More than using, I miss trying perfumes so those two spots are good.

[RoboticSealpup]

No I didn't. I even bought an aluminium-free, fragrance-free deodorant that I used for the duration of breastfeeding. It didn't work, but I was mainly slobbing around in sweats at this point so some sweaty armpits didn't make a huge difference to my levels of 'glam'.

[InTheKitchenAtParties]

I didn't wear perfume in the first few weeks, because I couldn't be arsed tbh. If you are concerned about it affecting baby you could spritz a little in your hair, and tie it up for feeding?

[SnowWhite33]

I also wanted to add there is no way i would not use deodorant. Whats next, no shampoo or shower gel either, or maybe no shower at all?
I honestly think we overthink these things nowadays ( like in pregnancy suddenly you are not allowed anything, even face creams are evil)

[SnowWhite33]

The first few weeks probably not, i was just trying to settle and recover, and wearing a perfume is a bit of "dressing up" for me. But later yes, absolutely, i dont see why not. I never spray on my boobs
I think its important to feel good about yourself, so if thats what you like then go for it

[GoosevonMoose]

With my first I was told in out NCT and it was one of the recommendations from the lactation specialist when I struggled with my first. It made sense to me so I didn't use it. I'm sure there's not exactly prospective randomised data out there!

[NarkyMcDinkyChops]

What advice not to? Who from?

Babies recognise their mothers whether they wear perfume or not!

[GoosevonMoose]

I followed the advice not to with my first for 6 months. This time I'll probably do the same. I too didn't use deodorant for the first two weeks until I was sure BF was working and the baby had it sorted. I've only had winter babies though.

[NickyEds]

I just wore perfume as I would if not bf. Both babies bf and bonded beautifully.

[TimidLividyetagain]

So I didn't use it when feeding them

[TimidLividyetagain]

My baby would not breastfeed when I put in perfume while breastfeeding in the first few months one day he cried all day untill I figured it out and had a bath doing didn't use any

[Kmxxx14]

I don't as I'm BF DD & I hate when she smells of other people's perfume.

[Kione]

Oh and the comment was for Ballerina's crocheting the house post

[Kione]

Each to their own, does not mean I am better than you. I have another kid too but I didn't have the perfume thing then and I can't remember if I wore any on the early weeks/months.

[Kione]

What??

[FourKidsNotCrazyYet]

Wow, my comment wasn't sarcastic, I just have other children so I have some perspective! You asked and I was just trying to be reassuring. But yes, you're right. I'm such a shit mother for wearing perfume. You are so much better than me, preferring your babies natural smell. Are you going to shout me down for breastfeeding too?

[glueandstick]

Never crossed my mind not to.

[Kione]

So I sprayed a little on my forearm and I got a headache
Not sure if due to perfume or not...
Not impressed with the sarcastic comments, each to their own hey? Like many others I like my baby's natural smell and the perfume "sticks" to them. I also think our natural smell is important in the early days.

[AlfaMummy]

I also love perfume but stopped using it when my daughter was born. Only started again when she was about 4 months old. In the early days your natural smell is so important to baby, it helps them recognise their mum. By 4 months I could tell she visually recognised me - and others too, so I thought I could go back to perfume. I only use it high on my neck - I don't spritz my chest area, so she still gets 'my' smell during feeds.

[Littleballerina]

Really???
I stopped wearing clothes and crocheted my house to make sure it didn't affect my parenting.

Please look back at this thread when your dc is 16. Shits, giggles and Chanel.
Wear your perfume. Don't over think it.

[TwoDogs9]

I haven't worn perfume since having my LO nearly six weeks ago and in fact don't even wear deodorant as I'm breastfeeding and don't want the scent to interfere (or my baby getting a nose full of the stuff when he's on the boob!).

[babyinthacorner]

No. But only because I prefer the smell of him to anything else! Hate it when he's had cuddles with other people and gets given back smelling of them.
My best friend knows - the first time she met him, she said "Come on, hand him over - I'm not wearing perfume!" We hadn't even had that conversation!

[skankingpiglet]

I don't and haven't really since my pfb came along. Two and a half years have past and another baby arrived since then. Pregnancy seems to have done lasting damage to my sense of smell, and on the odd occasions I've thought I'd try it again I feel sick, headachey, and light-headed fairly quickly. I tried again today funnily enough: first time in several months and only half a squirt at a distance. Soon felt a headache coming on I would love to wear perfume again to mask the fact I don't always make it into the shower in the morning chaos and hope normal nasal service will be resumed soon.

[FourKidsNotCrazyYet]

I wore it all the time. I don't feel dressed without it. Didn't spray it straight on my boobs though. Breastfed until each child was nearly three. They didn't care

[namechange20050]

All perfume etc made me feel ill until my baby was about 9 months old so I avoided it. I figured it made me feel sick for a reason! I also used natural deodorant during this time as regular deodorant made me nauseous.