Tell me I'm worrying over nothing

[StripyDeckchair]

Okay - this might sound crazy but I'm currently being treated for postnatal anxiety, so I can't always easily distinguish between a reasonable and an unreasonable fear.

We're at my parents staying over for the first time since my DS was born 4 months ago. My Dad quit smoking a couple of years ago and they have moved house since then. They've recently rearranged things in their new house and a bunch of my Dad's old clothes are now being stored in the spare room. The thing is the room smells vaguely of smoke.

I'm trying to tell myself that after 2 years and probably having been washed anyway there's no risk from a slightly smoky odour on the clothes but I've been googling third hand smoke like crazy and I can't stop worrying about DS sleeping in that room.

We don't really have any other options as there's nowhere else to sleep or to store the clothes at the moment. Other than that the only option is pack up and leave.

My anxiety is very high and I worry I won't get any sleep worrying about DS. Please tell me to calm down!

I'm here to tell you that it's absolutely fine.
Think of everything other children survive. You are right to be a vigilant parent. I too suffer from anxiety and can see your point of view but I promise it's ok xxx

It will be fine. Worry not.

I have postnatal anxiety too and spent many hours googling third handsmoke and freaking out unnecessarily. Despite a lot of scare stories there really isn't a lot of evidence for it actually causing any harm. You will be fine; baby will be fine. Get some sleep x

I too, had post natal anxiety. I fretted about everything, googled everything. I felt completely out of control. I saw a risk in absolutely everything it was exhausting. It wasn't restricted to day time, I'd be up so many times creeping into her room to check she was still breathing and when it really took hold I brought her in to my bed so I could check all the time, sounds mad writing it down but my point is post natal anxiety can be so powerful you'll talk yourself in to all sorts. Now I'm "over" it (she's 19 months) with my logical head on the situation you describe is absolutely fine. I would make sure you're getting support with your anxiety though as, if you're anything like me, you'll be finding all sorts of "risks", it does slowly get better though.

Your baby will not come to harm. I also had postnatal anxiety and it can get out of control. I hope you recover from it quickly. Hugs

I also agree that getting sleep helps
Massively! Be kind to yourself

Thank you so much. Google is so often my downfall. My support person who I am seeing regularly for the PNA is trying to get me to commit to stepping away from the internet when my anxiety is high. I did manage that for a few days at one point and felt so much better for it.

Anyway, I mentioned it as casually as possible to my mum and she just said no problem and moved most of the stuff somewhere.

Phoenix - your experience sounds so similar to mine. It's taken a while for me to realise it's not normal to feel like this.

Today I convinced myself he was seriously ill when he was still and quiet on a short drive. Yep - that's called being peacefully asleep.

Thanks everyone.

It's ok, you will get through this. So you get any sleep? Mine was made so much worse by not getting sleep. Get it however you can - daytime naps etc.
Stepping away from the Internet is hard but absolutely the right thing to do. Trust yourself

I didn't realise it wasn't normal, my dp did and booked me in to the gp's, I was furious at the time but grateful after, especially when I finally got some sleep! I wish you all the best, I really understand, but don't let it take you away from enjoying your baby, I made that mistake! And no, Dr Google is not your friend, he only ever gives a grim verdict!