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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

second hand from smokers?

5 replies

ellymouse · 13/12/2009 22:13

Hello everyone, a lot of friends of myself and my husband have had babies in the past few years, so when we announced I was pregnant the offers of stuff flooded in.
I was a smoker before I got pregnant so didn't stop to think about the fact all these people smoke too, indoors. Even though I quit smoking I didn't really think about the fact any of their donations had been smoked around.
Until tonight!
I was sitting here chatting with my mum when I mentioned that a friend had offered a moses basket (I know to buy the mattress new), pushchair and barely used car seat. The first thing my mum said was do they smoke? I told her they do and she said that there could be links with cot death and that anything secon hand that has been smoked around will be bad for the baby and the babies breathing. I'm quite stunned as I had thought that once washed everything would be fine but now I'm really worried.
Does anyone know anything about this? Should I now not accept anything from my friends? I'm on a very very low income so these gifts were going to be a godsend, I don't know how I can afford these things new but if they put the baby at unnecessary risk what choice do I have? So please please if anyone knows or has any advice I'm very worried.
Thank you.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
thisisyesterday · 13/12/2009 22:17

it's recommended that you always get new mattresses for cots/moses baskets etc

i personally wouldn't want anything that smelled of smoke near a newborn baby

thisisyesterday · 13/12/2009 22:18

i am sure you can find other items that will be fine though, have a look on ebay, or in local charity shops, or on freecycle.
check out the for free section on here.

I am sure you'll be fine, a new baby doesn't need that much stuff tbh!

fiziwizzle · 14/12/2009 16:57

Wash anything that's washable and I'm sure they will all be fine. The mattress may have retained smoke but you'll be getting a new one of those anyway. I don't see how a car seat can retain smoke. I'd accept the freebies.

BarbieLovesKen · 14/12/2009 17:27

I think it would be ridiculous to pass up these freebies for this reason!, I think your mother is being a little OTT.

As you've already said, you are getting new mattresses so thats the main thing - fabrics will hold the smoke smell so wash any a couple of times and just give hard surfaces a good wash down and all will be perfect!!!

The very best of luck

thisisyesterday · 14/12/2009 20:32

but smoke is virtually impossible to get rid of, even if you wash it

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