Reed diffusers and Scented Candles around Babies?

[JingleJake]

Are they ok to have around?

Lo is not crawling yet but I’m always burning a scented candle in the kitchen and the bathroom, with a reed diffuser in the spare room and landing

Is this ok? A mum friend came round the other day and told me I shouldn’t have them around babies

My three year old pulled my wax burner onto herself months ago. It's was electric so no flame and it didn't burn her but her hair was a mess..... she did smell nice tho 😂😂😂 and after the initial shock we laughed. However, I don't like the flame ones. I have got one but won't have it on till she's in bed. My older kids are more of an issue coz they throw stuff around and break things. As long as everything is out of baby's reach, you'll be ok

Thanks! Glad she’s ok 😂

The smell it pretty strong but I wear perfume etc so thinking it’s not really a problem!

To start you have the effect of stongly smelling chemicals on babies.

Even if you don’t think that is a problem (i have no idea whether it is proven or not, but i know such things make me sneezy and light headed, i can’t stay in a house with them) there’s the fire risk with candles, and the risk of your baby coming into contact with or ingesting the oil in the diffuser.

As with everything, it’s balance of risk. To me the risk isn’t worth it as I don’t think scented stuff is necessary in normal houses. But if the smell is so important to you, you decide whether the slight risk is worth it.

I love scented candles but just had a baby and am being cautious, so won't be lighting any until he is older.

I'm with reallyanotherone

As an asthmatic and a migraine sufferer I couldn't enter your house. To me they aren't nice smells but pollutants.

Houses don't need them. I wouldn't think babies do either.

Interesting points thanks!

Definitely not “so important” was just for when visitors come etc

It’s definitely not an overwhelming smell as it’s not a small house and I have the windows open daily.

Appreciate your comments I think I’ll stick to one in the bathroom for DH I’m sure that won’t cause harm

It’s definitely not an overwhelming smell as it’s not a small house and I have the windows open daily

Why do you have them then? Do you like the smell?

For some reason i can smell the chemical scents the minute I walk in the door, they are always overwhelming to me because they go right to the back of my nose.

I was househunting recently and the number of artifically scented houses. I don’t normally let stuff like that put me off as they’re easily removed but viewing a house, trying not to cry/sneeze while just wanting to get out of there- i did not want to go back to those houses.

The stronger ones I also wondered what horrific smell they were trying to cover up!

It’s a nice subtle smell with the windows open so it smells fresh and clean and to ensure no chemical smell.

Good to know re househunting

I would not like any strong candles, diffusers or plug in things around my home,with a baby.. All these things are not good at all. They are clever advertising things, that say, buy me.I can get rid of all your home odours,your pet smells, your cooking smells, your bathroom smells, and so forth.

It's the same with fabric softners- very clever marketing with fresh breezes, children running over the hills etc, but at the end of the day it's very cheap perfume with chemicals. We spend a lot of money on nice perfumes then spoil it with the pungent scent of cheap fabric softners...

I'm a fresh air girl, myself.

fedup.com.au/factsheets/support-factsheets/fumes-and-perfumes

fedup.com.au/factsheets/additive-and-natural-chemical-factsheets/inhaled-salicylates

I didn't use perfume, burn scented candles or incense etc when mine were babies. It just felt wrong to pollute their air like that.