Husband says I stink

[Jez2510]

Hi everyone,

I'm 15 weeks postpartum and breast feeding, I also have an older child in school. When I get back from school run everyday my husband tells me I "stink like wet dog" even if I've had a bath/shower the night before. He says is probably from the hormones from breastfeeding. No one else has mentioned it and I have asked a couple of female friends if I smell and they say no. I'm doing everything I can think of to help with the smell. Using Fussy deodorant, perfume and nice smelling spray on my clothes. Sometimes I have to wash jumpers after only wearing them the once because he says they stink.

Obviously, this is making me feel very self conscious and embarrassed. I don't want him to lie to me, if I smell I'd rather know but I can't live in the shower when I have a baby to look after,

Has anyone got any tips/tricks to help with this? I use Fussy deodorant as most other antiperspirants seem to make me smell worse!

Maybe stay longer on the school run and avoid him

Could it be a "cold" smell as you do school run on foot?

Is it a wool jumper and did you get rained on? Wet wool smells like sheep (but not dog). Still doesn't make it ok for him to say you stink.

I think he has a sinus infection and that his nose only clears enough for him to sniff after he cleans his teeth so he assumes it’s you. Sniff his face and see if you can smell it.

Is DC2 your first child with this man?

You don’t seem to think he’s being an arsehole so I’ll take that at face value.

I’d suspect it’s because you’re going on foot and getting sweaty, which is always worse when it’s damp and humid out. You could try wearing less layers so that you’re not sweating or, as several have said, evaluating what your clothing is made of. Synthetics will definitely get stinky, damp wool and cashmere will smell like sheep/goats, your coat may need washed more frequently or dried more thoroughly, etc.

Or he has a sinus infection. Maybe you could sneak some antibiotics into his food if he’s a doctor-dodger.

It's not your coat, is it? Sometimes they get a musty wet dog smell after being rained on a few times and that could be transferring to your jumpers.

Then he can do the school run?

Are you new to using the Fussy deodorant? I've read that sometimes you'll smell when you first start to use it as your body gets used to not having the same chemicals etc.

I used fussy deodorant stuck with it for ages absolutely fine normally no use whatsoever for sweaty situations. I had to stop using and go back to mitchum deodrant.

Telling your wife they stink like a wet dog is not being blunt, it is being cruel on purpose.

No, he's not a nice guy.

He's an arsehole, at best.

Use Rexona clinical or Mitchum deoderant, and actual soap instead of gel are my only suggestions. When I was pregnant with my 2nd my DH said I smelled weird ( and he was a really nice guy) . Went to the doctor and had an infection. Might be worth getting checked out? The GP will definitely tell you if you smell or not!

He says is probably from the hormones from breastfeeding.

Are you should sure he’s not trying to make you stop breastfeeding? Jealous of the attention baby is getting etc.

It's the fresh morning air your husband doesn't like the smell. I'm also the same if one of my family members goes out in the morning say to grab some milk when they come back they smell like a wet dog and it's unpleasant to me. Maybe wear a hat when you next go out and see if that makes a difference.

What does that have to do with what OP has asked?

I haven't RTFT but maybe he can smell that you're poorly? To me, my kids are absolutely RANK ahead of them being unwell. It smells fetid

Hmm. Your post reminded me of a Reddit story in which a woman was regularly told by her boyfriend that she stank. She had good hygiene and nobody else found her smelly, so eventually she told him that if her smell was so offensive to him, they should just break up. He then panicked and explained that he’d been telling her she smelled so she’d never cheat or leave him.

I’m not saying this is what your husband is doing, but I’m always suspicious when an OP tells us her DH is so nice, lovely etc in spite of the nasty things he’s doing/saying to her. If he was truly a nice guy, he’d say it gently and try to help you solve the problem. Instead, he’s putting you down and making you feel shit. What does he hope to accomplish from this?

Next time he says you smell just tell him His nose is too close to his arse.

Does your husband say you smell at any other time? What does he say when he gets home from work? I assume you have washed your coat you wear on the school run?
Did you have a normal delivery or a C-section? Do you have any vaginal discharge? It might be worth making an appointment with the GP or midwife to discuss this so they can check you for infection.
How long has he been saying this? If it is new it does suggest it could be real but may be him rather than you and a sinus infection or tooth infection is a possibility on his side so if no one else can smell it on you it may be him.
Can he not do the school run so you can shower and get ready for the day?
Do check again with a trusted person to see if it is you that smell. If not it is his problem!!!!
Good luck

I was wondering the same.

Wet wool?

I also think it might be your coat. My friend has a coat that stinks like fox pee, both her and multiple friends claim they can't smell it, but people move away from her whenever she wears it out. She doesn't smell though, just the evil coat.

Why doesn’t he do the school run?

Me too. I was wondering if he is picking up on something.

It is a very specific thing - wet dog.

There could well be something in it.

Could you get a "nose" either from a perfume shop or a wine shop to have a sniff?
(Joking of course).

Even if you do, that's not a very nice way to say it, is it.

I definitely smelled different to myself when breastfeeding. Not strong, or more, but my body's scent was different. It's possible maybe that he's very attuned to how you (subtly) smell, so the difference is striking to him. Does he have any sensory issues/ sensitivities?

I seriously doubt you "stink like wet dog" and I wonder if people are right it's something outside or surely you would smell worse before you went out, right after bf baby and before fresh air?

Is this some kind of Andrew Tate shit?

Is he trying to stop you breastfeeding? Is he jealous of the attention?

Please stop using lots of scent etc btw as you'll upset the baby.

Whether you stink or not, your husband seems to be a prize dick.

Suspect you've been signed off by the midwife by now, but are you due a HV appointment? Or GP appointment for anything you can ask about this during?

Definitely insist your friends tell you the truth. Tell then your husband insists it's true, and you need to know. Tell them exactly what he's said, see what they say...