no perfume while visiting baby?

bmolson1

I'm curious what you mamas think about this.  When DD#1 was born and my MIL would come visit, she'd always wear perfume.  She's the type to wear a LOT of perfume.  Problem is that she'd  hold DD and then DD would smell like my MIL for a while (sometimes onto the next day).  I have no scientific proof of it, but I always felt like it interfered with nursing, if nothing else because it was a constant reminder of whatever nasty/offensive thing MIL decided to say that visit.  I tried swaddling DD whenever I handed her to MIL, but MIL would unwrap her so she could snuggle (grrr!).

So, do you think it's ok to ask people not to wear perfume when visiting a new baby?  It seems like such a weird request to put out there, but I don't want to have to bathe my newborn every time she comes over.  My other thought is just to babywear as much as possible when MIL is around, but I'm sure she'll pitch a fit if I don't let her hold the baby.

BeachBabe22

I would wait until after your baby is born and see how it goes.  Maybe you can let your MIL know that your little one has sensitive skin so please no perfume or anything else that could irritate her skin. 

verveine407

I say wait too. You may have to pick your battles and I wouldn't want to spend my new baby free pass rule on something too early.

Sense of smell and taste starts to diminish in older people so she may not even realize her perfume is so overwhelming. Perhaps a close family member could bring it up and get her to lighten it up? Though, once again you have to pick your battles.

Good luck! :-)

thefuturemrsdaniel

Yeah I think @BeachBabe22 has the right idea. By making it sounds like she's protecting the baby she's more likely to do it. By just saying please don't wear perfume she'll ask why and there's no nice way to say I don't want to think of you when I smell it later haha

DreaMak

I would personally, only because i have a neice who always had a reaction to perfume/ anything scented and no one knew untill she broke out.
(Obviously she is allergic to anything scented)

Elizabeth043086

Ugh I HATE perfume when I have a new baby.  I use NOTHING scented when my babies are new.  I'm like you, nothing scientific, but it just feels like it does interfere.  I hated getting my baby back after someone was holding him and he stink of some flowering junk or have make up smeared all over his clothes.  Yeah, I could never ask someone not to, but I hate it all the same.  Honestly even if they weren't wearing perfume, I just thought my baby smelled weird when others got done holding him perfume or not.  It makes me glad I breastfeed because it makes sure I get to hold the baby more than others do and I LOVE it.  I plan on babywearing A LOT this time.  Hopefully she'll love it and not want me to not wear her.  I know I sound terribly selfish, but I HATE sharing my new baby.

lsmom56

It is scientific...there are many studies out there about the effects of phthalates (artificial fragrances) on fetuses and newborns. Print some out, give them to her, and tell her that it is bad for the baby.

nflan16

Had the exact same thing happen with my MIL. At the hospital, anytime she held my son he started crying, so we said maybe he doesn't like how strong your perfume is?? She felt bad and stopped using it, so he took care of the problem for us haha. I do hate when others would hold him and he would come back stinking like perfume. I always wanted to bathe him right away because I hate that strong floral smell!

bmolson1

I'm so glad I'm not the only one.  I honestly felt really selfish and silly for thinking that way, but it REALLY bothered me.  I just want to cocoon up with my little baby and not have to interact with the outside world for a while.  I appreciated having people bring meals or whatever over, but I didn't want them to stay and I really didn't want them to get between me and my baby!  We'll see how I feel after this one comes because now I have a 2 year old too.  But I think I'm still gonna feel like a mama bear about both my girls!

cjstats87

I ALWAYS tell people no perfumes or lotions on anything that will touch baby...my mil wears a horrific musk perfume that lingered for EVER on DD 1 and I nipped that in the butt asap! Also make it a rule to put a recieving blanket over their clothing just incase they "forget" about putting it on and show up anyway bc of fabric softeners scents. I became almost crazy bc DD1 would break out in a rash on her face and eyes from my mil and it wasn't even a scent thing but something mil took and was expelling through her skin...There are ways around things! Good luck!

heidi3189

I wouldn't allow people to hold my son when they were wearing perfume. I don't think it's wrong to request people not to. My son would break out in rashes. To me it's no different than asking people to wash their hands. A newborn baby is sensitive.

jwebbbber45678

Thank god no one I know wears perfume, I would not like the smell either!

YTuMamaTambien

This isn't something I'd ever considered and luckily it wasn't an issue with my oldest but I think just in case I will implement the same rule. Same goes for smokers.