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May 2012 Moms
Stinky diapers- already!
Well, sort of. My MIL threw a shower for me last weekend. It was great; she truly put a lot of time into planning it all. She made me a diaper cake. I am so very appreciative of the time and energy she put into making it-- but, she's a smoker. And now, the diaper cake stinks. Like not just a smokey smell, but a terrible dirty, nasty bar-like smell. (Yes, their house smells like that, and I am NOT looking forward to holidays with LO, ugh, that's a whole other post!)
So, what do I do with these stinky diapers? The clothes she bought for LO will obviously be washed (twice), and the diaper bag should airout- but I don't want to be wasteful and toss the diapers in the trash. But I think I may have to...
This whole smoking-topic is causing me anxiety-- so what would you do? Thanks ladies 
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Re: Stinky diapers- already!
It's caused by 3rd hand smoke, toss 'em out. The diaper bag can probably be washed. Most can. Otherwise, they wouldn't be very practical...
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=what-is-third-hand-smoke
Probably not usable if you're concerned about exposure to smoke (I'd be the same way; my ILs smoke inside their home and we're rarely over there; DD#1 has asthma for crying out loud--I'm lucky they don't push the issue with me!).
However, someone somewhere doesn't have even stinky diapers for their baby; can you donate them instead of tossing out?
Make a pregnancy ticker
This is a good point. Someone may be so desperate (or may be a smoker themselves) that smokey-smelling diapers may not bother them.
Bummer that you can't use them though.
Can you donate them? Or if you know anybody who smokes with a baby possibly give them to them as they wouldn't notice the smell.
You can also always throw them away or save them for days you are going to visit your MIL and you will all end up smelling that way by the end anyways.
I understand your feelings 100%! My mom and dad brought over the cradle last weekend (it's a 100 year old, family tradition cradle) and it smells simply FOUL because of my dad being a smoker.
Fabreeze has been a savior for me, but that's with furniture and I'm not so certain how it would work with diapers. I agree with the previous posters that donation may be a great option, but I also encourage you to be direct with your MIL about wanting future gifts for your little one to be packaged or washable.
That totally stinks (no pun intended).
Perhaps try tossing a few in the dryer on low w/ a dryer sheet? It is worth a shot before you toss them all out. It may not work but it is worth a shot.
I LOVE the donating idea. That thought never crossed my mind!
I'm glad I'm not alone in dealing with this smoking issue with family members. Thanks for all of the input, ladies!
I'd be honest w/ mil and tell her that the cake was super cute, etc. but unforuntately you can't use the diapers b/c they smell like smoke. don't walk on egg shells around the topic. This is your baby and maybe being more up front with her will make her realize that it is a problem.
I have only one smoker to deal with, FIL. I didn't even know he smoked when DH and I first dated b/c he never, ever, ever smokes in his own home, always outside. So, I'm lucky that their house doesn't smell and even he really doesn't smell b/c he's always "airing out" when he's outside smoking. What's sad is when my 2 y/o son sees a cigarette butt on the ground he points to it and says "Papa." When the right opportunity presents itself I will tell FIL this, maybe he'll feel bad, I don't know, but I"m not going to pretend that it isn't an issue.
Ugh! I know the feeling. My friend smokes, a lot! She was very generous at my baby shower and gave me about 6 outfits, a picture frame and 2 cute stuffed animals. Unfortunately, they reeked so bad I almost threw up when I opened them.
I washed everything 3 times just to get the smell out. One of the stuffed animals still smells of smoke so I'm probably just going to throw it out. All the clothes are fine now but wow. I don't think people who smoke realize how much everything reeks to people who don't smoke!!
Honestly, I would probably just toss them. B/c it's not like you can wash a diaper. If your mother in law asks, is it bad of me that I think you should be honest about it? I only say that b/c both of my parents smoke and I'm about to have an uncomfortable conversation with them about not smoking in their house if my baby is going to be staying there. I just feel that parents who are in the baby's life a lot need to be aware of your feelings about smoking.
My thoughts exactly. Or if you can't find a place to easily donate them, list them on craigslist for free for a needy mom. That way it's not so wasteful.
That's too bad - I think everyone has these issues in their family somewhere.. With me it's not my ILs but my Aunt and Uncle, who I LOVE but seriously, our little one will NOT be going there. No reason to have her around that smoke if they want to see her they can come visit. They know why I will not be going there, and I have been very honest about it since the start. I have not gone there since I found out I was pregnant!
I would throw them out or Donate. I'm not sure who would take them but worse comes to worse I am sure there is a homeless or womens shelter that would!
This. Since they have been opened, it might be difficult to find a place to donate to.