I am a non smoking mother of two children and am the daughter of a man who passed away from full body cancer caused by smoking it literally ate his entire body, sadly doctors didnt find the cancer until 2 days before he died!  he died when I was 14 it was incredibly tramatic. growing up my father smoked around us kids and in our home and my brother and I both developed asthma at a young age because of the exposure to the second hand smoke. I get that you say you are too stressed to quit but honestly wouldn't you like to see your grandchildren grow up? smoking is not worth missing out on these presious moments. I know lots of people on here are trying to say second hand smoke is ok but take a look at the studies done, second hand smoke is more fatal than first hand smoke. So when you light up a cigarette around other people not only are you hurting yourself but you are hurting others.

The part about holding babies after smoking, yes its harmful to a childs heath the chemicals and the tar from your cigarettes stay on your hands, and clothing therefore when you hold the baby the baby breathes in all those chemicals so in the long run you might be the cause of future health problems for this child. People on here say oh I smoked around my kids and they are fine, honestly you're stupid for putting your childs health in danger because of your own selfishiness. Its about as dumb as woman who smoke or drink or do drugs while pregnant thinking it isent going straight to that baby. The health problems might not show up quick but they are there.

If your life isent worht quiting smoking then you should bring a change of clothing when you go see the baby and maybe take a shower before going and dont smoke on the way. So in the long run of this long message your daughter and her husband are right to have concerns about this because as the parents of the baby it is their job to protect her health and wellbeing. I hope that you can one day quit because I hate to think of babies growing up without their grandparents or kids without their parents, My dad never met his grand kids and that kills me.

I have been around some smokers where I can absolutely smell cigarette on them, no matter how they've deodorized themselves. In fact, while I was in the hospital 3 weeks ago when I gave birth to my twins, I could instantly tell that one of my nurses was a smoker.

Also, some babies would be more affected than others by the smell of smoke- this would include babies that are premature, prone to asthma or those with any lung problems.

A lot of parents here on Minti agree that as parents, we know our own children more than others and that we should trust our own instincts when it comes to parenting. I think in this case, it is best to let your daughter and her husband have their say as far as their child's health. THey are just concerned...they can't be wronged for that.

Good luck!

You poor thing! I have 10 children and smoked with and around all of them. My daughter whom does not smoke luckily had no prioblems with bringing my grand daughter to my place knowing that i smoked in the house! I did the good thing and smoked away from her if not outside! I would normally not do thisd for anyone else biut sinnce my grand daughter is not normally around too much smoke thought i would do it my way! I have a friend whom tells her mother that she cannot hold her daughter as she smokes and that it will cause her daughter breathing problems! This is utter rubbish to me! Try to as another member said take/have a jacket that you can put on while visiting or holiding youyr granchild this will help put you at ease and also your daughter! If she still does not like the idea then that is  going to be her problem! I have found that if you try to keep children away from things such as cigarette smoke etc... then those children end up getting more illnesses than the norm! I have seen this happen  first hand with my friends daughter! Hope this helps as i am a believer we should not change our way of life or what we do in it just to satisfy any one else!! My children have no breathing problems etc... at all

I have always been like this with my kids. I don't like people that smoke holding my children after they have had a cigarette, I always make sure they wait a little while, wash their hands & if possible change their top. I know it sounds over-protective but I know the smell gets to me so it must get to the kids! I used to smoke myself but was lucky & could give up easily - haven't had one for 8 1/2 years.

I am a smoker, I was a Nanny and am now a mother.  I have never smoked around any of the children in my care or my own, however I'm sure my hair clothes etc. must have held some residual smell and none of my kids were ever effected (all from non smoking households) none of the parents ever mentioned it to me either, and several of them were organic food eating Doctors, and they had no problem with me looking after their kids after I'd had a fag in between jobs.  My daughter has NO breathing problems at all, and is barely ever ill with anything having a very strong immune system.  Sounds to me like they're being overly cautious first timers....You need to be the practical voice of reason and remind them that if they're worried about her catching things from smells, then perhaps they should become Armish and not drive a car, with exhaust fumes, not use colone or purmue or hair spray or deoderant or use laundry soap with fragrance (even if they wash her stuff in nappy San of Lux, her cheeks and hands do touch clothing washed in god for bid OMO from time to time).........they're not being rational, practical or realistic and you need to in YOUR way let them know.....keep it up and she'll have such a crap immune system she'll turn into a buble girl if they worry about every little thing. 

They need to join some first time parenting groups or play group and start hanging out with more relaxed parents in order to learn how to be more relaxed them selves.....thats my opinion anyway.  Good Luck to you, you've nothing to be worried about

my step mother smokes but won't smoke near my son and my husband used to smoke and same deal no smoking near baby, he hasn't had any breathing problems, if you are really concerned put a jacket over your outer clothes and zip it up then have your smoke then take it off and wash your hands and wipe your face with a baby wipe. thats what my hubby and step mum did so the smell isn't on your clothes or you can put on a clean jumper? hope fully i have helped some

Well, if you are making a concerted effort to ensure that you are wearing freshly laundered clothes, and haven't smoked since you last showered - I think that is very good of you.  I guess they would really want you to give up, as they probably want you around for a long, long time to come.  In the meantime, spending time with your grand daughter will help you to cut down, because you are doing the right thing!  Keep trying, and keep reassuring them that you are doing your best to ensure that you are part of the smoke free environment for bubs, and not carrying about residue chemicals... Best of luck!

As you been a grandma you would have been smoking for many years and its hard to quite i know as im a smoker. My clothes never smell like smoke lol but true i have a smoking jacket as i smoke outside. If its not  the smoke its the pollution, whats next???? We can carry on and on about it but the thing there is wash your hands put clean top on and dont smoke until you leave if thats your concern and parents concern. We do thing for people we love and this is one of those cases to respect you daughters wishes. I dont think this will do much harm to the baby but im not sure maybe ask a health nurse or doctor. There are alot of smokers out there with babies children ect and they are ok, and adults that have been brought up in a smoke enviroment that are ok. Not saying its healthy but its not the end of the world, unless you were smoking in the same room as the baby. Then i would chuck you out. I dont know about you but i really hate the smell of smoke and i go around and smell everything iv got lol. Im a smoker but hate the smell.  Tee

HI,I too am a smoker ,I really dont think that the smoke form your clothes can effect a new born baby,as long as you have washed your hands like you said you do.I imagine you have been a smoker for quite some years,and to quit would not be as easy as some have suggested.I know that some nurses work in the maturnity ward and if it was to effect a new born they would not be able to have a smoke while on their break and then go back to work until they have had a shower and changed their clothes and brushed their teeth.Maybe you could make a few inquiries to a DR and ask them or as some have suggested wait the 1/2 an hr  out in  the fresh air before you see the baby.Good luck.

                                                      Cham

i am sorry if i offend here but
DONT USE STRESS AS A REASON TO SMOKE! believe me, i too know what its like to stress etc etc and i was a smoker - until i found out i was pregnant!
I had several stresses like a very bad partner who beat me around a bit  and constantly took drugs - screwed around on me you name it it happened!
I was also finding it hard to deal with the fact that i was gonna be a mum at 17!
Yet, with as much stress as i had- i managed to go cold turkey and never turn back!
I also have seen my father DIE from cancer cos he was a smoker - i watched him go through months of pain and it was not nice!
Would you like that for your granddaughter? to see her go through that pain?
IF not then quit! its not that hard if you have the will power to do it!

You've had a very good first answer.  My cousin was a smoker, but never indoors, never in the car, and never when the kids were around.  She would wash her hands and everything but didn't wait half an hour after having a smoke.  I didn't know that one.  It's good to know, but not always possible.  Can you maybe time your visits so you have a smoke at home, get changed, wash your hands then drive over there? Maybe the change of clothes as well as the wind from driving will get the smell off then have another one after leaving.  Depending on the lengths of the stays of course.  Just an idea hope it helps.

im a smoker too and these were simialr concerns i had smoke outside let the fresh air take the nasty away never hold the baby without washing your hands i had mints too and a freind of ours who had also had a child reccently said the health visitor recomend you dont hold the child for at least half an hour after as your still breathing out the chemicals.

As the child gets older especially teething age they bite everything, so smoking in the house means nicotine etc is coating all furniture, we all know it would be better to quit but thats easier said than done the laws have banned it in the uk now im so mad it takes affect from 1st july arrrrrrr my bday 2nd no knee's up 4 me then....lol, its frezzin and will prob rain.

hope this helps you manage your smoking a little safer mwah...jo xxx