Babble

OK - I could use some help. My Dad watches my 6 month old daughter 4 days/week - we are so lucky for this. But he smokes cigars, and while I don't think he would smoke around her, the room he smokes in is also where he hangs out with her a lot of the day. When I pick her up I can smell it in there, so it's pretty frequent - maybe while she's napping? It isn't exactly second-hand smoke, but I'm really worried about how bad it could be for her. She's already gotten 2 colds in the 2 months he's been watching her; and none before. Can't help but wonder about a connection. What do I do? He gets defensive and I really don't want to screw up our arrangement.  Does anyone know if the residue smell is second-hand smoke?  Could it be harmful?  Many thanks.

the smell of second hand smoke is extreemly harmfull and can cause your child to get sick. i have had the same problem with my in laws and had to say to them that if they do not smoke outside then they can not have my son in thier care. this may sound harsh but its your childs health that you have to consider. speak to your dad and hopefully he will respect your wishes and not smoke around the baby

 goodluck!!!!

The 'smell' of a cigar is not harmful. It's only the active smoke eminating from a lit cigar that MAY be harmful - in prolonged doses. The remnants of an old cigar may be unpleasant to smell, but like a fart, it's not going to hurt anyone. Think of all the 'smells' your child is exposed to every day, including carbon monoxide from the car you drive, pollution, barbecue smoke... Your dad's cigar, once in a while, even if he is smoking it when the child is around (yeah I know I'll get flak for saying this), is not going to do any more harm that any of the other zillion things us humans are exposed to. We live on earth, not a sterile bubble, and life sometimes smells! Now if dad is shutting all the doors and windows tight, smoking 6 stogies in a row, and blowing it in your kids face... yeah, I'd say you have a right to ask him to stop. But if he's not smoking in the room with the baby while he's taking care of your child for you (no small task for a grandpa) and you repay him by saying his house doesnt smell April fresh... I'm not surprised he would be upset.