If you have a newborn, do you clean with bleach?

[jenrose66]

I'm sorry, I know this isn't a parenting board and I've posted a couple child questions, but I really like these boards and you guys give good advice

Anyways, I don't clean with bleach. However, I have a baby who is almost three weeks old. My sil really wanted to watch him for a while and she has 2 young kids so I assumed she was competent. Anyway, I've been kind of depressed and dh wanted me to get out of the house so he told his sister to come tonight. I really protested, but eventually agreed to leave for coffee. We were only gone about an hour and a half.

So, we get back and I smell bleach. While my baby was sleeping about 5 feet away, his sister cleaned my kitchen floor and sink and counter tops with softscrub with bleach.

I got in the house and my throat immediately got itchy and closed (I have bad allergies). Now I'm sick with worry about my baby. He looks ok, but I'm just really worried. I wouldn't think to clean with bleach with a baby in the house. Do you think he's ok. I'm debating going to sleep with him at my moms for the night (which would probably put dh over the edge...but so what). I have the windows open.

I don't know, I just knew I shouldn't have gone out. Who goes to someone's house and bleaches their kitchen? Do you think my baby will be ok...I was going to call the nurse line and my husband said I was being ridiculous. I just know I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight...

 

[Disneyrsh]

I try not to

 

[sap1227]

We clean with Bleach (10% Bleach 90% water) all of the time (and did when the boys were much smaller).
Your baby is just fine!!

 

[Nancy]

I use Softscrub with Bleach all the time even when the kids were babies, I scrubbed the tubs and sinks with it. BUT if you are incomfortable with it take the baby into a different room and open some windows to air out the kitchen. Your SIL probably thought she was helping you out (I would love it if someone would scrub my kitchen!) If it's really strong just rinse it all down with straight water a few times to see if that helps the odor, or have your husband do it since you have a sensitivity to it.

I'm sure he'll be OK, softscrub isn't as strong as regular straight bleach.

Oh and just for the record, you are not being ridiculous, you are a new first time Mom, you are supposed to be a like that! (that is what my DD's ped told me 18 years ago when my DD spit up formula out her nose and I thought she had a serious disease)

 

[Ginamarie]

I know all of my baby's clothing say not to be bleached, because I think it's too rough to be getting near baby's skin. I use bleach when cleaning the bathroom though, because the baby doesn't lay on the bathroom floor or anything. I think it's ok as long as your baby isn't coming into contact with it or breathing it in an enclosed space.

It sounds like you did the right thing though, opening the windows and letting it air out a little. I'm sure your little guy will be fine.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

While it is a chemical (what isn't a chemical?) bleach breaks down into its component parts when oxgenated -- it's water, salt, and carbon dioxide.

Baby will be fine.

 

[CherCrazy]

I try not to clean my babies with bleach, it's a little harsh.

I thought the same thing when I read the title line!


I use bleach to clean my house too. Kids are all OK....and very clean.

 

[littleEinsteins4]

We clean with Bleach (10% Bleach 90% water) all of the time (and did when the boys were much smaller).
Your baby is just fine!!

DITTO, I am a cleanaholic and do the same I clean my tubs/bathrooms with softscrub now of course I would not use straight up bleach but with the windows open Im sure he will be fine. Its second nature to worry. He will be fine.

 

[Allison]

Your baby is fine. Relax and try and get some sleep.

 

[NikiM20]

I use bleach on EVERYTHING to clean...DD hasnt had any serious reactions yet , I even poor a tiny bit into the water i use to wash dishes. Lots of germs around my house...gotta get them when you can

 

[aunt kelly]

I cleaned w/ bleach all the time when my kids were babies, and they have grown up to be healthy teens w/ no allergies.

It's so hard being a new mother. I'm sure you are doing a great job. Try to relax and enjoy your sweet newborn (that's so easy to say and so hard to do!)

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Your baby will be fine! And you are not being ridiculous! You are doing what moms do...you are worrying and being a mom. It's your job. You'll hopefully learn what to stress out over and what to let go of, but it's extra hard when you are a new mom. It's normal! And your DH's reaction was normal, too.

It's fine to get out and go for coffee with your DH and you are lucky to have family nearby to watch your baby. I'm not so sure about cleaning the kitchen floor with Softscrub, though. A little bit of that goes a long way, or so I told my teenage son when he was pouring it on the kitchen counter that he was cleaning the other day.

 

[LisaNJ25]

The baby will be fine. It has never crossed my mind not to use bleach and I have 4 kids.. 2 are under 2.

You can always send your Sil here to clean

 

[CherCrazy]

Did have one of my kids EAT the Softscrub though. He dipped his M&M's in it first. Poison Control was on my speed dial for a while with that kid!

 

[grlpwrd]

I'm a natural freak using mostly baking soda, vinegar, and alcohol to cleanse, but I use bleach when I have to and my youngest is 1yo now.

Softscrub with bleach? Please don't fret too much. Your kitchen is clean and yay, you got some "me" time!

 

[Beth76]

To be clear, she didn't wash the baby with bleach? Just the kitchen, right? I think the world will go on. It's unfortunate that you feel your SIL (with two children) is an incompetant parent. It sounds like she's a great help. Comes over for free to watch your child so you can go out AND she cleans your kitchen? Send her over here!

FWIW, I used to work in childcare (infants no less). State law required we clean certain surfaces with bleach water.

 

[RadioNate]

I know you've been having a hard time but please don't worry too much about this. Open some windows, let the baby sleep in a different room and relax.

A little soft scrub with bleach isn't going to hurt anyone. Babies are tougher than they look.

You're doing great! Get some rest.

I say this with only love and concern, please call your Dr Monday. I promise it'll help you start feeling better.

 

[lbgraves]

Your SIL was just trying to help you out. She has probably noticed how you have been feeling...or heard about it from DH who sounds like he is being an attentive & caring DH. I would let her come over more often.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I was going to say, state law REQUIRES that items in a baby room are cleaned with a bleach water mix! It's fine to clean with bleach in the presence of a baby and your SIL is not incompetant. It sounds like she was trying hard to be supportive for you and help you out.

Don't worry

 

[noahynav]

Relax!!! Your baby is absolutely fine!! I have always cleaned my home with bleach, even when my babies were newborns.

I think your sister was just trying to be helpful. She probably thought you would be so happy and so surprised to come home to a clean house. Try to see the positive in this, you have one less room to clean this week, so now you have more time to snuggle with that adorable baby of yours!