So, this has been LO's first week at daycare. Every day that I've picked her up, she's smelled of old-lady-super-floral perfume. Blegh! I'm pretty sensitive to smells, but even DH thinks it's really strong.
I've been changing her clothes as soon as I get home from work, but the only that that will get the smell to go away is a bath.
Should I say something to the director? What's the best way to approach it without sounding like a total jerk?
grapefruit / 4400 posts
I don't think there's any way to say it without sounding like a jerk, IMO. I think it would make you look like the overbearing new mom if you were to ask the director to make sure everyone wore a less offensive smelling/amount of perfume.
At least it lets you know that LO is being held and cared for? LOL... the bright side?
GOLD / eggplant / 11517 posts
Ugh that sucks I'm sorry! I'd feel weird saying something also...not sure how much it would have to bug me to speak up.
persimmon / 1408 posts
@habesbabe @highwire - I know, it's a fine line. I'm super chill about everything else but the fact that she still smells like perfume at 10 pm is crazy to me.
And you're right, it is nice that they are loving on her 
I'm just surprised that they would allow perfume with allergies and skin sensitivities that are so prevalent in babies/kids.
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
My LO smells like that after daycare too. I can't smell any perfume on her teachers so I'm not sure what it is. She is switching rooms soon so I haven't mentioned it.
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
Our lo smelled like perfume her first couple of months at daycare. Last week, I was chatting with the director and she was telling me a story about how one mom knew her lo was well taken care of there b/c she always smelled like the director's perfume. That hit the nail on the head for me - when she came home smelling like perfume, it was because she was being loved on by the director!
I was annoyed about the perfume at first and always bathed her when she smelled like it. Then I realized, if she smells like perfume, it means she is being held a lot. I am okay with that! I never ever would have complained about it after realizing what that meant.
GOLD / squash / 13576 posts
I don't think there is any real way to say it. I'm learning with daycare it's best to pick and choose your battles. I'd pass on this one unless your LO has an allergic reaction or rash related to it.
grape / 80 posts
this bothered me at first too. BUT like PPs, I decided to be happy for proof that someone is snuggling my baby at daycare
squash / 13199 posts
Sometimes my LO smells like other people's perfume not just from daycare, but I've noticed that she picks up these smells very easily. we will spend a few short hours at church and one or two people will hold her briefly and when I get home I realize she smell like perfume
I agree that there is not way to say anything about it without offending someone
pomelo / 5331 posts
I can't believe how many people say this is an issue! Why would you wear perfume as a day care worker? It just boggles my mind... I had no idea that child care workers didn't realize that duh, maybe that's not a good idea.
I hope we don't have to deal with this, because I don't know what I would do either! I have really bad allergies to stuff like that so it would make my whole face itch inside and out if DS smelled like strong perfume.
honeydew / 7488 posts
@ladyfingers: I agree with you, it would bother me a lot, and I would say something to express my concern (just my opinion).
My day care has a no perfume policy. Kids skin is very sensitive, and my DD has bad eczema, so this would not have been ok for her. The only thing the kids ever smell like coming home is soap, and that's ok by me. If you wanted to say something, you could ask if there is a perfume policy at the school, and explain that you are concerned about babies' sensitive skin? This could at least start a dialogue with the director.
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
I have horrible migraines so I say it even if it's rude because perfumes set them off like nothing else. I just say that I need fragrance free folks taking care of my girls in order to avoid health complications for me. At first I was all nervous about saying it, but it really did impact my health and well being and my ability to care for the girls... So now I don't apologize and just speak up!
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
I agree with the PPs - i get splitting headaches most scents, MIL held her for 5 min the other night and I had to bathe and change her after she left! If I had to encounter that daily I'd probably nicely mention something about even "oh, I noticed LO had a slight rash or irritation, she could get that from me. We both seem to be sensitive to fragrances, etc" or something?
pomegranate / 3053 posts
I would just speak up and tell them that you and your husband are both sensitive to the strong perfume smells and to see if her care takers can not use perfume at work. But if it's facial cream or whatever that's hard... I've smelled some pretty horrible facial cream before. :\
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6703 posts
This is hard. Maybe make it more about you or DH? Say that you are sensitive to the smells that baby is bringing home?
grapefruit / 4400 posts
@Mrs. Jacks: I think in your case (really bad migraines), it's more than acceptable to speak up. But if you just don't like it, or something like that, then I think it's a battle that's not worth fighting.
Or, if you dislike it, then just say that instead of exaggerating/lying and using migraines as an excuse. It's like when people dislike a type of food and lie about being allergic.
persimmon / 1408 posts
Well now it seems that it's a split on whether to say something. It does give me headaches, as any strong levels do. I like the idea of asking what the perfume policy is.
I agree that it should be a no brainer that daycare workers, or really anyone in caregiving positions (nurses, doctors, etc) should be sensitive to this.
coconut / 8234 posts
We had this issue with our short-term nanny and I never said anything. I'm sensitive to fragrance and chemical smells and would have to change LO and sometimes wipe her neck with a baby wipe to get the smell off. I never said anything because I felt bad about asking her not to wear perfume (and it was a short-term thing). If it was more long-term I would say something because I know how the sensitivity can cause allergy like symptoms and headaches.
bananas / 9357 posts
That's a toughie. I honestly don't know what I would do. As a side note, I didn't pick a pediatrician because of her strong perfume! It gives me headaches too.
hostess / papaya / 10540 posts
I would mention something to the director, in a field like that I believe the employees should be sensitive to the fact that babies have sensitive skin and shouldn't be wearing such strong smells. Maybe I'm overly sensitive because things like that did give LO rashes. I would just say, that you appreciate how much love your LO was getting, but that you would appreciate if they wouldn't expose your baby to such strong scents because of your concern for skin allergies.
honeydew / 7687 posts
@CarrieLouWho: I'm sensitive to smells too and that would drive me nuts. I'd prob fib and say it was a health concern for your baby. I'd definitely bring it up though
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