Smelly Baby

M.,
My background in interior decorating has taught me many things. People no matter who they are, are unable to smell their own body odor or household odor. We become immune to our own odors, and that of our family members, when that odor is a daily odor. So, it is very possible that the parents of this child are unable to smell what other people may find repulsive.

There are several possibilities here. Due to the economy it could be that this couple is having trouble. Maybe they are having trouble with their water bill, or having trouble purchasing the proper cleaning agents. That would mean doing less laundry and taking fewer baths.

It may be that this couple is unaware of how important cleanliness is to a baby. It may be that the father is responsible for bathing and that he is slacking off, since the mother seems to be clean. There is also one other thing that could be going on. I have known couples that seem to be operating like most couples to those on the outside. But on a closer look you may find that the mother lacks the motivation to care for the child, although she cares for herself. I have known more than one couple that fell into this category. I have seen in each case, the father step up to the plate and begin to care for the child in the home. They feed, change and care for the baby more than the mother, becoming the primary care taker. However if the father is willing, but does not grasp the entire concept, you end up with this kind of situation.

I am not sure telling any parent that their child smells, is the best way to handle this. There are ways around it though. You could explain that you have a sensitivity to smells, and odors. Many people have varying degrees. Explain that you are not sure if it is the detergent, or the soap, but that you are having trouble with it. This puts the blame on an item of unkown origin, and your sensitivity, not on their parenting skills.

I would ask if you could keep some clothes at your house that you can launder, with a detergent that you know you are not sensitive to. I would not tell them that you are going to bathe her on a regular basis, this would relieve them of their duties to do so. I would however let them know that on occasion if one of the children becomes sweaty, or seems fussy, you may bathe them. This allows the babt to feel more comfortable and sleep better when napping.

I hope this helps some.

I would just ask the parents if they would mind to bring her some extra clothes and if they would mind if you gave her a bath of the mornings. If they ask why just say you've noticed a musky smell on her and that she might sweat at night so you would love to help them out in the mornings by giving her a bath after breakfast.

I'd have to also recommend the bath and laundering her things...although that is a lot of extra work. Ask them to bring some clean clothes and you can just say it's in case she gets messy since she's eating more baby food. Hopefully it will improve once Mom returns home?
As for the "stuff" you can't easily throw in the laundry...they have a type of Febreeze for pet odors and smoke and whatnot...you could try spraying that on things like the diaper bag or even a blanket if you make sure it's dry before you put it by the baby.
You can mention one day that you gave the baby a bath because of an "odd smell" and if you notice "crease cheese" as I used to call it, I think it would be ok to mention a "tip" on how best to clean it, and say it happens to the "best of em".
Hang in there! I'm very sensitive to smells, so I know where you're coming from.

M.,
This is such a touchy subject. Earlier this year I had a baby in care with a young mom that was very hard to talk to and she caused a lot of problems. I was constantly having to inform her that her child was ill, needed a doctor, that she needed to call when not coming and a whole lot of other things. So I didn't think I could tell her that her, the child, and the child's carseat and blankets all smelled! I can't even say how they smelled. I think it was a type of incense maybe she burned all the time or some other perfume or maybe even a terrible laundry soap I've never smelled before. So what I did was wash everything. I laundered the babies clothes, blankets and washed him down. I did this everyday until she finally left. I think she got tired of me telling her she couldn't bring him with 103 degree fever and crud seeping from his eyes!

I wish I could tell you how to talk to them but most people would be upset. I'd sure be upset if someone said I stank! It would be embarrassing if true and humiliating no matter what.

Suzi

I would ask for extra clothes and wash what she has take her a bath and then put the clean clothes on her.Heck the parents may not even get upset about it they'll have a fresh baby and no need for an evening bath later.

Give her a bath? What could that hurt? I realize shes not yours but if shes in your care all day and its bothering you why not?