Huh!?

Calimama wrote: So a guy in my husband's platoon brought his 5 month old to work yesterday.. that's a BIG no-no. DH figured out that this guy brought her because he can't afford daycare until they get paid again (Wednesday night). So of course they call me and I'm now watching her starting tomorrow morning at 7. Anyway the mother dropped off the little girl's things today told me that's everything she'll need during the day and not to give her any of Bella's stuff because she's allergic to most laundry detergents, dishsoaps, etc. No biggie. Well I open her bag and everything is dirty!! I mean I opened a bottle and there is old milk caked on the side, it stinks, and the mother sent 3 toys for her (which are dirty as well). I can't wash anything because of her "allergies". I called her mom and she said, "oh hun it's fine, first time mothers always worry too much." I understand it's not my place to tell her how to raise her child, so am I supposed to give her dirty bottles tomorrow!? Or should I call her and ask her to clean this stuff before she drops off Ariana tomorrow?

HuskerMom replied: Since she's allergic to most soaps and stuff maybe you could find out what she uses and use it. That's really sad though.

gr33n3y3z replied: call her and tell her to come and get the stuff and wash it all EVERYTHING!!
that is so gross how can a person do that

Insanemomof3 replied: That is gross!!! I am NOT a first time mom and I would be furious. LOL I would call her and either ask what she uses to wash the stuff, or tell her to bring it with her. Ewww. I can't let me kids go with dirty cups (no bottles anymore lol) or toys. If I won't use dirty dishes, why should my kids? Ick. Sorry.

CantWait replied: yup, if you don't want to tell her to wash it (which I would), then I would politely ask her to bring a small jar of the soap that she does use, just in case.

hopefulmomtobe replied: If it isn't washed now, then having her pick it up and wash it probably wouldnt work. It doesnt sound like she is a very clean person, so I would call her tonight, get the detergent from the store and wash up the stuff...heck, even throw in some of your daughters stuff so the poor kid will have more to play with then just three toys.

That is truly sad, shame on that mom!

Calimama replied: Thanks for the advice! I'll call and find out what detergent she uses and wash her stuff. I feel bad for the little girl.

stella6979 replied:
Personally, I don't feel it's your responsibility to purchase the soap she uses or to wash her things. She's the Mom, let her do it.

holley79 replied: I am a first time mom and would be furious if she said this to me. Number one you are doing HER a favor. I would make her come pick up everything and tell her to clean it all. That's just NUTS! That's sweet ofyou though to help out.

Calimama replied: She said she will clean her child's stuff when SHE feels it's dirty and nothing she sent over was THAT dirty. Should I let it go and make the baby's milk in the dirty bottles? Is that even sanitary? Help!

luvmykids replied: Ew. I think for the bottle at least I'd boil it on the stove, that should do it without using soap.

I can't believe she's not more cooperative since you're doing them a BIG favor. Plus, as a mom, I'd be mortified if someone called me and asked if they could wash my kids stuff, and I'm definitely not a first time mom!

Kentuckychick replied: I'm gonna go with the boil the bottle suggestion... I mean that's how you sterilize them so I'd rinse them out first, maybe with an unused sponge or bottle brush and then boil them for 5-10 minutes... Not much you can do about dirty clothes, but the bottles...

MyLuvBugs replied: I'd rinse and scrub everything in hotwater (no soap), and tell the lady that you "had to" clean everything b/c you feared for the child's safety. That's completely gross. And if she doesn't like it, then don't watch the kid.

MoonMama replied: If you have a dish washer, I would run the bottle/s through with your dish soap then just do a few extra rinses in hot hot water. We use All Free for Braedin's clothes (and ours too) because I am allergic to just about everything so I figure better to assume he will be too. But I do agree it is NOT your responsibility, but I wouldn't be able to handle doing that to the little girl. This is just so sad a sick that poor little sweetie! Good luck.

Swood75 replied: Good grief...what in the world is wrong with that woman??? I could not imagine letting my kids drink out of a dirty bottle or wear dirty clothes (and I am NOT a 1st time mom)Tha is just plain gross!! I think Allie had a good idea about running the bottle(s) through the dishwasher once with dishsoap then a couple more times just with the hot water..And as far as detergant I would think that any of the "Free" (perfume etc) detergants would be ok for someone with allergies..Good luck dealing with that lady..

BabyOwen427 replied: Sorry she has to be like that. I'd find the mildest baby soap and rinse it once or twice extra. If she thinks caked milk is nothing I sure wouldn't want to see her house, poor baby.

redplaydoh replied: No way would I let my kids drink from a dirty bottle or wear dirty clothes, and I'm not a first time mom. Maybe her daughter didn't have an allergic reaction but reacted to the filth.
I would definately at least boil the bottles and if needed run the clothes through the washer without detergent, which would make them at least cleaner than what you've described.
Yuck!

Twelve Volt Man replied: I'm not even a Mom, and I find that disgusting. This is proof positive that some people just shouldn't breed. They always rely on good, responsible people (like you) to take care of their mess. The sad thing is, they're seldom bothered by it, and even less grateful for the help they get. Kudos to you, though, for wanting to help this child out!

amymom replied:
Exactly what I was thinking. Allergic reactions are (in a sense) over exposure to something. I bet this baby is reacting to the filth!!!

I hope today goes well for you. Cuddle that baby! From Mom's reaction I bet baby is not cuddle very often!!!

~Roo'sMama~ replied: Ick. The poor baby - I wouldn't want to feed her out of bottles with old milk stuck inside either. I'd boil them like Monica said ~ or at least just wash them really well with hot water and no soap. It's better than nothing!

DillsMommy replied: That poor baby, if that was only a couple toys and bottles, I'd hate to see what the rest of her stuff looks like. Yuck! I would also go with the boiling method. At least that will kill the germs and the mom can't accuse you of using soap. That can't be healthy. That's really nice that you care so much about the baby and that you are doing them such a huge favor.

Cece00 replied:
Honestly, at that point, I would have to tell her I find this unacceptable and to please bring everything clean tommorrow or you will not be able to watch her child. And in the meantime, I would use a REALLY MILD bleach solution to wash the toys (if they are plastic) or if they are cloth, I'd put them in the washing machine with just HOT water, and I'd boil the bottles. That is so disgusting.

cameragirl21 replied: actually, you can wash the bottles in a mixture of vinegar and baking soda, as long as you rinse them really well and can wash the laundry with vinegar also, and the toys too if they're soft toys and if they're plastic then also vinegar and baking soda.
BUT
i personally would tell the lady that if she doesn't bring you clean stuff that's clean to your satisfaction because you ARE doing her a favor in YOUR home then she can't bring the baby.
JMO of course.

lisar replied: Okay that is nasty to me. I am not a first time mother either but there aint no way I would ever give my baby dirty bottles or dirty toys. Try Ivory most kids arent allergic to that. They make dish soap so try it if she doesnt tell you. I think I would have told her to come and get the stuff that you couldnt watch her until everything was clean. Thats just wrong. Let us know what happens.