Safety of Finish on Bassinet

Infants are so susceptible to everything that I would be afraid of the long term effects from the chemicals. If you look on the label they have very strict guide lines in CA so a lot of the time they are banned there. Trust your instincts it's always better to be safe then to worry what if.

Kim

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter

Hi,
Due to the age of your daughter I would definitely ask her Doctor. An older child may be fine but a 4-week old's lungs are too delicate and if you can smell it she definitely can. The good thing is that she will probably not be in the bassinett long; hopefully you will move her into a crib in another month or so.

Oh boy...that doesn't sound good at all. The fumes can't be good for her growing brain, lungs, etc.

I'm not for sure though.

Ask the doc...

I'd call your pediatrician's office, sooner than later. I'm sure it's fine but that's the most reliable place to get this info.
A.

i am sure it is fine...but for me personally...if there was an odor of some sort (especially chemical one)...i wouldnt use it especially while she is a newborn...you never know how the chemical could affect them . although it may be a faint smell to you..i would assume it would be a lot stronger to her...and assume she sleeps in it for hours at a time.... sorry to sound negative but you cant be too careful! especially with a newborn!
actually the more i think about it...if you have to ask...and question something like that...remove infant immediately...

I have to be honest, I would immediately remove my daughter from the bassinet, until you get a DEFINITIVE answer about the existing hazards of the fumes or not. Would you want to sleep in a bed in which you could smell polyurethane all night long? Your baby can't tell you she is smelling it and breathing it in but you can be sure she is.
Read the warnings on a polyurethane container, there has got to be some kind of initial warning to stay away from the fumes for a period of time before it dries. What's behind those warnings?
Some time ago my parents gave me a set of painted hardwood blocks that my Dad used to play with when he was a child. I was really touched and loved watching my son play with them. Then a little voice in the back of my head said, wait a minute, paint from 75 years ago, it's got to be lead based! It is said even lead paint dust can somehow harm a child's neurological development. I'm not looking forward to telling my parents he can't play with them any longer, but HEH! what's more important my babies neurological development or my parents feeling a little hurt, they'll get over it!
It's the thought that counts and obviously your Dad put a great deal of love into constructing the bassinet, let him know that you know that.
Your instincts are talking, listen to them.
In your babies best interests,
N.

Hi N.,
(Just thought I'd share my knowledge since am a childrenswear designer.) PU is sometimes used for children's rainslickers and jackets. It is not harmful and passes all rigorous testing requirements. It sometimes smells even on fabrics...but eventually SHOULD go away. BUT I have never seen or smelled an actual spray like the one he used for your basinet. So my thought is that if it is indeed just PU...it s/b ok. Just make sure it does not contain lead or other substances that COULD harm your baby.
Hope this helps!

I myself would definantly get her out of there. Especially if you still smell the fumes. I'm refinishing a house, and occasionally have used polyurethane for some projects and I won't even let my son in the same room when I'm using it. The chemicals cannot be good for a child to breathe in, especially at 4 weeks of age. Her brain and other organs are still developing, and it's not even good for adults to inhale. And your daughter at that age, prob spends alot of time in there. I definantly think you need to find something else for her to sleep in.