You may think you've heard it all before, because every smoking commercial
says the same thing over and over. The message is always the same.
Cigarettes are bad, you can get cancer, and you could die of other health
problems. You know cigarettes are awful for your health, but quitting may
feel impossible. Now that you have a premature baby, this could be the
best reason for you to kick the habit. You may not think about what
happens to your child when they breathe in your smoke, but you're slowly
taking away their chances of growing up healthy. Smoking around infants,
especially NICU infants or premature infants, has serious consequences.
Your baby could die from the same smoke coming from your mouth. In
cigarette smoke alone, there are over 7000 different chemicals that can
hurt your baby. When you smoke, so does your baby. Harmful chemicals such
as nicotine, lead arsenic, and carbon monoxide travel through your blood
and also your baby's blood. Your baby is indirectly smoking because you
needed to have that cigarette. Chemicals eventually reach important organs
such as the lungs and the brain that can harm a newborn's breathing and
heart function. Preterm babies are at more risk because they are smaller
and have weaker immune systems with lower resistance to bacteria and
viruses. Your baby's lungs will not be fully grown until 7 or 8 years of
age. Exposure to tobacco smoke can limit the growth of the lung. The
breathing passages will also not develop normally, putting your child at
risk of breathing problems such as asthma and pneumonia. Babies exposed to
smoke also have more ear infections, colds, and cough. These changes can
last a lifetime.
Sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS, happens more frequently in children
exposed to smoke. Recent studies have shown that thirdhand smoke is a new
kind of smoke exposure that parents need to be aware of. This kind happens
when the toxins and smoke get trapped in your hair and clothes, when you
hold your infant. Breathe in the same chemicals and damage their bodies.
Thirdhand smoke also stays in services such as carpets, curtains, and
furniture. When babies crawl on carpet that has been exposed to smoke,
they breathe in more of these chemicals. The high toxic levels are
extremely harmful to a baby's developing brain and body. Also, babies and
young children are more likely to put things in their mouth, especially
when teething, which can also increase the amount of toxins in their
bodies. As your child grows, smoke exposure can have long lasting effects
on their growth and development. Children exposed to smoke can have lower
test scores, delays, and milestones like walking, talking, and potty
training, as well as decreased brain function. Each year, over 1000 babies
will die in the United States from exposure to smoke from tobacco products.
It's not too late for your baby. As a parent, you want to provide the
best possible environment for your baby to thrive in. A smoke-free start
gives your child the best chance to grow into a healthy life. The problems
discussed in the video related to smoke exposure can be stopped, and it's
all up to you. All it takes is a promise to try and quit. The cost of your
baby living in a smoke-free environment is priceless. Is the risk of your
child developing asthma, ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome,
heart problems, less brain development, lower test scores, decreased
growth and development, lung infections, more cough and colds really worth
the extra cigarette. There's support available that can help you quit. We
are here to help you. The road will not be easy, but there are resources
at Altman for you and your new baby. Smoking cessation support groups
through Altman and monthly meetings with other NICU families can help you
deal with the stress of quitting. Please ask us and we will be able to
help you begin the process. If you won't put down a cigarette to save your
own life, then help to save the life of your baby.