Second-Hand Smoke and Babies…
Second-Hand Smoke and Babies – if someone smokes in your home, your baby smokes too.
Would you take your baby into a room that had a sign that read …”Warning, this room contains poisonous gases and chemicals that can cause cancer and lung damage?” This is exactly what you do when you bring your baby into a room where someone is smoking or has smoked.
If someone in your household smokes – your baby smokes too.
Second-hand smoke from burning cigarettes and exhaled smoke is especially harmful to infants. It contains tobacco tars, ammonia, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde and nicotine, all dangerous chemicals.
Babies under two are especially vulnerable. They have more colds, coughs, and ear infections. They can develop allergies and asthma. Any respiratory problem is made worse. Sore throats, reduced lung function, headaches, eye irritation, hoarseness, loss of appetite, and fussiness can result.
SIDS – sudden infant death syndrome occurs at a greater rate in babies exposed regularly to second-hand smoke.
Smoking interferes with mothering. Mothers who smoke are less likely to breastfeed. If they do breastfeed, they have more problems. Smoking may suppress lactation by interfering with milk producing hormones. Mothers may have decreased attention and awareness of their baby’s needs when addiction to smoking overrules. Smoking and parenting don’t mix.
Children who grow up in a family where someone smokes have a greater chance of becoming smokers themselves.
They can be hurt in other ways. What is more exciting than lighting a match or flicking a cigarette lighter. Toddlers can reach into an ashtray and get burned. If they put a toxic filter tip in their mouth, they can get sick or choke.
Fires started by young children cause huge losses of property and life. Babies and the elderly are the most likely victims to be killed.
In custody fights, courts are not sympathetic to the parent who smokes.
Exposure to second-hand smoke is an important factor in deciding what is best for the child. Some courts consider smoking around a child, child abuse.
What to do! More public awareness and education to protect infants is necessary. Everyone needs to realize the dangers of second-hand smoke. Keep babies out of smoky areas. Even if you smoke “outside” – smoke sticks to your clothes and hair. When you cuddle or hold a baby he still inhales pollutants.
Never smoke while holding, feeding, or bathing a baby. This goes for everyone – grand-parents, relatives, significant others, and sitters.
Don’t bring a cigarette into the area where a baby sleeps. Don’t let anyone smoke in your home and don’t visit places where people smoke.
More importantly, if you smoke – Quit. Even if you tried before and failed, there are many, many new aids and programs available to help you. Millions of people have succeeded and you can too. Now that there is a baby in the house, you and anyone living there have the perfect reason to stop.
