What happens to babies when they are exposed to cigarette smoke?

Babies and children who are exposed to cigarette smoke have a much higher incidence of pneumonia, asthma, ear infections, bronchitis, sinus infections, eye irritation, and croup.

Colic occurs more often in babies whose mothers or fathers smoke or if a breastfeeding mother smokes. Researchers believe that not only does the nicotine transferred into mother's milk upset baby but the passive smoke in the home acts as an irritant. Babies of smoking parents fuss more, and mothers who smoke may be less able to cope with a colicky baby (due to lower levels of prolactin).

Heavy smoking by breastfeeding moms occasionally causes symptoms in the breastfeeding baby such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

Babies of smoking mothers and fathers have a seven times greater chance of dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Children of smoking parents have two to three times more visits to the doctor, usually from respiratory infections or allergy-related illnesses.

Children who are exposed to passive smoke in the home have lower blood levels of HDL, the good cholesterol that helps protect against coronary artery disease.

Children of smoking parents are more likely to become smokers themselves.

A recent study found that growing up in a home in which two parents smoked could double the child's risk of lung cancer later in life.

Welcome to the group Rebecca, and congrats on making the decision to quit smoking. There are a bunch of us here, just like you, with multiple quits under our belt. That's what it takes sometimes to come to your final quit. We have Pledge & Roll call every morning if you would like to participate. With the pledge you promise not to smoke for the day and with the roll call you tell how many days you have been quit. Kind of holds you accountable & lets everyone know how you are doing too. I used to smoke with people at work. I would plan in advance what I was going to do instead of smoking or going on smoke breaks or any stressful situation that may make me want to smoke.
And practice the 5 D's when the urge hits.
Drink lots of water
Deep breathing
Delay
Distract &
DS, come here & vent.
Hope the see you at our daily pledge soon :)

littlemac -thank you so much for all the advice. I would love to participate in the roll call and pledge. That sounds great. And it is nice to know as well that I am not the only one that fell down before getting back up.

grannie- while I think you were trying to give me reasons to quit I already came to that decision on my own. I am already doing it for my kids and myself and I saw this a little as a lecture. And not a very nice one. I do not and have NEVER smoked around my kids OR in my home. Also my hubby does not smoke so there are not 2 parents smoking. As well neither of my children have any health issues to date and I do not have a colicky child (she is one of the happiest babies I have ever seen!). So while I thank you for your reasoning on WHY to quit, I also think that before commenting on something like 'smoking in the home with children' you should know that facts a little more on the person you are commenting on. Not meaning offence by this comment, just felt a little attacked and didn't want the whole world to think that I am a terrible parent as your post implies. In fact I think that I am a great parent just for the fact that I am here wanting to quit. Thanks

In Cyberspace we dont know any facts about people we comment to, unless of course we have been corresponding with each other for some time. Sorry you took offense to that post, I thought it was good information, I am sorry I didnt take in the fact that you already knew all that information.

I dont think anyone thinks youre a terrible parent no one knows you here. By the way this is on the Internet: http://kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/smoking.html

I completely understand what you are going through... The best advice I can give you is to time the cravings. On day one I think they lasted less than 5 minutes... by the end of week one they lasted less than 1 minute. It is easier to deal with the craving if you know it will be over in X amount of time. I think looking at a clock distracts the mind as well. Anytime you have a craving, force yourself to think of something else. Do not allow your mind to glamorize what smoking is not... by that I mean remember how horrible it is, ... don't let your mind trick you into thinking it is great. Good luck and welcome to the group. There are allot of us here that understand what you are going through and won't lecture you. :)

PS-your baby is adorable!

The best advise that I can give you is reading the book called The Easy Way To Stop Smoking by Allan Car. I helped my very much with this terrible addiction !!

Thank you so much vnurse for your kind words. Timing them is a great idea. I will try it for sure. 1 day almost down ....a lifetime to go haha. And thanks...the pic is my daughters first xmas....she is turning 3 tomorrow!! Time flies. My baby is now 19 months....wowee

*first real xmas that she could enjoy that is haha...this was right after she turned 2*

Hi Becrox and welcome to the 'family' of quitters. You have made a great decision in choosing to quit. Planning ahead is very important to a quit. Decide now how you will handle difficult emotions that are triggers to lighting up. Make 2 lists, one with all the reasons that you smoke. What are your triggers?? Then make another list of all the reasons TO quit..#1 being your precious babies ..see which is longer. Read all you can from old discussions and joing the Good Posts Group. There is a wealth of information and knowledge is power.

Please do not be harsh to Grannie. She may come across as a little rough understand she is looking at the world thru her O2 tank, she doesn't want that to happen to anyone else. Her words were from an article on quitting not her own. She was NOT accusing you of anything, just reposting something that went around before.

Rebeca, welcome to the group, you will fine very nice and supportive help here. Grannie, is one of the sweetest ladies on DS and you will find her to be so caring and loving. Don't be quick to judge her as she has everyones best interest at heart. I have been here for over two years and she is just so wonderful. Good luck with your quit, we have all been there and know how hard it is to stop.

Welcome to the group Rebecca. I have quit smoking several times in the last 15 years - even went a full year once - I am the poster person for never quit quiting. I hope so much this will be my last quit. One thing I have noticed is that I learned from each quit. A big thing I learned for me is that one cig leads eventually to being a smoker again.

My husband quit several years ago - ONE TIME - cold turkey - never went back to them and complains about how I struggle. I am proud of him for quitting but sometimes I just want to slap him. LOL

Distraction is a good one. Do something else. Take slow deep breaths in and out until the urge is over.