Tobacco affects everyone differently.  One baby might be harmed by the mother’s smoking, yet another may not.  Smoking can harm the baby in different ways at different times during the pregnancy.

Smoking can cause a mother to lose her baby, or give birth too early before the baby’s body and organs are ready.  It can also cause birth defects or low birth weight.  Small babies have more health problems and are at risk for dying suddenly due to crib death.  Smoking during pregnancy can cause a baby to get more colds, ear infections, and lung diseases.

The best way to make sure your baby isn’t harmed is to stop smoking.  It is never too late during a pregnancy to stop smoking.  The sooner you stop, the safer your baby will be.  To stop smoking, you must first want to quit.  There are many quitting options, but all quitting takes work.  Some ideas to get you started include deciding when you want to quit, asking for help, making a quit plan, getting support, and rewarding yourself.

It is important to list the reasons why you want to quit.  Create your list and put it where you can see it often.  Your doctor can help you find ways to quit such as nicotine replacement therapy.  Making a plan to quit will help you face the challenge of quitting, and will provide you with options to quit smoking.  Getting support from your family, friends and coworkers will increase your chances of success also.

                                                                                                                                        -Lisa Phillips

                                                                                                                    Milwaukee Health Dept.