Nursery World - A parent's guide on how to stop smoking

As parents we all want the best start in life for our children, and that includes good health. But quite often without intention or awareness we can damage our children's health when we smoke around them. The problems can occur before the baby is even born if the mother smokes while she is pregnant. Smoking in pregnancy

Smoking in pregnancy

Smoking during pregnancy is an important cause of ill health for both mother and foetus. Besides increasing the mother's risk of potentially serious complications, smoking during pregnancy is the largest preventable cause of foetal and infant ill health and death.1 Smoking in pregnancy has been linked to problems such as premature birth, low birth weight, miscarriage and cot death. Stopping smoking while pregnant will make complications less likely.

Second-hand smoke

Babies and children who are exposed to a smoky atmosphere are at an increased risk of respiratory symptoms such as breathlessness, phlegm, coughing and wheezing.2 Moreover, parental smoking is an important cause of lower respiratory tract illness in infants and these children are more likely to be admitted to hospital in their first year of life. They are also more likely to develop ear conditions.

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