Infantile crying usually goes away as the baby ages but could “pose a burden on the affected families and may even trigger violent behavior toward the child,” the authors note.
The safest thing a woman can do is quit smoking before she plans on getting pregnant. She should also begin taking a prenatal vitamin that has folic acid before she starts a family.
According to the American Lung Association: “It is estimated that between 20 percent and 30 percent of low birth weight babies are born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy. Nearly 14 percent of premature deliveries and 10 percent of infant deaths are also attributed to smoking mothers. Additionally, apparently healthy, full-term babies of smokers have been found to be born with narrowed airways and reduced lung function.”
Tips for Quitting Smoking
If a woman finds out she is pregnant and she has already been smoking, there are safe methods for her to quit smoking. The Mayo Clinic recommends the safest way to quit is without the use of stop-smoking aids. Here are a few of their tips.
- List the reasons you want to quit, such as protecting your baby’s health.
- Get rid of any smoking materials “” in the house, at work, in your bags and in the car.
- Avoid situations that make you want to smoke.
- Spend time with people who don’t smoke, and visit places where smoking isn’t allowed.
- Wait out cravings by running an errand or eating a healthy snack.
- With your care provider’s OK, use physical activity to manage withdrawal symptoms.
- Make sure you have someone you can talk to when you need support.
- Consider setting a goal and creating a reward for meeting it.
Quitting smoking can help give your baby a healthy start. If you are smoking while pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, there is no time to stop like the present. If you need further help, it might be a good idea to talk to a physician and voice your concerns. Your baby will thank you.