When you smoke a cigarette and release the smoke into the air, it is known as environmental tobacco smoke or passive smoke, notes the American Cancer Society. Cigarette smoke contains chemicals and carcinogens that can be harmful to human health, especially a baby. Because a baby is still growing and developing, even outside of the womb, exposure to cigarette smoke has harmful side effects.
Prenatal
If you are pregnant, your gynecologist will likely recommend you stop smoking. Smoking while you are pregnant can affect your unborn child and leave him with challenges once he is born. As you smoke, carcinogens enter your body and can be passed onto your baby. One of the most significant problems is premature delivery. Babycenter.com explains that a buildup of carbon monoxide and nicotine reduce the oxygen flow to your unborn baby. As nicotine enters your bloodstream, it can constrict direct blood flow to your baby and reduce his development in the womb. Because of the shortage of oxygen to the fetus, the result could be low birth weight, birth defects, being born with a low immunity or stillbirth.
Growth and Development
Your baby's growth and development can be adversely affected by cigarette smoking. The American Academy of Otolaryngology notes that 50 to 67 percent of children age 5 and under are exposed to smoking at home. Your baby's developing brain is affected if you smoke around her. Secondhand smoke can damage your baby's organs and restrict function; this increases her risk for hyperactivity and behavioral problems, and may affect intellectual achievement at school. If you smoke while you breastfeed, you may produce less milk, causing further challenges in her early development.
Breathing Problems
If you smoked while pregnant and you still smoke, it is likely your baby's lungs are being affected. Cigarette smoke affects your baby by decreasing lung efficiency, which can lead to serious problems such as asthma and upper respiratory infections throughout childhood. If he has an underlying respiratory problem such as sinusitis or postnasal drip, smoking can make these conditions worse. Exposure to secondhand smoke, especially long term, can increase his risk of bronchitis, pneumonia, colds, sore throats and other respiratory problems.
Ears
A baby's ears continue to develop when he is born. Being exposed to cigarette smoke can damage or cause problems with the function of his ears as well as development. One of the biggest risks is ear infection. An ear infection can occur when cigarette smoke reaches the eustachian tube. Inflammation and pressure caused from fluid buildup cause pain; and if left untreated, can lead to hearing impairment or hearing loss. In some cases, tubes may have to be inserted to increase passageways and prevent fluid buildup.
References
- American Cancer Society: Secondhand Smoke
- U.S Food and Drug Administration: Tobacco Products
- Baby Center; How Smoking During Pregnancy Affects You and Your Baby; Chris Woolston; April 2011
- American Academy of Otolaryngology --- Head and Neck Surgery: Second Hand Smoke and Children
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ear infections - Causes
