Keep your baby safe from tobacco exposure by not smoking or vaping while pregnant and keeping them away from secondhand tobacco (smoke or vape). Also keep your infant away from smoke and vape in the home, car, and day care. Babies exposed to tobacco smoke – either because their moms smoked during pregnancy or because they are exposed to smoke in the home or car – are five times more likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Ask others to not smoke or vape around you.
- Ask others to remind you how well you are doing not smoking or vaping-and to remind you of the reasons you quit.
- Tell your healthcare provider about your desire to quit – there are medications and nicotine replacement products (like the patch and gum) that you may be able to use.
- Consider Calling QuitlineNC 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). QuitlineNC provides free, one-on-one tobacco cessation support over the phone. You will be paired with an experienced Quit Coach who will help you create a plan and be there to help you stick to it. QuitlineNC is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Increases the amount of oxygen the baby will get and increases the chances that the baby’s lungs will work well.
- Lowers the risk that the baby will be born too early.
- Increases the chances of having a normal-weight, healthy baby.
- Increases the chances that the baby will come home from the hospital with his or her mom.
- Click HERE to read more.
- Helps keep the baby healthy
- Reduces the number of ear infections the baby will have
- Reduces the chance that the baby will have asthma
- Helps prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Helps prevent colds and serious illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia
- If the baby was born too early, quitting smoking and staying smoke free is very important – premature babies are more susceptible to the problems listed above.
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- Gives you more energy and helps you breathe more easily
- Saves money that you can spend on other things
- Makes your clothes, hair, and home smell better
- Makes your food taste better
- Lets you feel good about what you’ve done for your family
- Increases your choices of family planning methods
- Helps prevent heart disease and cancer, the leading causes of death in women
- Helps prevent colds and serious illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia
- Click HERE to read more about keeping your baby safe from second hand smoke.
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), commonly known as “e-cigarettes,” often look like regular USB flash drives or pens, but some resemble cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. These products contain nicotine and other harmful substances. These products aren’t safe for the person who uses them or for those who breath the “vape” or aerosol that comes, especially a baby. Click HERE to read more.
Click HERE to learn more about these products, including how to get help to quit.
Avoiding or quitting all tobacco products is important for protecting the health of both you and your baby.
