Is It Safe for My Baby? - Tobacco

Risks During Pregnancy

The more you smoke, the greater the risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, still birth and having a low-birth weight baby.
Most of the risks to the unborn baby from smoking are due to the multiple ingredients in tobacco, rather than the nicotine itself.

Recommendations During Pregnancy

Do not use tobacco either while pregnant or after the baby is born.
When possible, avoid being exposed to second-hand smoke.
Get counselling about how to stop. If you live in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or New Brunswick, call Smokers’ Help Line at 1-877-513-5333. They will offer information, advice and support for smokers who want to quit. If you are in British Columbia, call 1-877-455-2233; in Quebec, call 1-888-853-6666. Or you can go to the Pregnets Web site (Network for the Prevention of Gestational and Neonatal Exposure to Tobacco Smoke) at www.pregnets.com.
Ask your doctor about the safety of using a nicotine patch or gum (e.g., Nicorette®, Nicoderm®, Habitrol®) and/or Zyban®.

Risks During Breastfeeding

Nicotine is a stimulant that may be transferred to the baby in breast milk. It may cause irritability.
A smoke-free environment is important to a baby's health. A baby's health can be affected by continued smoking in the home. Environmental/second-hand smoke can cause respiratory problems and ear infections in the baby. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been linked to second-hand smoke.

Recommendations During Breastfeeding

Do not smoke if you have decided to breastfeed.
Even when NOT breastfeeding, don't smoke indoors or in cars when you are with the baby.
Avoid exposing the baby to second-hand smoke.
Get counselling about how to quit. If you live in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or New Brunswick, call Smokers' Help Line at 1-877-513-5333. They will offer information, advice and support for smokers who want to quit; in British Columbia, call 1-877-455-2233; in Quebec, call 1-888-853-6666. Or you can also go to the Pregnets Web site (Network for the Prevention of Gestational and Neonatal Exposure to Tobacco Smoke) at www.pregnets.com.
Ask your doctor about the safety of using a nicotine patch or gum (e.g., Nicorette, Nicoderm, Habitrol) and/or Zyban.