How to Prevent Secondhand Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Secondhand smoke is the smoke that comes from burning cigarettes, pipes, or cigars. Secondhand smoke also comes from air exhaled by people who are smoking. Smoking also leaves dangerous chemicals on walls, carpets, furniture, clothing, and inside cars (thirdhandsmoke).

Even if you do not smoke, secondhand or thirdhand smoke can affect you and your baby before and after birth.

What actions can I take?

• Do not smoke. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider for help.
• Do not let anyone smoke in your house or car.
• Do not work with babysitters or caregivers who smoke. They may bring secondhand and thirdhand smoke near your baby.
• Avoid places where people smoke. If you are exposed to secondhand or thirdhand smoke at work, talk with your employer about how to avoid this.
• If you are exposed to secondhand smoke, change your clothes and wash your hands before breastfeeding.

Why are these changes important?

Secondhand smoke contains many chemicals that are known to cause cancer. Cigarettes also contain a stimulant drug (nicotine) that can affect your baby’s development. When you breathe in smoke, the harmful substances that you inhale can pass to your baby through the placenta or through breast milk and cause serious or life-threatening health problems that affect you and your baby.

What can happen if changes are not made?

Breathing in secondhand smoke during pregnancy:

• Decreases blood flow and oxygen to your baby.
• Increases your baby’s risk for birth defects, including heart defects.
• Increases your baby’s heart rate.
• Slows your baby’s growth in the uterus (intrauterine growth retardation).

Babies born to women who were exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy may:

• Have unpleasant symptoms caused by stopping the nicotine exposure (withdrawal).
• Need to stay in the hospital for special care.
• Be born too small.
• Develop ear or upper respiratory infections.
• Have a high risk of:
  • Serious health problems, including lung and breathing problems.
  • Long-term (chronic) or lifelong disabilities such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and learning problems.
  • Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
  • Becoming obese.
  • Developing behavior problems.
• Have colic.
• Be restless.
• Breastfeed poorly.

Where to find more information

You can find more information about preventing secondhand smoke exposure from:

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: smokefree.gov  
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov  
• American Pregnancy Association: americanpregnancy.org  

Summary

• Secondhand and thirdhand smoke can cause serious health problems for babies before and after birth.
• Not smoking and keeping your home and car smoke-free are the best ways to protect your baby before and after birth.