How to keep your baby smoke-free
The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is higher if you or your partner smokes while you’re pregnant, or after your baby is born. Follow these steps to help keep your baby safer
- Try not to smoke during pregnancy and after the birth – both you and your partner. If you smoke, the most protective thing you can do for your baby is to stop.
- Keep your baby out of smoky areas. Don’t let people smoke near your baby and keep your home, car, and other places your baby spends time smoke free. Remember, it’s illegal to smoke in a car or other vehicle if anyone under the age of 18 is present.
- Don’t share a bed with your baby if you or your partner smoke, or if the baby was exposed to smoking in pregnancy.
If you smoke 1-9 cigarettes a day during pregnancy, the risk of SIDS is four times higher than for babies of people who didn’t smoke at all during pregnancy. Even if you did smoke when you were pregnant, try not to expose your baby to smoke after birth. This alone can help reduce the risk of SIDS.
Where to get help to quit smoking
Giving up smoking can be a huge challenge for many new and expectant parents, but the good news is there is support available.
You are far more likely to kick the habit for good if you have support. There are experts who specialise in smoking cessation and products available to make it easier.
Visit NHS Better Health to get started, or speak to your midwife, health visitor or your local stop smoking service.
Read additional resources around smoking in pregnancy that we worked on in partnership with The Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group. If you’re a health professional, there are additional guides and infographics to help you support conversations surrounding vaping, smoking and pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions
You have the best chance of success if you have help from a professional stop smoking service. Speak to your midwife or health visitor or go directly to your local stop smoking service. They will have worked with many pregnant women and new parents and are there to help.
For advice and support visit the NHS website or:
- in England, contact 0300 123 1044
- in Scotland, contact 0800 84 84 84
- in Wales, contact 0800 085 2219.
There is no research available on vaping and SIDS yet, though we are funding research to discover more. This means giving up vaping is the best option, but if you do choose to use a vape, keep your baby away from vapes and their vapour. Talk to your local stop smoking service for the most up-to-date advice.
There is currently no research around bedsharing and vaping so we suggest you don’t share a bed with your baby if you vape.
The short answer is no. If you are pregnant, one of the most protective things you can do for your baby is to stop smoking.
If you smoke 1-9 cigarettes a day during pregnancy, the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is four times higher than for babies of people who didn’t smoke at all during pregnancy.
If your partner is pregnant, it’s best if you stop too, as the risk of SIDS is higher in babies who were exposed to smoke during pregnancy.
Babies who are exposed to smoke are at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), so one of the most protective things you can do for your baby is to quit.
You have the best chance of quitting if you get support, as there are expert services and products available to make it easier.
If you smoke and you’re having trouble quitting, don’t smoke near your baby and keep them away from smoky areas. Don’t share a bed with your baby if you or your partner smoke. Co-sleeping is much riskier for your baby if you or your partner smoke.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) involves using products such as gum, patches or tablets to deliver a small amount of nicotine to your bloodstream. The idea is to ease your cravings by giving your body nicotine without the harmful by-products of smoking such as carbon monoxide and tar.
Most pregnant women can use NRT safely but it’s important to talk it through with your health professional first.
The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) from very occasional exposure to a smoky environment is likely to be very low, but there isn’t enough evidence for us to know the precise risk. Try to keep your baby smoke-free at all times to keep them as safe as possible.
Breastfeeding has many benefits and it’s the best way to feed your baby, even if you smoke.
The best option is still to quit smoking, as being around smoke increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Quitting is one of the best things you can do to protect your baby.
Remember
If you or anybody in your household smokes, quitting is one of the most protective things you can do for your baby. There is help available so you don’t have to go it alone and you’re more likely to quit if you have support. If you do smoke, keep your baby away from smoky areas and avoid bed-sharing, as bed-sharing is riskier if you smoke.
Every baby safe. Every family supported.
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