Increased carbon monoxide in the mother reduces oxygen levels in the fetus' blood. Vitamin metabolism is disturbed in both mother and fetus. Incidence of low birth weight babies greatly increase for those who smoke one pack or more per day. There is a direct correlation that exists between smoking during pregnancy and the increased incidence of premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor, placenta abruption and stillbirth. Behavioral effects on infants of smoking mothers, determined by developmental testing, are noted as long as 8 months after birth.
Nicotine restricts breathing movements of the mother.
Second-hand smoke increases the risk of respiratory problems in infants and children. Smoking cigarettes contributes to yellowing of the teeth. More infants die every year in accidents involving cribs than with any other nursery product. Thousands of infants are injured seriously enough to require treatment in hospital emergency rooms. Make sure there is no soft bedding underneath your baby.