Smoking during pregnancy and after birth exposes your child to many harmful chemicals, including nicotine. Nicotine can permanently damage a fetus’s brain and lungs. Smoking can also increase the risk of a preterm birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), meaning the baby may not be fully developed. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as well as ear infections, asthma attacks, and obesity is more likely for children of smokers.Even secondhand smoke (other people’s smoke that you inhale) can result in similar health problems that could impact your child for life.
What To Avoid
Don't smoke:Don't smoke tobacco and other substances. Both E-cigarettes and vaping also contain nicotine and other toxic ingredients.
Second hand smoke:Avoid being around people who are smoking both in public or private spaces.
Safer Choices
Smoke-free zones:Make sure your home and car are “smoke-free” zones (even consider posting a sign to remind visitors or those traveling with you not to smoke). If guests insist on smoking, show them to a child-free area, ideally outside.
Quit smoking:If you are smoking when you find out you are pregnant, stop immediately or as soon as possible.
Wash hands:If you continue to smoke, wash your hands after smoking and make sure to safely dispose of your cigarette butts or other smoking related garbage.
Find Safer Products
Websites and Apps:
Clearya
Clearya is a free browser extension and app that notifies you when there are unsafe ingredients in your makeup, personal care, baby care, cleaning and other products, and helps you find safe products.
Clearya is a free browser extension and app that notifies you when there are unsafe ingredients in your makeup, personal care, baby care, cleaning and other products, and helps you find safe products.
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics - Nontoxic Black Beauty Project
They offer a list and database of non-toxic beauty products made and sold by Black-owned companies that are committed to toxic-free beauty and personal care products.
They offer a list and database of non-toxic beauty products made and sold by Black-owned companies that are committed to toxic-free beauty and personal care products.
Detox Me
This app allows you to scan barcodes on products to find relevant tips. They also offer a buying guide to decode product labels and find non-toxic alternatives.
This app allows you to scan barcodes on products to find relevant tips. They also offer a buying guide to decode product labels and find non-toxic alternatives.
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG has a "Skin Deep" database that rates personal care and beauty products based on their safety and toxicity levels. EWG also offers a Healthy Living app that allows you to scan barcodes and find safer products.
EWG has a "Skin Deep" database that rates personal care and beauty products based on their safety and toxicity levels. EWG also offers a Healthy Living app that allows you to scan barcodes and find safer products.
Think Dirty
This app and website allow you to scan or search for personal care products to see their ingredient safety ratings.
This app and website allow you to scan or search for personal care products to see their ingredient safety ratings.