$Unique_ID{BRK01885} $Pretitle{} $Title{Babies of Smoking Mothers} $Subject{baby Babies smoke Smoking cigarette cigarettes mother Mothers thrive thriving pregnant weight reason reasons milk nonsmoking fat infant infants physical formula nursing nurse} $Volume{} $Log{ Indirect Problems Caused by Smoking*0007302.scf The Effects of Smoking*0007301.scf} Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Babies of Smoking Mothers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: My newest grandchild is not thriving as he should. Although his mother stopped her smoking while she was pregnant, I know she is back at it, although she denies it. My son doesn't seem to be able to cope with this. I need you to answer a simple question. Could smoking be the cause of the baby's failure to gain weight? If you think it can, I will use your answer to try and convince my daughter-in-law to stop and give the child a chance to grow as he should. Please help a very distressed grandmother. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: Although an infant's failure to thrive is a situation with many possible causes, there is sufficient evidence that smoking can be the reason, at least in some mothers. Here's the story, according to the findings in some recently published research. Some smoking mothers produce less milk than their nonsmoking counterparts, as time goes on. During the first two weeks after childbirth, the quantities are about the same, but at four weeks they are producing 43 percent less milk, and drop to 46 percent less at six weeks. The quantity of milk produced by nonsmoking mothers increase from two to four weeks after delivery. In addition, the fat content of milk, which provides about half the calories in the milk, is about 20 percent lower in smoking moms. The nursing infant is at a real disadvantage. While it could possibly make up for the lowered fat content by drinking more milk, there is less milk available. And so the weight increase curve drops, and the baby is seen as one that is failing to thrive, though there are no physical deficits that can be found. I am sure the doctor is trying to figure this one out, but for as long as the mother denies her smoking, the physician is left with suspicions and no facts. In many cases, the child is rapidly weaned from mother's milk and placed on formula, and may improve thereafter. Not every smoking mother is affected in this way, but in the face of a baby that is not doing well, the chances are good that the weed is the culprit in this case. One fact more. Not only will the baby's condition probably improve, but there is no doubt that the mother's health would be immeasurably increased if she stopped smoking. If she did it during the pregnancy, she should be able to do it again, with the help and support of her family. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.