How Smoking Increases The Risk Of Infant Colic
It is common knowledge that smoking is dangerous for your health. Smoking has also been proven to be fatal to your baby - this fact can never be overly emphasized.
Smoking is an obvious risk factor for baby colic. Studies imply that pregnant women who smoke 10-15 cigarettes a day are more likely to have give birth to infants with ailments, including baby colic. The possibility of such health risk is increased by as much as 50% as compared to women who do not smoke during pregnancy.
Baby colic is a condition that is evident in children 3-months old and below. Even as early as one week after childbirth, babies can show signs of baby colic. Symptoms would include irritability and long hours of crying you could notice a pattern in infants suffering from it. If they cry for hours for more than three days in a span of one week, and if such pattern goes on for more than three weeks, then your baby is suffering from baby colic. Although there is no known cause for such condition, medical experts attest that smoking poses a great risk for infant colic.
An adult who does not smoke would have a coughing fit once exposed in a room where people smokes excessively so you could imagine a three-month old child in the exact situation. The effects would be more adverse and more serious. Studies suggest that maternal smoking have an adverse effect in your child's gastrointestinal tract. Smoking can aggravate your baby's respiratory passageways and may disrupt airflow. If this happens, it is most likely that an infant would suffer from colic.
To prove the argument that smoking can trigger colic, a study was conducted in Denmark where 1800 women where invited to be observed. They were asked about their smoking habits and lifestyle. Researchers conduct a check-up during the 16th week, 30th week and 8 months after they gave birth. Thirty percent of these women are smokers. The study concluded that 11% of the children are diagnosed with colic.
The most sensible thing to do if you want to prevent your child from suffering such an ailment is to simply quit smoking. If you can't totally eliminate your craving to puff a cigarette, then do so in some place away from your child. This simple sacrifice is not just for the sake of child's health, it can do you good as well. Smoking is never good for anyone.
