According to the Centers for Disease Control, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the third leading cause of death for U.S. infants. After years of research into the disorder, the Back to Sleep campaign was started and mothers were warned against putting infants to sleep on their stomachs. The National Institute of Health reported a 30 percent decline in SIDS deaths in the years after the campaign began in 1992.
Researchers in Australia have found a link they think may have an even bigger impact, maternal smoking. According to research conducted at Monash University in Melbourne, mother’s smoking may be an even bigger risk factor than how the baby is put to sleep.
For the study, babies of smoking and non-smoking mothers were assessed while sleeping during the day for arousal responses, which was determined by respiration, heart rate and reflexes. The evaluations were done every few months until the babies were six months old. The test involved inducing arousal responses in the babies without actually waking them from their naps.
The researchers found the babies of mothers who smoked had a delayed arousal response. They theorize that this arousal delay is responsible for increased SIDS risks to babies born of smoking mothers. The recommendation is, obviously, for mothers to quit smoking.
This study is just one more in an arsenal of medical research into the effects of smoking. Maternal smoking can cause damage during pregnancy, birth and after the baby is born, as is shown in this study. The best gift a mother can give her baby is to stop smoking.
Unfortunately, as any former smoker knows, this is not easy advice. If you are having trouble quitting, speak to your health care provider. There are methods for quitting that are considered safe during pregnancy and your doctor or midwife is a valuable resource in your quest to quit.
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