Information for parents and caregivers: no smoking during pregnancy

Information for parents and caregivers
No smoking during pregnancy

Date of publication: December 2007

Smoking during pregnancy is an important cause of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) because it damages babies before birth. Many women find that it is easier to give up smoking when they are pregnant. It is important to stop smoking as soon as possible after a pregnancy has been confirmed. A midwife or health practitioner can help pregnant women and other household members who smoke quit smoking. A phone call to Quitline (0800 778 778) can help people to stop smoking.

Sleeping position – “Back to sleep”
Babies should be put down to sleep on their backs. Babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to get their faces accidentally covered by sheets or bedding.

Sleeping environment
The recommended sleeping environment is having baby sleeping in a cot or basinette near the parents’ bed.

Co-sleeping (a parent who sleeps with their baby in bed) is dangerous when:

the baby’s mother has smoked during pregnancy, or
the adult in bed with the baby has been drinking, or taking drugs or medicines that might reduce their awareness of the baby, or
the co-sleeping adult is excessively tired.

A small increase in SUDI risk from co-sleeping is also present for babies less than three months old, whether or not the mother smoked during pregnancy.

Room sharing
Babies who sleep in the same room as parents for the first six months are at lower risk of SUDI.

Breastfeeding – ‘Breast is best’
Breastfeeding has many benefits for mothers and babies. It helps to keep babies healthy and well.

This brochure is available to download in PDF format from the Child, Youth and Mortality Review Committee website (www.cymrc.health.govt.nz)