Could a baby be affected if its father smokes?

[ChrisM19]

I'm 19 and my gf is due in August. She doesn't smoke but I do - eventhough I have asthma - but I started when I was 13. I would never smoke around the baby after its born when I do get to see it

[tamborine]

My asthmatic sis never smoked? I smoke since leaving parents home; even thru pregnancy & rearing children to maturity.

I child smokes, none have asthma, all fit, g'kids all fit - TBTG!

[dot.haukes]

tambo did it never occur to you to give up when you were younger?

[dot.haukes]

If nothing else Chris, if you want to see your child get married and you want to see your grandkids try to think beyond the next few months. It will also mean you will have lots more money to spend on your new family. Give it up . Not every smoker would be as seemingly lucky as tamborine

[jno]

my dad smoked. He died young (of other causes) but my mum, who didn't smoke, lived to 88 and I'm still going storngish.

[truce]

comming from an alcoholic that is rich doc

[sqad617]

Chris...no big deal, apart from a higher incidence of
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Bronchits
Asthma.
Glue Ear
Impairment of growth

and they are "off the top of my head"...may be others.

Your unborn baby doesn't know how lucky he/she will be.

[bednobs]

the short answer is yes.
there are examples of people who smoke, eat fried breakfasts every morning, never do exercise and live till 113, but there are many people whose lives are cut short by their lifestyles, includung smking. I have worked as a nurse before and seen babies in oxygen tanks covering their heads and very unwell with breathing problems. The thing is if there is something wrong with the baby, you will never know whether it was your smking or not

[tamborine]

Tried lots Dot - unsuccessful! So long as I can afford them, I'll keep puffing. I know the hazards but thanx for concern ;)

[gossipgirl]

give it up chris, its a discusting habit anyway and think of the health benefits and the money you will save. Its all well and good saying you wont smoke infront of the baby but you will still smell of the stuff and consequenly make your child smell of it too if you cuddle him/her.
My parents smoke and i used to be really embarrased as a child to invite friends into my house because it smelt of the stuff, i even didnt want to give them a cuddle before bed, or a peck on the cheek to say thank you etc.........i mean come on, how awful is that????????

[dot.haukes]

truce i assume when you refer to doc you mean me, i am not the doc, neither am i an alcoholic, I have maybe one quarter bottle of bacardi every 3 - 4 weeks. In anyone's opinion that would be classed as almost teetotal! keep your personal nasty insults to yourself in future

[Velvetee]

Even smoke odours on body or clothing can affect a baby and may be responsible for SIDS. You should have given up smoking really. When I have mine next week, I won't go anywhere where the baby will potentially come into contact with smoke or cigarette smells.

[PeteHull]

Everybody stops and will stop smoking eventually....

[coccinelle]

The baby can't be affected because you're a smoker, but only if you smoke nearby. On another thread you asked what you could do to help out before you go inside; well, coming out a non-smoker would be a great gift for child and mother.