Babies exposed to second-hand smoke are at higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Smoking around your baby can also keep your baby’s lungs from growing properly and lead to asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, eye and ear problems, and injury or death from fires caused by cigarettes. Exposing your baby regularly to second-hand smoke is like making your baby a smoker.
For more information and free help to stop smoking, call the Smokers’ Quitline at 311.
Soon after you are home with your baby — when your baby is 1 or 2 weeks old — visit your baby’s health-care provider, even if everything is fine. Regular check-ups are important because they allow you and your provider to talk about your baby’s growth and development, and they give you an opportunity to ask questions.
Many families qualify for free or low-cost health insurance through Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or Family Health Plus. Almost all children are eligible, regardless of income or immigration status. Children under 21 who are enrolled in Medicaid can get necessary screenings, treatment, assistance with appointments, and transportation through the Child/Teen Health Program.
For more information, call HealthStat or the Child/Teen Health Program at 311.
