What are the health risks for having a dog in your house and smoking when you have 8 wk old twins? I read that asthma is one of them and I assume that the babies can develop allergies from the pet dander and that the children are at risk of breathing in anything that the dog brings in. My cousin smoked all through her pregnancy and now smokes in the same room as her babies and now allows her dog (that she found as a stray) to stay in her house. I'd like to know the health risks that her babies are being exposed to.
2007-02-14 01:57:06 · 12 answers · asked by Natalie D 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Smoking in the home or car with a child should be considered abuse. You are setting them up for all kinds of ailments. Your right about the asthma, also chronic ear infections, sinus infections, chronic bronchitis, and they stink like smoke.
But hey, don't believe me, I'm just a nurse. Ask your pediatrician, but be ready for a lecture! I am a smoker myself, have tried several to stop but the addiction is so strong! However, I have NEVER smoked in the house with mine, or anyone Else's children, or in the car. Once the smoke gets in the heat or A/c its in there for good.
2007-02-14 02:05:59 · answer #1 · answered by LPnerd 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Asthma is a big one. And allergies can develop, but just because you have a pet, doens't mean the child will get an allergy. Some kids do, others don't. In generations past, people smoked during pregnancy. Both of my parents' moms smoked during pregnancy and with 5 kids on either side, none of them have issues. But the fact that asthma could have developed is scary enough to not smoke.
2007-02-14 02:03:51 · answer #2 · answered by happymommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She absolutely should NOT be smoking in the room with the babies. If she has to smoke it should be outside. As for the dog, I don't think I would let some stray dog in the house with my babies. I probably wouldn't even let them play with it until they are at least over a year old. That's not nice and very inconsiderate. In my state there is a law against smoking in a car with kids under 12 years old. It should be the same for in the house, it just isn't fair to them for her to force her smoke on them.
BTW... smoking around babies does bring on allergies, ear infections and respiratory problems like asthma. Which will all be worse with the dander and funk of a dog.
2007-02-14 02:03:12 · answer #3 · answered by t2ensie 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Smoking increases chance of SIDS if during pregnancy and or if the baby is around smoke after birth. Long term second hand smoke, like we have all learned, increases lung cancer as well as allergies.
We have a dog. I feel that there is not enough research to suggest that babies develop more allergies. I know that I was extremely allergic to cats at a young age, and after living with one when I got older, with a roomate in college, my allergy almost disappeared. After a few months of no longer living with the cat, and now 8 years later, I am again very allergic to cats. We didn't have pets growing up, so I wasn't exposed to animals at a young age. It seems to me, from my own personal experience, children that grow up with animals have less allergies to them. Just from my experience with friends and such. Allergies are funny. Sometimes they becomes worse with exposure, and sometimes you build up immunity with exposure. I'm very allergic to bananas, every time I have eaten any, which has been almost fifteen years, my allergy has gotten worse. It can go both ways. I have read that babies are at an increase of allergies and asthma when they are around animals as infants, I'm not sure how much I buy it.
2007-02-14 02:21:49 · answer #4 · answered by jc2006 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The dog, especially if it ever gets bathed, is the LEAST of those children's problems, if even at all. Is she cracked!? Smoking in the house, much less the same room can lead to some serious problems down the road, not to mention increased sickness while they're little. Colds, ear infections, etc.
2007-02-14 04:04:26 · answer #5 · answered by desiderio 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that the smoking is the worse of the two. It can cause cancer and heart disease and can increase the chance of SIDS...
The pets can cause allergies and asthma. But the positives of a child growing up with a dog or even a fish are endless. They will learn respsonsibily, compassion, and love. But I wouldnt take in a stray dog. Thats for sure.
2007-02-14 02:04:23 · answer #6 · answered by michaellandonsmommy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
we allow no smoking whatsoever in our home. Both my husband and I used to smoke but quit a little over 4 years ago. It's a nasty habit/addiction that just is smelly and dirty and unhealthy.
We, however, have 4 dogs, 4 cats, 2 birds, a rabbit and 2 reptiles. Our daughter, who is now 3, has no allergies whatsoever. And she's learning to be a compassionate, caring person, with empathy towards other creatures.
2007-02-14 04:27:42 · answer #7 · answered by Ariamay 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Another health risk of smoking in the house with a baby that I didn't see anyone mention is SIDS. Smoking around a baby greatly increases the risk of SIDS. She should at least go outside for the baby's sake.
2007-02-14 02:16:15 · answer #8 · answered by mommyof2 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your smoking will be much much worse than the dog. My parents and grandparents smoked and now I have asma so bad that when I go to the doctor they ask me if I smoke. I am 34 and have the lung capacity of a 60 year old.
2007-02-14 02:05:29 · answer #9 · answered by Karrien Sim Peters 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would not be worried about the pet. Millions of people have pets and babies in the same house. Second hand smoke on the other hand is very bad.
2007-02-14 02:28:46 · answer #10 · answered by KathyS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋