A-Loving-Choice-Giving-Your-Baby-the-Healthiest-Start

A Loving Choice: Giving Your Baby the Healthiest Start

May 28, 2025 Women

Healthy Beginnings Matter

Being pregnant is a time filled with so many feelings – excitement, maybe a little worry, and a whole lot of love for the little one growing inside you. You want the very best for your baby, and that’s completely natural. Sometimes, though, things like alcohol, smoking, or drugs can get in the way of that.

Life isn’t always easy. Maybe you’re dealing with stress, or you’ve been using these things for a long time. It’s okay. You’re not alone, and support is available.

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Why it matters

Your baby is so small and delicate. When you drink alcohol, smoke, or use drugs, they go right to your baby. This can make it hard for them to grow strong and healthy. It can even lead to problems that last a lifetime. And that’s the last thing any mom wants.

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Alcohol

Drinking any amount of alcohol during pregnancy is not safe. It can cause birth defects, learning problems, and other health issues.

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Tobacco (Smoking)

Smoking, including vaping or e-cigarettes, can cause your baby to be born too early or too small. It can also cause breathing problems and other health issues.

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Drugs

Street drugs and misusing prescription drugs are very dangerous for your baby. They can cause birth defects, learning disabilities, and even miscarriage (when a baby dies before birth) or stillbirth (when a baby dies in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy). Even some over-the-counter medicines can be harmful, so always check with your doctor.

You are strong, and you can do this.

Maybe you’ve tried to quit before, or maybe you’re just starting to think about it.
That’s a brave step. Every little choice you make for your baby’s health is a sign of your love.

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Imagine:

Imagine holding your healthy baby in your arms, knowing you gave them the best possible start. That’s a powerful feeling.

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It’s okay to ask for help:

Sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is ask for help. It doesn’t mean you’re weak; it means you care.

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Small steps matter:

You don’t have to change everything at once. Even cutting back a little bit makes a difference.

Tips!

Here’s what can help:

  • Talk to your doctor: They’re there to support you, not judge you. They can give you safe advice and connect you with resources.
  • Call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) for help to stop smoking. You can also sign up for free stop-smoking text messages. You deserve to breathe easier, and your baby deserves healthy lungs. There are people ready to help you every step of the way.
  • For help with drugs or alcohol, call 1-800-NCA-CALL (1-800-622-2255), or visit findtreatment.gov to find support that works best for you. Remember, you don’t have to go through this alone.
  • Your local WIC clinic is also a safe place to ask for help. They understand and want to help you achieve your goals.

You’re making a loving choice.

Every day, you’re making choices for your baby.

Choosing to protect them from harmful substances is one of the most loving things you can do. You’re giving them the gift of a healthy start, and that’s something to be proud of. You’ve got this.

REFERENCES

National Cancer Institute. SmokefreeTXT. Retrieved March 21, 2025, from
https://smokefree.gov/tools-tips/text-programs/quit-for-good/smokefreetxt
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. (2015). Give your baby a healthy start. Retrieved March 21, 2025, from
https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/Give_Your_Baby_a_Healthy_Start_English.pdf

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Find Treatment. Retrieved March 21, 2025 from
https://findtreatment.gov/

Author: Amanda Hojnacki