#  How Alcohol, Smoking, and Drugs Can Affect Your Baby 

 

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## Protecting Your Baby Starts with Taking Care of Yourself

### Substances to Avoid

To keep yourself and your baby safe, avoid the following:

- [Alcohol](https://www.health4mom.org/alcohol-in-pregnancy-how-much-is-safe/) (beer, wine, or liquor) can harm your baby’s brain and body.
- Cigarettes increase the risk of your baby being born too early or too small.
- [Secondhand smoke](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/tobacco/Pages/Dangers-of-Secondhand-Smoke.aspx) (the smoke from someone else’s cigars or cigarettes) can also harm your baby.
- [Vaping and e-cigarettes](https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-infant-health/pregnancy-substance-abuse/e-cigarettes.html) may damage your baby’s brain and body.
- [Marijuana](https://www.cdc.gov/cannabis/health-effects/pregnancy.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects/pregnancy.html) may harm babies, no matter how it is taken.
- Street drugs can cause serious issues, including early labor and brain damage to your child.

### Do You or Your Family Need Help?

You don’t have to go through this alone. Support is available to help you quit smoking, stop substance use, and stay healthy during pregnancy.

#### Support for Substance Use in Pregnancy

- Call the Substance Use and Pregnancy Helpline: 617.414.4165.
- Learn more about support from our [RESPECT](/departments/obstetrics-and-gynecology/obstetrics/project-respect) clinic, which provides care for pregnant people using substances.

#### Quit Smoking

- Call [1.800.QUITNOW](tel:1.800.QUITNOW)
- Call the Smoking Cessation Program: [617.414.4847](tel:617.414.4847).
- Visit the [Massachusetts Quitline](https://ma.quitlogix.org/en-US/) for more information.

#### If You Are 12–17 Years Old

- Text “Start My Quit” to 36072
- Call [1.855.891.9989](tel:1.855.891.9989)
- Visit [MyLifeMyQuit.com](https://MyLifeMyQuit.com)