Prenatal smoking could make kids unruly later

Researchers have found yet another reason for mothers not to smoke while the baby is in utero — they may be unruly later!

“Mothers who smoke while pregnant increase the risk that their child will develop psychological problems, a new study finds,” according to WebMd.

Researchers from the United Kingdom and Brazil say there is reason to believe that mothers who smoke may expose their fetuses to harmful substances that may affect the behavior of the kids later. The study appears in the July issue of Pediatrics.

From Web MD:

” ‘There was some evidence that maternal smoking in pregnancy is associated with greater conduct/externalizing problems [aggressive behavior, rule-breaking behavior] in the offspring at the age of 4,’ the authors write.”

“Mary-Jo Brion, PhD, of the University of Bristol, tells WebMD by email that babies exposed to smoke may be prone to rule breaking, such as lying, cheating, bullying, and disobedience.”

I completely agree that it’s not good to smoke while you’re pregnant but your kids can turn out unruly anyway. I’ve never smoked ever in my entire life and my kids are always wild. Hmmm …

Another study featured in that same issue of Pediatrics found that second-hand smoke from father or other people could create weight problems for the children even if the mother is a non-smoker.

Sort of related but just a really crazy true story:

A friend one time told me that a relative told her she wanted an easy delivery so she had been smoking to keep the baby’s birthweight down!!!! Shocking!!! But I believe totally to be a true story!

So what do you think: Did you smoke while baby was in utero? Have you seen behavior problem later? Or vice versa no smoking but wild kids now? What about the second study about the second-hand smoke affecting childrens’ weight? Have you ever seen this happen in your family or with friends’ kids?