Parenting can be tough, and sometimes parents use substances like alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes, marijuana, or other drugs to cope with stress or hard feelings.
If you, or someone close to you, is pregnant or breastfeeding, substances can affect your baby’s growth and well-being. Even if you are not pregnant, using substances can make it hard to take care of yourself. It can also make it hard to take care of your child. If you are finding it hard to manage substance use, or if you are worried about somebody who is using substances, you are not alone.
Below you’ll find clear information about substance use and its impact on adults and children, along with where you can find support.
When you are pregnant, substances like alcohol, drugs, and nicotine pass through the placenta to your baby. If your baby is exposed to alcohol, nicotine, or drugs while you are pregnant, you should let your doctor know. Substance use during pregnancy can cause:
Low birth weight
Early birth
Birth differences and developmental issues
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS):
This is when a baby is born dependent on a drug used during pregnancy and has withdrawal symptoms
Substances you use can also get into your breast milk and affect your baby.
For example, drugs like nicotine and alcohol can make your milk supply lower. They can also make your baby fussy, sleepy, or sick. Because of this, you might need to change when you breastfeed or stop breastfeeding entirely if you use certain substances to keep your baby safe. Deciding what to do is a big choice. It’s best to talk to a doctor or nurse. They can help you figure out the safest option for you and your baby.
Click the tabs below to learn more on how each substance might affect you and your baby:
Alcohol can make it hard for you to think clearly, remember things, and move around easily.
It can also harm your heart, liver, and stomach.
It can increase your risk for some types of cancer and affect your menstrual cycle.
If you are breastfeeding, alcohol can lower your milk supply and make it harder for your milk to be released.
It can also lead to you not getting enough of the good foods your body needs, and cause problems with your nerves and stomach.
Using alcohol when you are pregnant can cause a group of lifelong problems known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs).
FASDs can include birth differences, problems with brain growth and facial development, and long-term learning and behavior problems that can last a lifetime.
It can also cause you to lose the baby too early or cause a stillbirth, and can lead to babies being born too small or too early.
It can also increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
It can slow the baby’s ability to reach movement milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, and crawling.
Alcohol can change the baby’s sleep and make them drink less milk. This can make it harder for the baby to gain weight.
Using tobacco, nicotine, or e-cigarettes can increase your risk of lung problems, heart problems, and stroke.
Nicotine can raise your blood pressure and lower the oxygen levels in your body.
Using these substances can also make it harder for you to get pregnant, slow down wound healing, and increase the risk of tooth decay.
It can increase the risk of pregnancy complications for you, like pre-eclampsia (a type of high blood pressure that can cause other serious health issues) and placental abnormalities (problems with the placenta).
Nicotine can cause slow growth in the baby, leading to them being born too small and too early.
It can also increase the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.
It can also cause a baby’s water to break too early.
It is a risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
It can cause colic (a lot of crying), poor feeding, and changes in the baby’s sleep.
It can lower how much breast milk you make.
It can lead to lower weight gain for the baby.
It can also increase the risk of breathing problems, allergies, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
For your child, there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of wheezing and asthma.
They also have higher risks for ear infections, allergies, pneumonia, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Secondhand smoke can cause growth delays, sleep problems, and tooth decay in children. It can also lead to more missed days of school.
Thirdhand smoke can cause a child to have respiratory problems, such as asthma, and can damage their cells. This happens when a child breathes in or touches the harmful smoke residue that clings to indoor surfaces.
Children of people who smoke are more likely to become smokers as adults. They may start at a younger age and become more dependent on nicotine than other adults.
Marijuana can make it hard for you to focus and remember things.
It can also cause problems with your heart and lung health.
For men, it can lower sperm count. For women, it can affect your menstrual cycle and increase the risk of mental health issues.
Breathing secondhand marijuana smoke is not good for you or your baby because it has many of the same harmful chemicals as tobacco smoke.
Marijuana use can cause a shorter pregnancy or a baby to be born too early.
It can also increase the risk of stillbirth and cause babies to be born too small, with a smaller head size, and shorter length.
A baby exposed to marijuana during pregnancy may be at higher risk for problems with learning, memory, attention, planning, and self-control. Some studies also show a possible link to hyperactivity, aggression, or anxiety. Not all babies exposed will develop these problems, but the risk is greater compared to babies who were not exposed.
Research suggests that prenatal marijuana exposure can lead to the child starting to use marijuana earlier in life.
Doctors are still learning about all the ways marijuana can affect a baby’s brain.
It can make the baby sleepy and cause weak muscles.
It can also cause poor feeding in the baby.
Marijuana can also cause delays in the baby’s growth and development.
Marijuana smoke has many of the same harmful chemicals as tobacco smoke.
Breathing in secondhand smoke from any source, including marijuana, is not good for anyone.
Keeping the air around you and your baby clear of all smoke, including secondhand marijuana smoke, is important for their health.
Amphetamines can make you see or hear things that aren’t really there.
They can also make you feel very worried or scared.
These drugs can make your heart beat fast or unevenly, and they can cause a stroke or heart attack.
If you inject these drugs, you can get infections like HIV.
They can also cause seizures and serious mental health problems.
Amphetamines can cause babies to be born too early or too small.
Newborns might be more stressed and easily bothered.
The drugs can cause weak muscles and poor movement in babies.
They can also increase the risk of seizures and cause delays in how the baby moves.
These drugs can readily pass into the breast milk.
Amphetamine use can make the baby very fussy, cause poor feeding, and change the way the baby sleeps.
It can also cause poor muscle control, high heart rate, hallucinations, and seizures in the baby.
Babies and young children are more sensitive to second hand smoke from any substance because their bodies and brains are still growing.
Cocaine and crack can harm your nose, heart, and brain.
If you inject these drugs, you can get infections like HIV.
Using them can also cause your heart or breathing to stop suddenly.
Cocaine can cause your baby to be born too early.
It can cause serious harm to the baby’s intestines and brain from a lack of oxygen.
The baby might have a smaller head than expected.
It can increase the chance of seizures.
Cocaine can also cause your water to break too early or the placenta to pull away too soon.
It can increase the risk of miscarriage and cause problems with the baby’s brain and nerve growth.
These drugs can readily pass into the breast milk.
The drug can cause diarrhea, a fast heart rate, and high blood pressure in the baby.
It can also cause seizures, vomiting, and trouble swallowing or choking.
Cocaine can make the baby fussy, cause shaking, and make them startle easily.
Babies and young children are more sensitive to second hand smoke from any substance because their bodies and brains are still growing.
These drugs can make it hard for you to move well and cause you to feel sleepy.
They can also lead to you losing your appetite, throwing up, and feeling sick.
Using these drugs can lead to addiction, and an overdose can be fatal.
They may also cause you to feel worried or down and can cause blurry eyesight.
Can increase the risk of birth defects, especially if used during the first three months.
After your baby is born, they may experience withdrawal because their body is no longer getting the drug. If this happens, you might notice the following:
It can make the baby drowsy and cause them to feed poorly.
It can also cause the baby to have trouble sleeping.
You have a high risk of becoming addicted to these drugs, which can lead to overdose and serious infections like HIV.
They can also cause very bad withdrawal symptoms, such as throwing up, feeling cold, and sweating a lot.
Opiates can cause babies to be born too small or cause stillbirth.
The baby might have withdrawal symptoms such as crying, shaking, or trouble feeding.
They can also increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
These drugs can cause serious brain and nerve problems, like seizures.
It can make the baby too sleepy and cause feeding problems. In some cases, it can cause serious breathing problems that could lead to death.
The baby can also experience withdrawal symptoms such as sucking problems, unusually loud crying, or difficulty in calming down if they have had breast milk containing opiates.
Babies and young children are more sensitive to second hand smoke from any substance because their bodies and brains are still growing.
These drugs can cause problems with your memory, speech, and mood.
They can also make you feel paranoid, worried, and scared.
Hallucinogens can make you see or hear things that aren’t real, and they can cause serious mental health problems.
They can also cause seizures and even death.
Hallucinogens can cause delays in how the baby moves.
They can also cause birth differences, which are problems with how the baby’s body forms.
The full, long-term effects of hallucinogens on brain growth are not fully known, but they can affect how the brain and nerves develop over time.
There is lack of data on how much hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”) transfer into breast milk. Each product may be different, although some transfer into milk is expected, but how much is unknown.
These substances can cause sudden death from heart failure or from not being able to breathe.
They can also harm your brain, liver, lungs, and kidneys.
Using them can increase your risk of getting hurt from accidents.
Can cause birth defects such as problems with the spine, face, kidneys, and digestion.
Can cause a smaller head and brain size.
Can cause developmental, learning, and behavior problems.
Can also cause slower physical growth.
There is lack of data on how much inhalents or solvents like glue or paint thinner transfers into breast milk. Each product may be different, although some transfer into milk is expected, but how much is unknown.
Adapted from: United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. (2013). Substance Use Prevention: Screening, Education, and Referral Resource Guide for Local WIC Agencies.
https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/ResourceManual%20rev%204-17-18.pdf
Kalousova L. Parental Smoking in Childhood as a Smoking Risk Factor Throughout Middle Age. Am J Prev Med. 2023 Aug;65(2):261-269. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.02.023. Epub 2023 Mar 1. PMID: 36863667; PMCID: PMC10363230.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10363230/
Olson AL, Boardman MB, Johnson DJ. Smoke-Free Moms: Financial Rewards for Smoking Cessation by Low-Income Rural Pregnant Women. Am J Prev Med. 2019 Jun;56(6):852-859. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2019.02.008. Epub 2019 Apr 17. PMID: 31003804; PMCID: PMC6527358.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6527358/
American Academy of Pediatrics. Alcohol and Pregnancy: It’s Just Not Worth the Risk. (2019, November 19).
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/Pages/Alcohol-and-Pregnancy-Its-Just-Not-Worth-the-Risk-Video.aspx
American Academy of Pediatrics. Marijuana Use During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding FAQs. (2019, July 30).
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/Pages/Marijuana-Use-During-Pregnancy-Breastfeeding.aspx?_gl=1*1l1wous*_ga*MTU2OTQ2Nzk1OS4xNzU2MTU4NDk0*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*czE3NTY5MTk3MDUkbzUkZzEkdDE3NTY5MjAzNTMkajYwJGwwJGgw
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Alcohol Use During Pregnancy. (2024, May 16).
https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol-pregnancy/about/index.html
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-. Cocaine. [Updated 2024 Dec 15]. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501588/
March of Dimes. Secondhand smoke and your baby. (2021, October 20).
https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/blog/secondhand-smoke-and-your-baby
Eating nourishing foods can help your body recover from substance use and support your well-being. Good nutrition can:
If you have recently had a baby, focus on eating a variety of foods that support your body to help you recover. WIC can offer support on postpartum nutrition and breastfeeding.
Oregon State University. Cognitive function in depth. (2011, February).
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/cognitive-function
Oregon State University. Vitamin B6. (2014, June).
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-B6
Cornish S, Mehl-Madrona L. The role of vitamins and minerals in psychiatry. Integr Med Insights. 2008;3:33-42. Epub 2008 Sep 24. PMID: 21614157; PMCID: PMC3046018.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3046018/
Substance use can cause your body to miss important nutrients like iron, calcium, and vitamin D. Eating foods that help your body work well and taking recommended supplements can help replace these nutrients.
Eat regular meals and snacks:
Substance use can change your eating habits. Eating at regular times each day can help you feel better and support your journey toward quitting or recovery.
Eat enough protein:
Protein is important for repairing your body and building strength. Include foods like lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, and eggs in your meals.
Include fats that are good for you:
Fats from foods like avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil help your brain work well and support your body’s systems.
Choose grains that give you lasting energy:
Pick whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and whole-wheat bread. These give you steady energy and help keep your blood sugar levels even.
Drink enough water:
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated is important for your overall well-being.
Focus on whole foods:
Fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains contain important nutrients and fiber. WIC benefits can be used to get many of these foods.
Ultra Processed Foods, Added Sugar, and Caffeine
These foods can give you a quick burst of energy but then cause a crash that makes mood swings and cravings worse. While some foods like canned beans and frozen vegetables are processed to stay fresh, ultra-processed foods often have a lot of added sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Sugary drinks, caffeine, energy drinks, packaged cookies, chips, and fast food are all examples of foods that can worsen your mood swings and cravings.
Firth J, Gangwisch JE, Borisini A, Wootton RE, Mayer EA., British Medical Journal. Food and mood: how do diet and nutrition affect mental wellbeing?. (2020, June 29).
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7322666/
Nourishing your body is a big step on your journey to healing and building a better future for yourself.
Having family support is very important. If you are in recovery, it’s important to have people in your life who can help you on your journey.
In Wyoming, there is a statewide effort designed to help you and your baby get a great start. As part of this effort, a Plan of Safe Care is developed when a baby is affected by drug or alcohol use before birth. The plan is made to help with the health, development, and well-being of the baby and family. Its main goal is to make sure families have the help they need to maintain stability and prevent the separation of a mother and baby.
A PoSC is a personal guide that helps families thrive by connecting them with services and supports. The plan is created with a team of people, including medical staff, treatment providers, and mental health experts.
This plan is not a finding of child abuse or neglect. It is meant to be a community safety net for families. A PoSC also focuses on many different needs, including your physical and emotional health, as well as the baby’s health and development.
It’s important to talk to your children about substance use in a way they can understand. You can use simple and calm words. Start by asking what they have heard about substances and listen to what they say. You don’t have to be an expert.
You can explain that substances are dangerous and can hurt a person’s body. Teach them early to say “no” if someone offers them something they know is harmful.
American Academy of Pediatrics. healthychildren.org. The dangers of secondhand smoke. (2017, May 10).
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/tobacco/Pages/Dangers-of-Secondhand-Smoke.aspx
American Academy of Pediatrics. healthychildren.org. How parents can prevent exposure to thirdhand smoke. (2017, April 24).
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/tobacco/Pages/How-Parents-Can-Prevent-Exposure-Thirdhand-Smoke.aspx
American Academy of Pediatrics. healthychildren.org. Substance use. (2025).
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/substance-abuse/Pages/default.aspx
You don’t have to do this alone. There are people and programs in Wyoming that are ready to support you.
Baby & Me Tobacco Free Program:
Text the word MOM to 222888 for free support and tips to quit smoking.
Wyoming Pregnancy and Postpartum Cessation Program:
This is a free program for pregnant and postpartum women to help them quit smoking. It offers specially trained coaches, free medication like patches or gum, and a personal plan. As you meet your goals, you can also earn Visa gift cards up to $490. To get started call or enroll online:
Mental Health Support:
Search for a mental health professional or substance use counselor in your area.
Community Resources:
Other community resources can be found on the Wyoming Department of Health’s website.
Find the Treatment You Need:
If needed, find a substance use counselor, pain medication, opioid use treatment, or residential drug and treatment center in Wyoming.
Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.):
This is a group of men and women who help each other stop drinking. They share their stories and hope to solve their drinking problems and help others. Find an A.A. meeting near you.
Al-Anon:
This is a support group for anyone who has been affected by a family member or friend’s drinking. It is a safe and confidential place to share your experiences.
Nar-Anon:
This is a 12-step program for family members and friends of anyone who is struggling with a drug addiction.
Families Anonymous:
Similar to Al-Anon and Nar-Anon, this group uses a 12-step program to help family members of people with any kind of drug addiction or related behavioral problems.
SMART Recovery Family & Friends:
This group offers a different approach from the 12-step programs. It is based on a science-based, self-empowerment approach to help family members learn how to cope.
Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL):
This is a faith-based support group that provides education, peer support, and advice, mainly for parents of people with an addiction.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
While NAMI focuses on mental health, many of their family support groups can also be a helpful resource for families of people with substance use disorders, as these often go hand-in-hand.
Wyoming 211:
This free and confidential service can help connect you with local resources for food, housing, childcare, health care, and other support services for you and your family.
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, you can call or text 988 for free and confidential support 24/7.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2021). Marijuana and pregnancy.
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/marijuana-and-pregnancy
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2023). Tobacco and nicotine cessation during pregnancy.
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/05/tobacco-and-nicotine-cessation-during-pregnancy#:~:text=Even%20if%20nicotine%20is%20not,lung%20tissue%2020%2021%2022
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019). E-cigarette use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. HealthyChildren.org.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/Pages/E-Cigarette-Use-During-Pregnancy-Breastfeeding.aspx
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019). Marijuana use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/Pages/Marijuana-Use-During-Pregnancy-Breastfeeding.aspx
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2025). Cannabis and pregnancy.
https://www.cdc.gov/cannabis/health-effects/pregnancy.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2025). Health effects of vaping.
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/health-effects.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2025). Tobacco use and breastfeeding.
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/hcp/vaccine-medication-drugs/tobacco.html
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. (2014). Cannabis, you, and your baby.
https://cdphe.colorado.gov/marijuana/cannabis-you-and-your-baby
SAMHSA. (2018). Healthy pregnancy, healthy baby fact sheets.
https://library.samhsa.gov/product/healthy-pregnancy-healthy-baby-fact-sheets/sma18-5071
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2018). Opioid use.
https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma18-5071fs1.pdf
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