NORWICH – Nearly four years after the Chenango County Health Department began conducting its "Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program" aimed at reducing the use of tobacco products among women both during and after pregnancy, the program was designated as a "best practice" by the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs.

The designation means experts in the public health field have reviewed the program and proven it is effective––something Baby and Me enrollee Kayla Sampson can attest to.

Sampson enrolled in the Baby and Me program when she found out she was pregnant with her daughter, Brynlee, because she said she knew quitting smoking was important for her and her unborn child.

"I learned about the program from the Women, Infants, and Children Program at Opportunities for Chenango," said Sampson. "I have saved a lot of money on diapers and on not buying cigarettes. I still have not paid for a single diaper so far, and Brynlee is four months old now, so that is very exciting."

The Baby and Me program provides counseling support, resources, and facilitators trained to conduct the program and encourage pregnant women to quit smoking and assist them in staying quit after the birth of the child.

Enrolled participants who are successful at quitting and staying quit are eligible for free diapers for up to two months before the baby is born and six months after. In some cases, a qualifying support partner may also enroll in the program with the primary pregnant mother if the partners reside together and both quit smoking.

Certified program facilitator Christina Arnold said, "The most opportune time to work with women to help them quit smoking is during pregnancy because they are often more motivated to try. It has been a tremendous benefit to our program to offer the free diaper vouchers and support to pregnant mothers for a long period of time – up to 8 months – to keep them smoke free."

In addition to the perks of saving money and receiving free diapers, Sampson said the most positive part about her quitting smoking is her health. "I have not been sick all winter long. I used to smoke a pack a day for 10 years. The best part about my one year anniversary for quitting smoking is that I have quit this time for good."

Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program Executive Director and certified cessation specialist Laurie Adams trained the Chenango County Nursing Division staff to facilitate the program. "We are thrilled to see the number of women Chenango County Health Department has assisted in quitting and staying quit," said Adams. "They have done a great job in reaching women in their community. They encourage their clients to consider a quit attempt and provide practical and effective steps to help them be successful.”

Research shows that babies born to non-smoking women are born at a healthy weight, are less likely to be premature, and are more likely to come home from the hospital stay with their mothers. Maintaining smoking cessation after the baby is born extends the positive health outcomes for women and their families by reducing the damaging effects of secondhand smoke, which is known to cause an increase in ear infections, respiratory issues, allergies, and learning disabilities. Quitting smoking greatly reduces the health risks to the mother and baby.

Baby and Me– Tobacco Free Program is in 19 states nationwide and has enrolled over 18,000 women. For more information on the program go to www.babyandmetobaccofree.org or to learn how to enroll contact the Chenango County Health Department at 607-337-1660 or go to their website at www.co.chenango.ny.us/public-health/nursing to fill out a self-referral form or read about the program on the Maternal Health tab.

– Grady Thompson, Sun Staff Writer