I have read many articles about the link between smoking during pregnancy and resulting in ADD in the child. I have given birth to 2 children. My first pregnancy, I did not smoke. I began smoking when my daughter was 1 yr old. 3 years later, I gave birth to a son and smoked the entire time I was pregnant I was pregnant with him. There were very early noticeable differences between the 2 children. The first were the sleeping habits, my daughter slept all night at 3 weeks and took regular naps. I had her on a daily schedule for feedings, playtime, reading, naps etc. My son was totally different. He would sleep about 2-3 hours max and never took a nap. I could not get him on a schedule. He would not sit still long enough for me to read to him. He went from one task to another. He would get up during the night and roam the house and sometimes would go outside. I knew something was not right. He had too much energy. From the time he awoke he was wide open until he just fell asleep. There was no down time for him like my daughter had. I contacted my pediatrician about my son at 2 years of age. She observed him and provided many tasks for him to complete, although intelligent enough to complete the tasks, he did not finish one. He went from one task to another with full force energy. She suspected ADD but would not prescribe any medications because of his age. When he started school we really had trouble with him. He would not finish his work, got bored easily, would get out of his seat and roam the classroom, disrupt the classroom by making noises, throwing things, talking during quite times. Everyone I spoke with who had boys all said, " oh he is just a boy, be patient, it will pass."
Eventually, we sought care through a child psychiatrist who made the diagnosis of ADD and said that his hyperactivity was part of his personality. He was put on medication and things began to improve, especially at school. Today he is 17 and is not taking his medication by his choice . He has thrill seeking behavior, is nocturnal, can go on 3-4 hours of sleep, gets in trouble at school for disrupting the class room. In certain areas of his life, he has learned coping skills and applies them the best he can.
I do not know if the link of smoking while pregnant is sound and medically proven, but from watching my two children and seeing the differences in the two, I do not believe it was girl/boy differences, I believe that smoking did contribute some difference in my son.
It has and is so difficult rearing a child or teen with ADD. It disrupts the entire family and there is always something going on whether it be at school, church or home. The more I read about smoking during pregnancy the more I question, did my habit contribute to his ADD.

lolo