Smoking While Breastfeeding
While some women give up cigarettes when they are pregnant, many others are smoking while breastfeeding, it can be a hard habit to break. So now that your baby has arrived, you may want to know the effects of smoking on a breastfed baby.
Generally, anything you eat or drink will be passed through to your breast milk and onto your baby. And with most foods and other substances your body has been designed to allow the best and most nutritious bits into your milk.
So while giving up the habit altogether is ideal, in most cases it's better to be breastfeeding and smoking than smoking and formula feeding.
If you are finding it difficult to quit –or have decided not to– you may be able to time your smoking with your baby's breast feeds. The nicotine in your breast milk breaks down very fast so if you have a cigarette after a breastfeed, the nicotine may no longer be in your breast milk by the time your baby is due to feed again.
Some of the effects of smoking while breastfeeding can include a low milk supply. The reason for this is it reduces the hormones that produce breast milk. It can also make it more difficult to experience a let-down as the rush from the cigarette can make it hard for your body to physically relax.
Smoking while breastfeeding can also change the taste of your breast milk. So if you go through a period of not smoking –maybe while you are in hospital after the birth– your baby might refuse your breast once you pick the habit up again.
Cutting back on the number of cigarettes you smoke can prevent nicotine poisoning in your baby. If your baby's skin is looking gray, and he or she has loose poo have them checked by your doctor. He will most likely check your baby's heart rate and ask if they are restless as these symptoms can also be attributed to smoking while breastfeeding. I think restlessness is a tricky one to spot though, as most babies will be restless at certain times and stages of development.
If you or someone in your household is a smoker it can be even more important for your baby that you continue breastfeeding. The antibodies in your breast milk will help to protect your baby from chest infections and respiratory problems that they may be exposed to by being a passive smoker.
While in most cases it's probably best to give up smoking when you have a baby, you may not have to if you are breastfeeding…cutting back may be a good option. Always try to smoke away from your baby and outside of the house and car to reduce their exposure.
Please always remember to consult your health professional to find out information that is relevant to your specific situation.
Do you know someone who may find this article helpful?
If so click 
to SHARE it.
Where would you like to go now:
Return from Smoking While Breastfeeding to Drugs and Breastfeeding
Go to Alcohol and Breastfeeding
Go to Breastfeeding and Marijuana
Go to Caffeine and Breastfeeding
Go to Breastfeeding and Medicine
Return to The Essence of Breastfeeding
