can a woman that is breastfeeding smoke, will it hurt the baby?

Answer 1

Smoking and breastfeeding is better for both you and your baby than smoking and formula-feeding. If you smoke, you can still take steps to help make breastfeeding a success. Here are some points to consider for mothers who smoke:

Do your best to cut back or to stop. You can find good ideas through your doctor or at the American Cancer Society’s website, http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Quitting_Smoking.asp?sitearea=PED. Quitting smoking, or cutting back, not only improves your own health and that of your baby, but can also make breastfeeding more of a pleasure. Studies indicate that smoking increases the risk of a lower milk supply and early weaning.

Breastfeed when your baby wants to, not according to a schedule. Frequent, freely offered breastfeeding helps ensure that your milk supply matches your baby’s needs. Maintaining a good milk supply helps ensure that you will be able to breastfeed as long as you choose.

Smoke after breastfeeding, in a room away from the baby, never in the car, and preferably outside. Smoking after you breastfeed means your blood levels – and thus your milk levels – of tobacco chemicals are at their lowest while you’re actually breastfeeding. Smoking outside helps keep your baby from inhaling second-hand smoke – a risk factor for SIDS and life-long respiratory problems. It also keeps you from re-inhaling your own smoke.

Answer 2

A woman who smokes will hurt the baby. Breastfeeding will make up for some of the damage, but not all. If a mother is going to breastfeed and wants to know if she can smoke, the answer is "preferably not". If a woman smokes and wants to know if she should smoke, the answer is "absolutely!!" Smoking and breastfeeding is safer for her baby than smoking and giving formula.

If she does continue to smoke, she should *never* do it around the baby, or in any indoor location (house, car) where baby will be. Outside, away from any open windows, is the only place that is really at all safe. Cutting back as much as possible will also make both her and the baby healthier (again, *regardless* of whether she is breastfeeding or not!!). And, as much as possible, she should smoke right after nursing so that the drugs (nicotine and others) have more of a chance to be out of her body before the next time baby nurses.

The above is based on information from Dr. Thomas Hale, the world's foremost expert on drugs and breastfeeding, from his book _Medications and Mothers' Milk_, 2002 edition. For more information, see his Web site (sources section below). You may need to sign in as "guest" to use it, but you don't have to give any personal information.

Answer 3

Smoking can increase your childs risk of SIDS, asthma, and pneumonia.

There are also some studies which show possible correlation between nicotine and ADHD. Nicotine does pass into breastmilk.

Nicotine, by the way, is FDA category D - There is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but the benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk (e.g., if the drug is needed in a life-threatening situation or for a serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective).

This means you're going to need some serious other support to quit - no gum or patches. My OB/GYN told me breastfeeding, category B is occasionally OK but nothing C or below. Quitting is the best present you can give your baby - and it's good for you, too.

Remember also not to replace nicotine with caffeine - caffeine can make your baby irritable, disrupt sleep cycles, and it also decreases your milk production..

Answer 4

Yes!!!! It will! Definately stop--and try for good, because if the breastfeeding doesn't harm the baby, the second hand smoke will. Plus, it's no good for the baby if you're not around long from smoking. My dad died a couple of years ago from heart-failure due to smoking. Think about that next time you look at your baby.

Answer 5

The nicotine will definitely pass to the baby. One other major toxin, Carbon Monoxide, though, will not. Not sure about the others. Tar obviously cannot.Principally, the baby will be being exposed to nicotine. Now....what that means in real terms is unclear. I was breastfed by a smoker. For four years , in fact. I was, and still am rarely sick; I have really good teeth--two fillings in 35 years,am above average height, my grades were always great, lol. And I have smoked, but was very late to start (29) and no longer do.I don't know if all of that proves anything aboiut the relative safety (or not) of the practice, but I would be inclined to definitely ignore the pressure to put the baby on formula. There are pesticides and additives in formula, and no antibodies and other goodies that you get in breastmilk, and on top of that, your baby will still be being exposed to nicotine, as it is absorbed though skin contact, very easily. I think you are being very balanced, by having the guts to ask, and really think about it, and not let guilt drive you "underground". I think breastfeed--give your baby all the goodies, and keep your smoking to a bare minimum,if you really can't face quitting.
Good luck.:)

Answer 6

Can I smoke cigarettes and still breastfeed?
Nicotine does pass into the breast milk. If you smoke and want to breastfeed, the best thing you can do for you and your baby is to quit smoking. If you choose not to quit smoking, you should still opt for breastfeeding. Substances in the breast milk will protect your baby, to some extent, from some of the dangers of secondhand smoke. Try to cut back and smoke fewer cigarettes. Smoke lower-nicotine brands of cigarettes. Feed your baby at least 95 minutes after your last cigarette, so there will be less nicotine in your breast milk when your baby latches on. Do not smoke while you are nursing. Never smoke in the presence of your child. Smoking around your child greatly increases the risk of respiratory problems and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Answer 7

The nicotine and other toxins will be in the milk. It probably won't kill the baby, but it won't do anything good for it. If you are going to breastfeed because that is what is best for the baby, it would not make sense to smoke and ruin all of the benefits of breastmilk. It would be better for the baby to bottle feed them.

Answer 8

as stated in answers below the nicotine from the cigarettes will pass thru the milk, most everything you eat or drink will go thru the breast milk, that is why they tell ya not to eat greens, spinch, or anything gasie because it can give the baby colic. also with smoking it can make the baby have colic as well and you don't want that hon beleive me I have had 4 babies and it is not pleasant, you end up staying up all night cause the baby can't sleep and the baby will have hurting tummy all night and cry to boot.

Answer 9

YES!!! The smoke does not go through the Brest milk but the smell that stays with you is secondhand and does harm your baby when you hold your baby close. Counter acting the benefits of breastfeeding in the first place!

Answer 10

I am a smoker, and my doctor told me that I can smoke as long as I fed before I smoked and then waited for 2 hours after feeding, feed again and then have another ciggarette. It won't hurt the baby Mine is fine.