should i breast feed and smoke ?

Question

i have been a smoker for years and i quit during my pregnacy and i just gave birth on the 29th and i want a ciggerett really bad. but i also breast feed so is it bad if i smoke and breast feed or just hold out till im done breast feeding. i want to quit so bad but im stressed out right now . or i can just pump and save my breast milk . also when i try to stop breastfeeding how do i get rid of my milk?

Answer 1

If you smoke while breast feeding nicotine will go straight through to your baby. Not a good thing.

If you smoke after you are finished breast feeding, your baby will inhale the smoke. A baby raised in a smokers home is harmed by second-hand smoke.

If you're stressed out there are lots of things you can do to relax besides smoking. Check out this website I found for you.

To stop breastfeeding, cut out one feeding/day and substitute with a bottle of baby milk. As the baby nurses less and less, your breasts will produce less and less milk. You'll get down to one feeding/day and your breasts will only fill with enough milk for one feeding/day. When you remove the last feeding you can express the last bits of milk from your breasts manually but this probably won't be necessary.

Answer 2

Ok, if you smoke, it's really not filling your baby's lungs with smoke. A trace amount of nicotine enters your breastmilk during the cigarette. About 90 minutes after you've smoked, most of it is gone, and the small bit that's left is most likely not going to harm your child. The best way to negotiate breast feeding and smoking is to smoke immediately After feeding your baby.

If you CAN hold out, go for it. But don't think you have to wean your child if you want to continue smoking. Breastmilk from a smoker is still said to be better than formula from a non-smoker, and can actually protect your child from smoke-related allergies as opposed to formula, which offers no such immunities.

You can pump and save your milk. That would be good for, say, you've just fed your baby and went out for a smoke, then all of a sudden baby decides he/shes starving again. There you go, a bottle of expressed breast milk ensures your baby doesn't get the nic fix you just got!

I admit, I am a smoker. I am also a pump mom (I pump exclusively for a four month old, due to latch on problems). I only smoke maybe 3-4 cigs a day, as opposed to my pre pregnancy pack and a half a day. I still feel I am giving my child the best I can. Stress is a motherf'r and I really want to be a good, calm mom, and for me (unfortunately) the only way this works is if I smoke.

When you want to stop breastfeeding, hopefully it will be at a time when your milk has naturally adjusted to your baby not wanting the breast so much. I would definitely not suggest cold turkey as this can be quite painful. Drop the number of feedings by one a week until there are no more. If you need to, replace these dropped feedings with formula if your baby is under 12 months.

Best wishes, and you can do this.

Answer 3

I have also gave up smoking, I crave one everyday! I did read that you can smoke while breast feeding but you have to wait at least 2 hours after your last ciggerette before you can breast feed again. Although i am not sure of the info i did read it. I thinik it is safe to say that staying smoke free would be best. I think you should quit breast feeding before you start smoking though GOOD LUCK CONGRATS!!!!

Answer 4

This exact question came up in our local La Leche League meeting last night. The study they referenced said that while it is best and recommended that a nursing mother not smoke, a nursing mother that does smoke still provides the baby more protection against many things, including allergies and asthma, than if the smoking mother switched to formula. I recommend weaning over time. Slowly eliminate one nursing session at a time. This eliminates the chance that you will feel pain from weaning.

Also, each time you nurse you produce a couple of hormones that reduce stress in your body. So while not smoking and being a new mom is stressful, the nursing can actually help you be less stressed. I hope that this helps!

Answer 5

You quit for 9 months?! That's awesome! I say don't smoke, do breastfeed.

I'm sure your doctor or midwife can give you some information or resources on staying quit. You're on a rough ride. Have your family and friends help you out with chores and baby. Hang in there - you're doing great and I know you CAN stay quit.

Answer 6

No, you should breastfeed and NOT smoke. But I think you already know that. If you do decide to smoke, it is still healthier for your baby if you breastfeed than switching to formula. There are a lot of resources out there to help you stop smoking. You've made it this long, keep it up for your sake and your baby's.

And if you stop breastfeeding the way it was meant to be, with child-led weaning, you don't have to "get rid of your milk". It will naturally diminish painlessly without any problems.

Answer 7

Hi, I too stopped smoking through my pregnancies but returned to smoking after giving birth. My Midwives recommended smoking after feeding bub & not before so as the nicotine it has time to leave my system. If you're feeling so stressed that you need a smoke, I would say go OUTDOORS and have one. (You'll be a much better & relaxed mother for your little one... & remember... after a feed & not before)

Answer 8

I also quit during my pregnancy and started back up when my son was 2 months old. I did breastfeed, I never smoked before I did though. In "What to Expect the First Year" it says: If you can't stop smoking, your baby is still better off being breastfeed, than being bottlefed; do however try cutting back." I NEVER smoked around my son, or in the house or car. I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 9

it is best if you stop smoking while you breast feed. however, if you smoke while you breast feed smoke right after you feed the baby. that way when you breast feed the next time the nicotten will be out of your system and the baby wont get any through the milk. if your done feeding at say 400 than light up a cigg. if you feed evert 2 hrs than the nicotten will be out of your system by 600. but if you feed the baby less than every 2 hrs than dont smoke.
when you stop breast feeding it would be best if you asked your dr. for something to help dry up your milk, other wise it will take about a year for your milk to completly dry up and can be painfull, the only way to dry up your breast milk on your own is to stop feeding the baby.

Answer 10

I quit smoking 4 months into my pregnancy and I have not had one since. My baby is 5 weeks old and I still don't want one.
You quit while you were pregnant for your baby's health right? Then why put the baby in danger now? If you do smoke, you should change your clothes and wash up before touching baby, and never smoke in the house. Secondhand smoke lingers in yur clothes.
You were strong enough to stop while pregnant....keep it up. Don't give in to something that small. Think of all the money you can save and spend on your baby.