smoking while breastfeeding?

Question

i quit smoking when i found out i was pregnant. im breastfeeding now(baby is 9 days old) and im having TONS of trouble with it. im deciding not to give up thanks to all of your wonderful encouraging answers to my last question but im so stressed and im craving a cigarette so bad. i've read that its okay to smoke while breastfeeding but since my baby isnt use to it will she get sick? she's been eating every 30 min(thats part of my stress) so i cant really wait 2 hours after i smoke to feed her. do you think it would be okay to have a cigarette?

Answer 1

It's better to smoke and breastfeed than to, well, not breastfeed.

"MYTH: A mother who smokes is better not to breastfeed. Not true! A mother who cannot stop smoking should breastfeed. Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease the negative effects of cigarette smoke on the baby's lungs, for example. Breastfeeding confers great health benefits on both mother and baby. It would be better if the mother not smoke, but if she cannot stop or cut down, then it is better she smoke and breastfeed than smoke and formula feed."

http://www.drjacknewman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52&Itemid=79

(kellymom.com will tell you the same thing)

Answer 2

It is better for the baby to be breastfed, whether the mother is a smoker or not. Breast milk is such a higher quality that even with trace amounts of nicotine in the milk, it is still more nutritious than formula. You didn't say how heavy she smokes, but if she can keep it under 20 cigarettes a day, the baby will not be affected at all. Contrary to popular opinion, the baby will not get hooked on nicotine from the breast milk unless the mother is an extremely heavy smoker, and even then it is unlikely, although possible. There are only trace amounts found in milk right after a mother smokes, 90 minutes later there will be nothing in the milk. It's just like drinking alcohol while breastfeeding, it's perfectly acceptable as long as you time it right with the baby's feedings. You can go to the AAP website and read all about this, it even states that forcing a mother to give up alcohol and smoking while breastfeeding is placing unnecessary demands on her. Hopefully your sister at least will do a heavy cleaning( clean carpets and curtains etc..) and not smoke in the house after the baby is born. Secondhand smoke is FAR more dangerous than breastfeeding. If she can't quit smoking altogether, at least she could compromise and step outside for the baby's sake and wash up before handling the baby.

Answer 3

My mum smoked while pregnant and breastfeeding with my younger brother and I. Really from the kids point of view I am really not happy she did it.
Sure, we are ok but what hidden long term problems may we develop? Even if we do not. To know my mum did smoke even though she KNEW smoking was bad for her and quite possibly us, just is the icing on the cake. Selfish. So mum's out there, really think about your baby next time you want to light up when pregnant.

Keep strong and don't have the ciggie! You are doing really well, and if you have come this far you can go so much further! Good luck to you!

Answer 4

do your best to control your craving. Smoking while breast feeding is like giving your baby a cigarrette and I know you wouldnt do that. The first few months with a new baby can be very stressful, thats normal and all parents go through it. Maybe try some other relaxation techniques such as a hot bath, deep breathing, excercise, and another thing Ive always found to help is going for a drive, blasting your favorite music and belting it out. Things will get easier with time.

Answer 5

I took a breasfeeding class when I was prego with my first and they said that the baby can taste certain foods and such through your breastmilk. The baby will be able to taste the cigarettes especially if you didn't smoke while you were pregnant. The baby may stear away from breastmilk a little, a lot, or not at all. They also mentioned if you eat potent foods such as broccoli, onions & garlic, the baby will notice the taste difference. Good luck & hang in there.

Answer 6

you've given it up for this long... keep fighting the urge!!! it may be ok to smoke, but it's not GOOD to smoke.

here's some info: http://kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/smoking.html

try to find somethig else to do... I'd probably be more concerned about the 2nd hand smoke than what your body would pass on after filtering it... the residue from cigarettes stays on your skiin, hair and clothes... so unless you're going to take a shower, wash your hair, and put on fresh clothes after every smoke - it's just not worth it!!! washing your hands is not enough.

Answer 7

Really it's best to quit smoking alltogether, especiaily when you have a baby. Even if you dont smoke around the baby, your breath and clothes will smell like it and the baby breathes it in. This affects their lungs. Try to be strong, and do what's in the best interest of not only your baby's health, but your own too, and just quit.

Answer 8

~CONGRATS~ on stopping when you heard the good news!!!!

I wouldn't smoke. Babies love their mama's scent.....do you want him/her to smell smoke on you? YUCK.
That's the reason I would not do it......all smokers REEK!!!

I use to smoke a pack a day for 10 years. I did not smoke while pregnant. I still call my self a smoker.....I smoke on ladies night along with my cocktails, that's about 5 cigarettes every 4 months!

Answer 9

Try to have a cigarette when she goes down for a nap, that should buy you a little time. I haven't done the research myself but I heard that your milk might taste different and/or that when your daughter is older she might have a more likely chance of smoking herself. Good luck!

Answer 10

I would not recommend smoking around the baby in general as her lung is still developing. Second hand smoking could cause more damage to the her lung than to your own when you smoke. If craving is really bad, maybe you can get the patch system to release nicotine into your bloodstream. This will help you to stop smoking too... and may enable you to live much longer, maybe to see your daughter gets married and your grandchildren.

I say this because I know of people who dies of lung cancer due to smoking.