Smoking While Breastfeeding: Effects and Risks

smoking and breastfeeding
Tomsickova Tatyana/Shutterstock

It is known that pregnant women should not smoke or be using any nicotine at all; however, there is not much told to women about smoking after they deliver their baby. It is highly recommended for mothers to breastfeed their infants, but what does that mean for women who smoke? How long does nicotine stay in breastmilk? Just how dangerous is it to partake in smoking while breastfeeding and what are the health risks to the baby?

Table of Contents

  1. Effects of Smoking While Breastfeeding
  2. Nicotine in a Breast Milk
  3. Dangers Of Smoking While Breastfeeding
  4. Can You Smoke While Breastfeeding
  5. FAQ
  6. Final Thoughts

Table of Contents

  1. Effects of Smoking While Breastfeeding
  2. Nicotine in a Breast Milk
  3. Dangers Of Smoking While Breastfeeding
  4. Can You Smoke While Breastfeeding
  5. FAQ
  6. Final Thoughts

Is Smoking While Breastfeeding Safe?

Moms who smoke while breastfeeding have been shown to produce less milk than mothers who don’t use cigarettes. When breastfeeding, the body produces a hormone that signals for the breasts to produce more milk and eject it rapidly.

Nicotine from smoking interferes with the production of that hormone, which can lead to the mother not being able to produce enough milk for the infant. When the child does not get enough milk, it can affect their development and make them exhibit behaviors the lead to less efficient feeding and earlier weaning.

Babies can also be affected by secondhand smoke if moms are using cigarettes around their infant. Secondhand smoke affects happen when the baby inhales smoke around them, which is most likely to occur if their mother is smoking around them. Secondhand smoke is most dangerous to the baby, as inhalation causes a risk of breathing issues and can increase the baby’s risk of developing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Moms who smoke while breastfeeding have been shown to produce less milk than mothers who don’t use cigarettes. When breastfeeding, the body produces a hormone that signals for the breasts to produce more milk and eject it rapidly.

Nicotine from smoking interferes with the production of that hormone, which can lead to the mother not being able to produce enough milk for the infant. When the child does not get enough milk, it can affect their development and make them exhibit behaviors the lead to less efficient feeding and earlier weaning.

Babies can also be affected by secondhand smoke if moms are using cigarettes around their infant. Secondhand smoke affects happen when the baby inhales smoke around them, which is most likely to occur if their mother is smoking around them. Secondhand smoke is most dangerous to the baby, as inhalation causes a risk of breathing issues and can increase the baby’s risk of developing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Effect of Nicotine in Cigarettes on Breast Milk

Even though the amount of nicotine in the breast milk of smoking mothers is near twice the amount of nicotine in a placenta of a smoking mother, it is regarded as less dangerous to use cigarettes and breastfeed than while pregnant.

This is because feeding breast milk provides natural health protection for the baby. Studies have shown that breastfed babies exposed to nicotine are less likely to get respiratory illnesses than formula-fed babies.

While the risk of respiratory illnesses was found to be less, nicotine and cigarette smoke still have effects on infants. It changes the composition of breast milk, which impacts how much nutrition babies receive from their mother’s milk.

Long-lasting nausea, fussiness, restlessness, and excessive crying are all symptoms of infant nicotine consumption and can be avoided by not smoking while breastfeeding. In general, smoking while breastfeeding is not the healthiest combination for babies and could lead to future issues.

Even though the amount of nicotine in the breast milk of smoking mothers is near twice the amount of nicotine in a placenta of a smoking mother, it is regarded as less dangerous to use cigarettes and breastfeed than while pregnant.

This is because feeding breast milk provides natural health protection for the baby. Studies have shown that breastfed babies exposed to nicotine are less likely to get respiratory illnesses than formula-fed babies.

While the risk of respiratory illnesses was found to be less, nicotine and cigarette smoke still have effects on infants. It changes the composition of breast milk, which impacts how much nutrition babies receive from their mother’s milk.

Long-lasting nausea, fussiness, restlessness, and excessive crying are all symptoms of infant nicotine consumption and can be avoided by not smoking while breastfeeding. In general, smoking while breastfeeding is not the healthiest combination for babies and could lead to future issues.

The Health Risks of Smoking While Breastfeeding

Smoking cigarettes while breastfeeding can have the following effects on a baby:

  • Asthma
  • Allergic Reactions
  • Insomnia
  • Increased chances of colds and ear infections
  • Digestive Problems
  • Behavioral Problems
  • Increased Crying
  • Increased likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Smoking Weed While Breastfeeding Side Effects

According to the CDC, the chemicals present in marijuana can adversely affect an infant’s neurodevelopment. Also, cannabis products, including gummies and tinctures, can contain microbes, metals, fungus, and pesticides that can harm the mother and infant’s health.

Smoking cigarettes while breastfeeding can have the following effects on a baby:

  • Asthma
  • Allergic Reactions
  • Insomnia
  • Increased chances of colds and ear infections
  • Digestive Problems
  • Behavioral Problems
  • Increased Crying
  • Increased likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Smoking Weed While Breastfeeding Side Effects

According to the CDC, the chemicals present in marijuana can adversely affect an infant’s neurodevelopment. Also, cannabis products, including gummies and tinctures, can contain microbes, metals, fungus, and pesticides that can harm the mother and infant’s health.

Smoking while Breastfeeding: How to Minimize Health Risks

Smoking and breastfeeding: health risks
Evgeny Atamanenko/Shutterstock

The only way to completely minimize all risks is to quit smoking. It is the only way to guarantee the baby’s health will not be negatively affected. For some moms who smoke, quitting is not an option, and they should make every effort to keep their babies as safe as possible.

One way to minimize the risks of smoking while breastfeeding is to have a cigarette immediately after feeding. The amount of nicotine in breastmilk is cut in half after approximately two hours. Having a cigarette right after breastfeeding ensures that the baby will not have to eat again for a little bit, which gives the body as much time as possible to remove nicotine and other toxins from the milk.

Moms can also make sure they do not smoke in front of the baby or in places the baby spends a lot of time. Changing clothing and washing hands are other things moms can do to protect their babies from cigarette smoke and nicotine consumption.

Smoking and breastfeeding: health risks
Evgeny Atamanenko/Shutterstock

The only way to completely minimize all risks is to quit smoking. It is the only way to guarantee the baby’s health will not be negatively affected. For some moms who smoke, quitting is not an option, and they should make every effort to keep their babies as safe as possible.

One way to minimize the risks of smoking while breastfeeding is to have a cigarette immediately after feeding. The amount of nicotine in breastmilk is cut in half after approximately two hours. Having a cigarette right after breastfeeding ensures that the baby will not have to eat again for a little bit, which gives the body as much time as possible to remove nicotine and other toxins from the milk.

Moms can also make sure they do not smoke in front of the baby or in places the baby spends a lot of time. Changing clothing and washing hands are other things moms can do to protect their babies from cigarette smoke and nicotine consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Effects of Smoking And Breastfeeding

Does Nicotine Stay in Breastmilk?

Whatever a mother consumes can potentially go into a baby, which is why mothers should not smoke during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

How Long Does a Cigarette Stay in Breastmilk?

Mothers are advised to wait three to four hours after their last cigarette before breastfeeding their children. However, waiting so long between feedings may not be possible, so it is better to avoid smoking altogether.

Will It Harm My Baby if I Smoke While Breastfeeding?

A baby is at increased risk for the disorders like asthma, allergies, and the other adverse effects mentioned above.

Can I Have One Cigarette While Breastfeeding?

It is possible to smoke and breastfeed, but the baby should not be exposed to cigarette smoke or nicotine. Instead, wait several hours after a cigarette.

Will My Baby Get High If I Smoke While Breastfeeding?

It is not known whether smoking marijuana during breastfeeding can affect a baby; however, the chemicals present in cannabis can be passed from the mother to the child via breastmilk.

Does Nicotine Stay in Breastmilk?

Whatever a mother consumes can potentially go into a baby, which is why mothers should not smoke during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

How Long Does a Cigarette Stay in Breastmilk?

Mothers are advised to wait three to four hours after their last cigarette before breastfeeding their children. However, waiting so long between feedings may not be possible, so it is better to avoid smoking altogether.

Will It Harm My Baby if I Smoke While Breastfeeding?

A baby is at increased risk for the disorders like asthma, allergies, and the other adverse effects mentioned above.

Can I Have One Cigarette While Breastfeeding?

It is possible to smoke and breastfeed, but the baby should not be exposed to cigarette smoke or nicotine. Instead, wait several hours after a cigarette.

Will My Baby Get High If I Smoke While Breastfeeding?

It is not known whether smoking marijuana during breastfeeding can affect a baby; however, the chemicals present in cannabis can be passed from the mother to the child via breastmilk.

Is Smoking While Breastfeeding Worth It?

When it comes down to it, the only way to keep the baby totally safe is to quit smoking. However, quitting smoking is not always an option for some moms. Of course, it is recommended not to smoke while breastfeeding, however, if that is not possible, it is better to breastfeed than not to breastfeed.

The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the effects of smoking during this period. Make sure to take precautions when smoking to ensure the baby does not take in any secondhand smoke. Also, ensure to give the body enough time to process the cigarette and remove chemicals from the milk before feeding again.

If a breastfeeding mother needs help quitting smoking, there are many different types of cessation aids available. Aids like Nicotine patches, medications, and nicotine gum can help curb nicotine withdrawal symptoms and make quitting smoking easier. Consult with a doctor before using any of these methods to make sure they are safe to use during breastfeeding.

For more motivation to quit smoking once and for all, visit The Real Cost of Smoking.

When it comes down to it, the only way to keep the baby totally safe is to quit smoking. However, quitting smoking is not always an option for some moms. Of course, it is recommended not to smoke while breastfeeding, however, if that is not possible, it is better to breastfeed than not to breastfeed.

The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the effects of smoking during this period. Make sure to take precautions when smoking to ensure the baby does not take in any secondhand smoke. Also, ensure to give the body enough time to process the cigarette and remove chemicals from the milk before feeding again.

If a breastfeeding mother needs help quitting smoking, there are many different types of cessation aids available. Aids like Nicotine patches, medications, and nicotine gum can help curb nicotine withdrawal symptoms and make quitting smoking easier. Consult with a doctor before using any of these methods to make sure they are safe to use during breastfeeding.

For more motivation to quit smoking once and for all, visit The Real Cost of Smoking.

Published: August 4, 2015 Updated: November 24, 2021


avatar

Comments

Leave a comment