Tobacco and Breastfeeding

Continuing to smoke while breastfeeding is allowed, as long as you do not chain packs! Too much tobacco harms the quality of feedings, but also the health of babies. So, if you continue to smoke while breastfeeding, here are the precautions you can take to keep your baby healthy. We guide you …

Can I breastfeed if I smoke?

Have you decided to breastfeed Baby while still craving a cigarette from time to time? Don’t beat yourself up, breastfeeding and smoking are not totally incompatible. Indeed, no “real” danger has been demonstrated, as long as consumption remains moderate! The nutritional qualities of your milk will still do their job: allow Baby to grow and protect himself against most infections! The benefits and protective effect of breastfeeding against respiratory infections exist even in cases of maternal smoking. There is a tendency to say that a baby who is breastfed by a smoker is better than a baby who is not breastfed and exposed to second-hand smoke.

Does nicotine pass into breast milk?

Smoking cigarette and breastfeeding: the risk of weaning the baby earlier

Several studies show that the presence of nicotine in milk, in small or large doses, can affect the quality of feedings. Tobacco first lowers the level of prolactin (a hormone that triggers milk production). Moms who smoke quickly find themselves without milk. Weaning usually takes place earlier in their child compared to non-smokers. Nicotine also disrupts the milk ejection reflex, making the milk flow more slowly. Consequence: babies suckle with difficulty, feed less, and gain little weight.

The special flavor tobacco gives your milk is not to the taste of all babies either. If you continued to smoke during your pregnancy, your child is used to it (the tobacco was already passing through the amniotic fluid) and should not balk at the time of the feed. On the other hand, if you resumed smoking at birth, you may have to wait for a little before Baby appreciates this strange scent.

Tobacco and Breastfeeding: what are the consequences for the baby?

If you are a “heavy” smoker

While breastfeeding, your baby is sure to ingest nicotine! This is absorbed by the body and ends up in milk. Note that its concentration depends on the number of cigarettes you smoke, the way you smoke (with or without inhalation), and the time elapsed between the last cigarette and the feeding. It is best to wait two hours after smoking to feed your child. If you are not a “heavy smoker” – that is, up to 5 cigarettes a day – Baby won’t be more restless than any other. On the other hand, if you are a heavy user of nicotine (10/15 cigarettes per day), signs of intoxication may appear. Help in quitting or simply reducing tobacco is then more than recommended.

More frequent colic

Tachycardia, pallor, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, and over-restlessness are visible in babies absorbing high nicotine levels. Researchers have found, in the urine of babies breastfed by smoking mothers (more than five cigarettes per day), a level of cotinine (nicotine by-product) ten times higher than that of babies with smoking mothers, but fed on artificial milk. Also, note that colic is twice as common in babies of smoking mothers.

How long after smoking can you breastfeed?

It takes about 8 hours for all traces of nicotine to disappear from the blood. If you can’t stop smoking, it’s best to smoke after you feed.

Watch out for passive smoking!

Tobacco smoke in the ambient air is more harmful to your baby than the nicotine it absorbs through breast milk. Passive smoking increases the risk of ENT and bronchopulmonary diseases, as does the occurrence of sudden infant death syndrome.

A tip for parents who smoke: never smoke in the house and remember to ventilate your interior regularly!

Breastfeeding and quitting smoking

Stopping smoking is obviously THE most appropriate solution to preserve Baby during breastfeeding when you are a smoker. If you are feeling up to the task and motivated enough, now is the time! But the postpartum period is often accompanied by great emotions. You may not need to add the stress of not smoking to it.

Patch, chewing gum: what about nicotine substitutes during breastfeeding?

Know that nicotine substitutes are useful if used correctly. The best? Chewing gums, taking the same precautions as if you were smoking: take them right after feeding. If you opt for the patch, choose one that comes off at night so that the nicotine doesn’t leak into your milk all the time. In any case, do not hesitate to call a tobacco specialist, he will be able to guide you step by step to quit smoking.

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