Breastfeeding and smoking risk

Smoking and breastfeeding are harmful because when a nursing mother smokes a cigarette, the nicotine levels in her blood and milk increase and then decrease over time. If a mother smokes a cigarette just before or during feeding, the risk to the baby is high.

Many people are concerned about the effects on the breastfeeding infant when the mother smokes. As well they should be - there is credible evidence that it can cause serious harm to the infant. Physicians and researchers alike agree that the warnings against smoking during pregnancy should be extended after the baby's birth--particularly if the mother chooses to breastfeed.

Approximately 25% of American women of reproductive age smoke tobacco, and many continue to smoke during and after pregnancy despite the known potential harm to their own health and to their child’s health. These health threats remain after the child’s birth as the baby is exposed to nicotine and other toxins in both ambient air and breast milk.

Researchers tested the urine of two-week-old infants for levels of cotinine, the form of nicotine when it is broken down in the body. Extremely high levels of cotinine were found in infants that were breastfed by mothers who also smoke.

Women who smoke may reap the benefits of breastfeeding, but babies of heavy smokers generally can expect a decreased milk supply with a lower fat content. and lower levels of vitamin C.

Babies need a high-fat diet to grow properly, smoking reduces the amount of milk produced and impairs its nutritional advantages--making it harder for babies to get their daily requirements.

In addition, because smoking is associated with sleep disturbances in adolescents and adults, researchers have begun to look at the sleeping patterns of babies breastfed by mothers who smoke. They found that the infants of mothers who smoke just before nursing have shorter sleep times and altered sleep architecture.

In addition, the infants are exposed to second hand smoke which can increase their risk of allergies, pneumonia, bronchitis and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

When it comes to breastfeeding and smoking, maternal smoking has been linked to early weaning, lowered milk production, and inhibition of the milk ejection or the let down reflex. It can also lower prolactin levels in the blood. Mothers who smoke have higher metabolic rates and may be leaner than non-smoking mothers.

If a mother smokes cigarettes, she is advised to quit. However, she is still advised to breastfeed her baby as many experts agree that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the consequences of smoking. A mother can still enjoy the benefits of breastfeeding, even if she smokes.