Smoking and breastfeeding: Can you do both?

These days, most people are well aware of the negative effects of smoking on health. However, many people still struggle with quitting. Some women find they are unable to quit whilst pregnant, while others quit smoking the minute they see the positive result of their test, only to immediately take it up after the birth.

Although smoking and babies are a dangerous combination, research has proven that it is still far more beneficial to the baby to be breastfed even by a mother who smokes.

Smokers may decide not to breastfeed or choose to wean their babies early because they fear that their milk will be contaminated and that their milk poses a greater risk to the baby than bottle feeding. It is important to remember that although modern formulas are adequate, they do not have any of the unique nutritional or immunological advantages that breastmilk can provide.

It is always preferable to continue  to breastfeed. Reasearch has shown it is actually more important to stop smoking in families where infants are artificially fed.

Nicotine enters the bloodstream very quickly and has a half-life in breastmilk of about one and a half hours. The extent of exposure of a breastfed baby is difficult to quantify due to the fact that at least part of the exposure can be due to passive smoking. Smoke from passive smoke is not filtered and therefore contains more nicotine, more tar and more carbon monoxide than smoke inhaled through the cigarette and into the mother's mouth and lungs.

Babies who live in a smoking environment are more likely to be hospitalised and to suffer from respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses than babies in non-smoking households. Studies show that these babies are more likely to be irritable and unsettled and to suffer a wide number of problems from apnoea (short periods when the baby stops breathing), vomiting, poor growth, squint (strabismus, cast or lazy eye), hearing impairment and unexplained death.  Smoking depresses the immune system, leaving both the mother and baby more vulnerable to infection, allergy and other immunodeficiency problems.

Nicotine reduces basal prolactin levels which may lead to a low milk supply. Nicotine also causes an adrenaline rush which may inhibit the release of oxytocin and interfere with the let-down reflex, again inhibiting the mother’s ability to feed effectively.

Breastfeeding can be the perfect reason to quit or stay quit.  Many of the hormones present ina lactating woman’s body may actually numb the worst of the withdrawal symptoms and make quitting more comfortable than when the mother isn’t feeding. Nicotine patches can be used by breastfeeding mothers – wearing them only part time. Before even considering this option, seek advice from your doctor or a lactation consultant at your local hospital

To reduce the potential for harm to your baby if you are a smoker you can:

•        quit if possible;
•        smoke outside the house and car – never over your baby;
•        smoke only AFTER feeding to reduce nicotine exposure. Try to use other comforting techniques for the baby for 90 minutes after smoking;
•        if you do breastfeed exclusively for the first six months this will maximise the infant's protection against respiratory disease

•        continue to breastfeed as long as possible to maximise the benefits to yourself and your baby and refrain from taking your baby into smoky environments.
  

  Remember, quitting is the best option if you can. Having a beautiful little baby whose health is paramount can be the best incentive to try.