is it safe to breastfeed if you smoke?

[misty_ptrck]

I am pregnant with my 2nd child and I did not breastfeed with my 1st. I am wanting to try it with this baby but I smoke. I am not a heavy smoker. I just do not want to harm the baby. I was told that it will still be good for the baby to breastfeed and I have also heard that it is not good. What do you think?

[bluegrassmom]

I think that the benefits outweigh the risks when it comes to breastfeeding, but you should definitely ask your doctor. However, not to sound judgemental, but if you care so much for your baby's health that you want to breastfeed, why are you smoking? I'm not going to tell you about the dangers of secondhand smoke because I'm sure you've already heard them, but think of your kids' safety and health before you light up again.

[mmk07]

I smoke and I am breastfeeding my 10 month old son, he's never even had a drop of formula, and he's a happy, healthy, chunky boy. I'm sure you know about second hand smoke and your baby, but even if you can't stop smoking the benefits you can give your child through breastfeeding are so much more important than if you smoke or not. I just did a power point for my college nutrition class on breastfeeding and if you read about smoking and breastfeeding on lots of websites it can give you information about the risks. If you do smoke, just limit it and do it after nursing and not around the baby, Breastfeeding is the best for you baby!

[charliesmommy]

I smoked and breastfed and my son did fine. The only risk that I've heard of is that is could slow down your milk production but they never really prooved that.

Yes, I am aware of the risks of second hand smoke. That is why we do not smoke in the house or anywhere near our son. Proof of this is the day my babysitter got a whif of me and said "I didn't know you smoke! I can ALWAYS tell when parents smoke because the baby's clothes smell like it. Charlie's clothes always smell great!"

So, bluegrass, try not to jump to conclusions and berate people next time. OK?

[lou]

I know quitting is hard. I smoked a pack a day and had for some time, but when I found out I was pregnant I quit cold turkey. the health of my son was way more important to me than any discomfort I'd have from quitting. NO, smoking and breastfeeding is not "SAFE". It's not guaranteed that anything bad will happen, but it's not worth the risk. And BTW I completely agree with bluegrass. If you were to do some research you'd find that:

"Breast-feeding is a good way to feed a new baby, but if the mother smokes it exposes the baby to nicotine and other poisons in the smoke through breast milk. Nicotine could cause many unwanted symptoms in the baby, such as restlessness, a rapid heartbeat, vomiting, or diarrhea." http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_2x_Questions_About_Smoking_Tobacco_and_Heal th.asp


Women who smoke while breastfeeding may
subject their baby to the risk of ...

Addiction - 05/02
Atherosclerosis - 07/01
Middle ear infections - 02/02
Less breast milk - 12/91 12/92
Destruction of brain cells - 05/02
Colic or excessive crying - 03/89
Circulatory damage - 07/01 07/01
Chronic Depression - 02/04 10/00
Not being able to initiate breast feeding - 07/02
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - 01/05 09/02 11/97
Decrease in your child's ability to learn or memorize - 05/02
Not wanting to initiate breast feeding due to smoking - 1999
Growth of brain neurons to process nicotine - 05/02 03/02 11/95
A reduction in the breast's ability to pass key nutrients to the infant - 07/04


Specific Breastfeeding Risk Reduction Findings:

Respiratory illness reduced 70% while breastfeeding - 09/90
Allergy reaction risk reduced by breastfeeding - 05/96

http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksBirth.html

Also charliesmommy, I'm not trying to berate or judge any one I just want to point out a few things that others may not know. Even if you don't smoke around your child you could still be exposing him to the risks of second hand smoke.

"A new study from researchers at San Diego State University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that these parents may NOT be offering much protection to their children from secondhand smoke." http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/shs.html

· "Tobacco odors cling to people's clothes, hair, and even their skin. Second-hand smoke
residue clings to skin and can easily be absorbed by children through simple contact"1.
http://www.calmedfoundation.org/rxchange/pdfs/otherpdfs/ETSfacts.pdf

As I said, I know just as weel as anyone else how hard it is to quit, I smoked for 12 years before finding out I was pregnant. for those who haven't the will power to quit I strongly reccomend Electrolosis/acupunture. It really works and other than quitting cold turkey is the only safe way to quit while pregnant/breastfeeding. Plain and simple: as parents I should hope we all want the best for our children, so why risk their health? It's just not worth it.

[JWills]

Lou nailed it! I agree 100% I too smoked a pack a day, and "weaned" myself down to just a few a day early in my pregnancy. Then one day when I was about 3 months, I said that was enough. I quit cold turkey and havent had one since. Now if only I could get my BF to do the same...


I want him to quit for the reaosns Lou listed. Our child can still be exposed to that crap, even if he doesnt do it around her. I dont want that for her, and I bet she doesnt want it either.

I wouldnt smoke/breastfeed. But that is just me. Perhaps your doctor can help you decide what to do. Best of luck!

[firebabe]

i quit smoking while i was pregnant because of the potential risks. as for breastfeeding, i cant do it. i look into my little girls eyes and just dont have the heart to expose her to the smell. i agree with charliesmommy that smoking around your little one is bad and i am pleased she doesnt smoke around her little one. we all know the health risks involved. its a personal choice to quit smoking. instead of knocking someone for smoke we should set up a support system for those who are quitting or who want to quit. its a hard thing to do.

[charliesmommy]

I researched this subject and couldn't find anything other than what I posted. Kinda feeling bad right now. I'm done breastfeeding and I hope that he is OK. Thankfully I didn't smoke much. About 5 or 6 cigarettes per day. Right now I'm smoking about 10 a day. I have to admit, the info you posted makes me want to quit even more than I already wanted to. I truly have been trying. I quit almost every Monday. I know that sounds lame, but it's true.

[firebabe]

charliesmommy,
if you need support let us know, i was lucky to have my hubby. i know how hard it is. i was at moms house today and my sister, sister-in-law and cuz all smoke and i really wanted one(they smoke outside) but i just kept reminding myself what im quiting for. and if you do quit, prepare everyone for the possible moodiness which will pass. good luck in whatever you decide to do

[charliesmommy]

My hubby and I both quit today. I'm doing OK but really want one. Wish us luck!!!

[lou]

I wish you all the luck in the world!!!! What helped me was to basically become a hermit for a couple weeks. I went to work and came home, that was it. my fiance doesn't smoke so that was a huge help. Whatever you do, if the urge becomes so great that you absolutely cannot resist, do not buy a pack. If you do you'll end up making excuses for yourself and smoking the whole thing and saying after this one I'm done. If you absolutely must have one bum one from somebody. It's much easier to just not have one though. quitting cold turkey is hard, but it gets really easy really fast. just hang in there and good luck!!!

[JWills]

Yay Charlie! You go girl! Keep up the great work! It was really tough to quit, especially since my family still does, including my "other half". I am jealous, but then I think what my baby wants....and I tell myself I can go without a cig. Now, I dont crave them so much anymore.


Congrats and good luck on quitting. Keep us updated on how its going. And if you feel moody at all, you know where to find us to vent ;)

[myboysmom]

I hope the both of you can hang in there! I think that it will have to be easier to quit if you do it together. My parents have both always smoked, and I have to tell you that now that I have their only grandchildren, I wish more than ever that they had the desire and willpower to quit! My 2 brothers and I always tried to get them to quit when we were younger; we would hide and break their cigarettes and they would become furious, of course! I can't say that I ever noticed the smell while I lived at home, but once I moved out, I could smell it on everything! When I would go to the bar and come home at 2a.m., I would have to get in the shower and put my clothes in the washer immediately b/c the smoke stench was so strong. My brother is the same way, and even when he was in high school he would wash his clothes separate from my parents' b/c he said his clothes smelled better if he did. Out of the three of us, only one of us smokes, but supposedly he has quit in the last month or so. :) I really hope he has, and I still wish my parents would. Not only because my mom is my best friend, but I want more than anything for my kids to get the most out of their grandparents. They are awesome people, and I don't want to share just stories about them.
The reason I type this is just to give you a child's point of view. I hope that for your health (not to mention the cost of cigarettes!) you can both do it! And it will save Charlie a lot of worry in the future. :) GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[firebabe]

Charliesmommy i was just wondering how the no smoking was going. hope all is going well and you and your hubby arent killing each other LOL. Good luck!

[misty_ptrck]

well i have been working on quiting for a while. and even though i have been wanting one so bad I have not a a smoke in about a month now. YAY!! Thank you everyone who gave advice. My husband is so happy. I just realized that even though i do not smoke around my children, I do not need to breastfeed and smoke. I am so much happier :)

[jenn_0629]

I think that with smoking/drinking as far as breastfeeding is concerned, I would say don't do it. You wouldn't give you newborn a puff or a drink, so don't inadvertantly give them one, ya know?

[saralicious]

To the OP: Congrats on your somke free life! My husband told me he wanted me to be smoke free for a full year before we could TTC, and man am I glad he did! Quitting was tough times, and having that goal really helped. (Plus it was nice not to be trying to quit while being pregnant! Way too much stress!)

Anyway, to those who have smoked and breastfed or are smoking and breastfeeding, don't beat yourself up for breastfeeding--it's still the gold standard of nutrition for your baby. Obviously, the optimal thing is to not smoke and breastfeed, but smoking and breastfeeding is still substantially better than smoking and formula feeding. As another poster pointed out, even if you don't smoke around your children, they are STILL exposed to the risks of smoke, so why expose them to the risks of formula as well? Especially considering many of the risks of smoking (like SIDS, ear infections, and colic) are FURTHER increased by formula use... I'm not advocationg smoking (quit, quit, quit!!!) but in this case breastfeeding is still the right choice.