Smoking while one is pregnant is bad for health. Many women are aware of this, but yet continue to smoke. The fetus in the womb gets damaged if one smokes while one is pregnant. Similarly, while breastfeeding one must avoid smoking. As it is smoking is considered bad for health as it can lead severe diseases such cardio-vascular problems, lung cancer, oral cancer etc.
Breast milk is the best type of food for the baby in the early period of the baby’s growth. It contains a lot of nutrients. Many working women hesitate to breastfeed their child as they have no time. But since pregnancy leave is available for them, they need not deny their child of good nourishment. Breastfeeding women who smoke have problems such as the lesser production of milk, low production of prolactin hormone, early weaning of the baby etc. If you are a breastfeeding mother and planning to quit smoking, then it is the right time now to take this decision.
The welfare of the newborn must be kept in mind, and one must ensure that one cuts down on smoking while breastfeeding. It may be difficult, but one must have the child’s welfare in mind.
Should a mother who smokes stop breastfeeding the baby?
Many experts opine that it is best for a mother to continue breastfeeding even if she smokes. Breastfeeding provides several health benefits to the baby such as greater immune health, proper nutrition, protection against health conditions etc. Hence, it is better to smoke and breastfeed rather than putting the baby on formula feed.
Why is Smoking bad While Breastfeeding?
- It is advisable to keep the newborn in an environment there is a lot of smoke around. As it is, passive smokers are also at a risk of developing lung cancer, cardiovascular problems and other smoking-related diseases which even the newborn can get exposed. The newborn gets exposed to secondhand smoke.
- The chemicals present in tobacco can enter through the breast milk. The nicotine present common is nicotine, which changes into cotinine and is passed on to the child through breast milk.
- Breast milk also tastes like cigarettes if one smokes, as there is nicotine present in the bloodstream after one smokes. One must smoke after one has breastfed the baby to lessen the effect of nicotine passed through breast milk.
- The baby can also be very fussy on account of smoking.
- The smoke can also irritate the child and make him or her feel nauseated.
- Babies living in a house where there are smokers are more likely to develop colic as compared to those who are non- smokers.
- It is necessary to have adequate milk supply as the one can feed the baby for longer period of time. Smoking can affect the required amount of flow of milk and babies wean of early.
- The smoke can suffocate the newborn. It can affect his or her breathing as he or she has to inhale the let out smoke.
- The baby can be at the same risk as a passive smoker as far as contracting diseases is concerned on account of inhaling smoke.
- Smoking lowers the amount of Vitamin C in the breast milk
- Women who smoke wean their babies earlier than women who do not smoke
- Smoking lowers the prolactin hormone in the breastfeeding mother, which is responsible for relaxing the mother
- Nicotine which is released in the milk due smoking, alters the taste of the milk. This lack of taste may make the infant refuse breastmilk
- Babies of mothers who smoke more than 15 cigarettes can have health effects such as restlessness, loose stools, increased heart rate, increased risk of colic etc.
It is very important for the mother to keep the baby away from secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke can have cause health problems such as respiratory disorders, ear infections, allergies, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) etc.
Tips to Reduce the Effect of Smoking:
Here are few tips to reduce the harmful effects of smoking on breastfeeding:
- Cut down the amount of cigarettes you smoke. The lesser number of cigarettes would mean lesser amount of nicotine in the breastmilk
- The nicotine levels are high after smoking. Hence, do do not smoke before or during breastfeeding. Always smoke after breastfeeding
- Strictly avoid smoking when the baby is around
Smoking has many harmful effects on the baby. Hence, it is best to quit smoking. For quitting smoking, you can speak to your doctor for nicotine gum or patches which can help you to quit. It is also important not to combine nicotine patches along with smoking as this may raise the nicotine levels in the milk.
