Sara asks if there is any evidence that breastmilk of smokers is of
reduced nutritional value. I'm afraid there is in the following article:
Hopkinson JM, Schanler RJ, Fraley JK, Garza C. (1992) Milk
Production by Mothers of Premature Infants: Influence of Cigarette
Smoking. Pediatrics Vol. 90 No.6; 934-38.
In this study milk volumes were less for the smoking group over
controls, total nitrogen, protein nitrogen, lactose, calcium and
phosphorus were similar in both groups but fat concentrations were
lower in the milk from mothers who smoked. The researches suggest
that ..."Reduced milk volume and fat concentrations may explain the
reported early weaning of breast-fed infants by women who smoke
cigarettes".
And, mentioned in the following articles, vitamin B12 may be reduced
due to its need to detoxify cyanide in cigarette smoke:
Liston J. (1998) Breastfeeding and the use of recreational drugs -
alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and marijuana. Breastfeeding Review Vol 6
(2):27-30.
Floyd RL, Zahniser C, Gunter EP, Kendrick JS, (1991) Smoking
During Pregnancy: Prevalence, Effects, and Intervention Strategies.
Birth 18:1 48-53.
I fear there'll be a lot more evidence but that's what I could find easily.
Despite this I continue to encourage mothers who smoke cigarettes to
cut down, avoid smoking in the house, smoke after breastfeeding (this
depends a bit on how many smokes/day) and convey that while not
ideal they are still better to smoke and breastfeed than to smoke and
bottle feed as per Maureen Minchin's conclusion in:
Minchin M, (1991) Smoking and Breastfeeding: An Overview. J Hum
Lact 7 (4) 183-88.
Marcia Annandale LLLL, IBCLC
Christchurch, New Zealand
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