Here's one reference about the milk of mothers who smoke:
Milk production by mothers of premature infants: influence of
cigarette smoking.
Pediatrics 1992 Dec;90(6):934-8
Hopkinson JM; Schanler RJ; Fraley JK; Garza C

Judy Hopkinson, who works at the Children's Nutrition Research Center
(CNRC) in Houston, found that mothers who smoke had less volume of milk,
and that milk had significantly less fat.  She also found, when
recruiting, that smoking mothers tend to not breastfeed.

Kathleen Auerbach mentioned that of course a mother's milk will smell of
smoke, taste of smoke, and have nicotine in it.  My opinion is that this
*by itself* will not cause a child to be any more likely to smoke as an
adolescent.

The baby will smell smoke when held next to mom's clothing (and
presumably dad's, too).  The toddler will mimic mom's behavior.  How
many people laugh and think it's cute when a toddler or pre-schooler
puts a crayon or pencil in his/her mouth as if it were a cigarette?
Children see parents light up when they are stressed (I gotta get out of
here - I really need a cigarette!) or after a meal (Great dinner, honey,
where are my cigarettes?)

As others have mentioned, breastfed infants in smoking households are
better protected from respiratory illness, SIDS, and asthma.

It's sad that this letter has caused at least one doc in TX to call the
health department and say he is no longer willing to recommend
breastfeeding to his clients who smoke.  The next logical step is for us
to suggest that infants in households who smoke should be removed from
the home immediately, to reduce the possibility of exposure in *any*
form.

Feeling irritable with the tobacco companies this morning.
--
Jeanne Mitchell,RN, IBCLC, Austin, TX
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle."
Plato  http://www.flash.net/~xanth/home.htm
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