Hi Angie
Babies whose mothers smoke (and probably did so during pregnancy) are at
much higher risk of many illnesses (SIDS, otitis media, pneumonia, asthma).
The protection provided by living milk, from the mother who lives in the
same environment as the baby (and so develops appropriate immune responses)
is probably MORE important to these children than it is to the general
population.  The risks of smoking during breastfeeding are far outweighed by
the risks associated with artificial feeding.  Of course mothers should be
supported to quit and to minimise the risks to their kids.
Nina Berry
Australia 

-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Angie Howald
Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 1:59 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Smoking During Breastfeeding

        Hi, my name is Angie Howald and I'm a nursing student at Ivy Tech in
Indianapolis, IN.  A topic that is of major concern to me is, mothers who
smoke cigarettes and breastfeed.  Many quit smoking while pregnant, but take
back the habit as soon as baby is delivered.  Stop-Smoking-Tips.com states
that if a mother consumes less than 15 cigarettes each day, the risk to her
baby from transmitted nicotine in breast milk is quite small.  However, as
the number goes up, more nicotine is transmitted through breast milk.
       The baby might have problems like diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting.

Nicotine takes about 95 minutes to be eliminated from the body and breast
milk.  For this reason, it's imperative that the mother avoid smoking right
before feeding.  I believe that not all women will abide by this rule.
Nicotine can change a mother's milk supply by more than 100ml.  Even if baby
demands the milk, the mother's body may not be able to respond because of
effects of smoking.  Nicotine decreased prolactin in the bloodstream.  A
smoking mother's calorie supply may be low, which makes it more difficult to
produce milk.  
       The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a baby be
breastfed for the first 12 months of life to reap all the benefits.  Babies
of mothers who smoke and breastfeed are three times more likely to wean by
6-9 months.  
Smoking is a risk factor for SIDS and respiratory problems, as it reduces
baby's resistance to them.  It is states that it is always better to smoke
following a feeding as the blood and milk levels have less tobacco
chemicals.  Smoking in the vicinity of infants and children at all is
harmful.  Respiratory illnesses, lacking immune systems and incidence of
cancer are higher for smokers and those who are usually around cigarette
smoke than they are for nonsmokers.  
The baby's urine levels may contain cotinine, which is a product of
nicotine.  
It is stated that, although formula milk doesn't have such chemicals, it
must be remembered that formula milk doesn't have living cells and other
germ killing chemicals that help in protecting babies against illness.
Formula milk, as opposed to breast milk, doesn't have nutrients that help
with the brain's developments and with hormones needed to assist digestion
and immunity.
       I have also read that if a woman decides to smoke and bottle feed, it
has been shown that the baby will be at a higher risk for illness, allergies
and asthma throughout childhood.  My question to professionals is, whether
you agree that smoking and breastfeeding is better for the baby, rather than
weaning early or not breastfeeding at all?  Thank you for your time...Angie
Howald ITSN

References:

Hartwell, Eric.  Smoking and Breastfeeding.  Retrieved September 30, 2007,
from 
       Ezine Articles.  Web Site:  
       http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Smoking-and-Breastfeeding&id=464047

Stepans, Wilkerson N.  Physiologic Effects of Maternal Smoking on
Breast-feeding
       Infants.  J Am Academy of Nurse Practioners.  1993 May-June; 5 (3):  
105-3.

   


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