After re-reading the E-mail that Jeff forwarded, I decided that a generalized answer would be OK. Even if a mom smokes, breastfeeding is better than not breastfeeding. Not smoking would be even better. "Passive smoking" is associated with increased respiratory problems. The pediatricians I work with are always complaining about kids with asthma living in smoky houses. Nicotine could make the baby fretful. Not smoking could make the mom fretful. Nicotine patches produce a lower concentration of nicotine in the milk than do cigarettes. Smoking can interfere with the MER. If the mom goes outside to smoke after breastfeeding, that would both allow let-down to occur and keep smoke out of the house. Cigarette smoking is associated with increased rates of SIDS (cot death). Smoking while breastfeeding presents a danger of dropping hot ashes on the baby, which is not a very loving thing to do. If the mother wants help with quitting smoking, I'm sure she knows how to get it. Becky