Janet,
For #1, you might want to let her know that smoking is one of the risk
factors for SIDS, along with lack of breastfeeding and prone sleeping
position of baby after birth (I hate that last one, it bothers me). SIDS
is every mother's nightmare....

Also, if she really wants the graphic explanation, you might explain to
her that the carbon dioxide produced by smoking binds to hemoglobin, the
oxygen carrying molecules of the blood, effectively removing them from
their transport duties. In utero, this means that baby gets a reduced
supply of oxygen that results in impaired growth and low birthweights,
just for starters. (you are almost literally choking that baby in utero,
though I wouldn't say that!)

I have articles dealing with the effects of nicotine in breastmilk, but I
think the first two items are the most important and influential.

-Lisa

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Lisa A. Marasco, IBCLC                                /  [log in to unmask]
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant    /  [log in to unmask]

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