Smoking and Breastfeeding

As a smoker, you are utterly aware of the fact that quitting this habit is not a stroll in the park. In fact, as a pregnant mother, you may be contemplating about going back to smoking after your baby's delivery. Before taking a trip to the grocery store to satisfy your cravings, read on first to weigh the pros and cons of smoking and breastfeeding.

Smoking and breastfeeding effects

Just as passive smoke bring about negative effects on your baby's immune system, smoking and breastfeeding increase the risk of your baby's infections. There is also strong scientific evidence suggesting that if you smoke, you are more likely to wean early.

Breast milk supply for your baby is relatively lower if you smoke than if you don't smoke. This is for the reason that nicotine decreases the prolactin in your bloodstream. Also, there is a great propensity for your baby to be colicky if you smoke while breastfeeding.

Smoking and breastfeeding may reduce your baby's resistance against sudden infant death syndrome. The same is true in your baby's protection against thyroid infections and brain problems. This is for the reason that nicotine diminishes the transport of iodine to breast milk. Similarly, nicotine in your breast milk can bring about such negative effects on your baby as abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.

Smoking and breastfeeding vs. no breastfeeding

Several scientific studies back up the claim that smoking and breastfeeding is actually better for your baby than weaning early or not breastfeeding at all. This is for the reason that breastfed babies of smoking mothers have a lower risk of developing infections and diseases than formula-fed babies as a lot of nutrients present in breast milk cannot be offered by formula milk.

To quit or not to quit smoking

While health experts strongly emphasize the need for breastfeeding mothers to quit the cigarette habit, they have several suggestions for you, the smoking and breastfeeding mother. The most important of these is to never smoke in a room where your baby is to avoid aggravating the effects of nicotine on your baby's immune system.

Make sure to wait a few hours after smoking and prior to breastfeeding as it takes 95 minutes for half of the nicotine to be eliminated from your body. Also, limit your cigarettes to 20 sticks per day since anything more than that increases your baby's risk to nicotine. If you choose to turn to nicotine replacement products as substitutes, ingest them only after your breastfeeding sessions with your baby. Remember, too, not to add smoking to such replacement products.

Since iodine is not transported to your breast milk, it is wise to consult your health provider about supplements which may increase your iodine levels. Moreover, avoid eating vegetables such as pureed tomatoes, cauliflower and eggplant since they contain nicotine. Lastly, don't try to schedule your breastfeeding sessions and instead let your baby dictate when he/she wants to drink your milk.

Article Source: http://www.content.onlypunjab.com

Visit us or share your opinions at the worlds best homepage or free content resource.Do you want to quit smoking? Visit Smokefree England for further information.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated