Fast Facts about Cigarette Smoking and Breastfeeding
December 31, 2006 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under breast milk, breastfeeding basics, cancer, health of the baby, health of the mother, medication, scientific studies
Some women might be making new year’s resolutions to quit smoking. This article provides information (and not judgment!) about pregnancy, breastfeeding, smoking and quitting smoking.
First, some fast facts about breastfeeding and cigarette smoke:
~ It is far from ideal to smoke and breastfeed–but it is worse to smoke and not breastfeed. (1)
~ The half-life of nicotine is two hours, meaning that two hours after smoking a cigarette, half of the nicotine released into the body remains in the body. (2)
~ Nicotine decreases production of prolactin, the hormone that stimulates milk production. (3), (4)
~ Maternal smoking cuts breast milk production at two …read more
