Should a mom who can’t stop smoking must breastfeed?

Researchers have determined that new mothers exposed to cigarette smoke in their homes, stop breastfeeding sooner than women not exposed to second-hand smoke & a recent study found that growing up in a home in which two parents smoked could double the child’s risk of lung cancer later in life. Nicotine is a toxic chemical naturally found in tobacco plants and released during smoking. It is very addictive and stimulates the nervous system, increases the heart rate and blood pressure and causes other harmful effects. Breastfeeding provides many immunities that help your baby fight illness and can even help counteract some of the effects of cigarette smoke on your baby: for example, breastfeeding has been shown to decrease the negative effects of cigarette smoke on a baby’s lungs. It’s definitely better if breastfeeding moms not smoke, but if you can’t stop or cut down, then it is better to smoke and breastfeed than to smoke and formula feed.

What happens when Babies are exposed to Cigarette Smoking!!

Babies and children who are exposed to cigarette smoke have a much higher incidence of pneumonia, asthma, ear infections, bronchitis, sinus infections, eye irritation, and croup. Babies of smoking mothers and fathers have a seven times greater chance of dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Colic occurs more often in babies whose mothers or fathers smoke or if a breastfeeding mother smokes. Researchers believe that not only does the nicotine transferred into mother’s milk upset baby but the passive smoke in the home acts as an irritant. Babies of smoking parents fuss more, and mothers who smoke may be less able to cope with a colicky baby (due to lower levels of prolactin). Heavy smoking by breastfeeding moms occasionally causes symptoms in the breastfeeding baby such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Children of smoking parents are more likely to become smokers themselves. Children of smoking parents have two to three times more visits to the doctor, usually from respiratory infections or allergy-related illnesses. Children who are exposed to passive smoke in the home have lower blood levels of HDL, the good cholesterol that helps protect against coronary artery disease.                                              
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