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<h1>Breastfeeding - www.breastfeeding.org.nz</h1>

Smoking


Can I smoke when I’m breastfeeding?


A baby should be kept smoke free at all times. Women who are ceasing or reducing smoking may require expert support and advice from a registered dietitian about weight gain and energy intake in pregnancy.

Free services that help people quit smoking include the QUITLINE number 0800 778 778, Aukati Kai Paipa Smoking Cessation Services, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) Exchange Card providers, Smoke Change programme, and self-help manuals and advice from the Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) on intervention strategies.

If a mother is unable to quit or reduce smoking they should continue to breastfeed, because the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any risks to infants associated with the presence of nicotine in breast milk.

Nicotine may make the initial let-down or flow of milk take a little longer to get started. It is a good idea to avoid smoking just before a breastfeed because of this. The same applies if breastmilk is being expressed for a baby also.

Smoking cigarettes may also reduce breastmilk supply in some women. See an article about cigarette smoking and breastfeeding on the Kellymom.com website - Breastfeeding and Cigarette Smoking.

Exposure to smoke may be more damaging for a baby than the small amount of nicotine and other cigarette chemicals in the breastmilk. If a mother continues to smoke they should minimise exposure of the infant to second-hand smoke by not smoking while breastfeeding, and by smoking outside. Be aware that smoking outside does not eliminate a baby's exposure to smoke as when mothers breastfeed their baby the smoke is in their clothes and hair etc and baby inhales it too. Other family members who smoke need to be aware of exposing the baby to second-hand smoke as well

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Page last reviewed: 31 July 2008


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