Answers on breastfeeding...?

Question

i'm not quite sure if i want to breast feed or not.

i know it is totally up to me, but i have been smoking cigarettes every once in a while and i dont want the nicotenne to be in the breast milk.

how long does it take the nicotenne to get out of your system or out of your breast milk?

is it uncomfortable, should i just try it if im able to?

i dont knowwwww////

Answer 1

I would suggest trying it.  It is hard at first, but after you make it through the first few weeks it is very rewarding.  I love my bonding time with my son.  As far as smoking goes, I have included a link on breastfeeding.  Although it is not ideal to smoke when you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the Center for Disease Control still encourages you to breastfeed as the healthiest thing for the baby.  The benefits of breastfeeding outweight the negative affects of smoking.  If you can try to quit smoking.  I was a smoker before getting pregnant and I definitely know just how difficult that can be.  It is like someone else telling you to stop thinking about the color red and then all you can do is think about it.  Good luck at whatever decision that you come to.  

Answer 2

How different is it from smoking when you're pregnant?  Or smoking and then picking the baby up?  The smoke clings to your clothes, even if you smoke outside, and you will be exposing the baby to both the poisons in the smoke but the culture of smoking regardless.  If you continue to smoke nursing is better then not nursing as the harm is the same in terms of exposure, while at least you and your baby will get health benefits from nursing.  

If you smoke every once in a while, just give it up!  It's such a dirty and ungraceful habit anyway.  Do you know what the non-smoking world thinks about smokers?  How their attractiveness plummets once someone knows they light up?

Answer 3

It is definitely better if a breastfeeding mom doesn't smoke, obviously, but you can still breastfeed. It is still the healthier choice. Here is some good infomation on smoking and breastfeeding...

http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle...

As far as discomfort goes, it can be a bit painful and uncomfortable in the beginning when you and baby are still getting the hang of it. Of course, there are a lot of women who never experience any discomfort whatsoever, but many do. The important thing is to be patient. Even if it hurts at first, it WILL stop hurting. With many women, it is almost overnight - one minute it hurts, the next minute it is fine. It is also important to make sure that your baby is latching on correctly. A good nurse, or a lactation consultant, can help with that. You can also find support from your local La Leche League.

Breastfeeding offers your baby and you some really important health benefits. So, I would definitely give it some good consideration. Good luck!

Answer 4

I was breastfed and had ear infections, asthma, and depression later in life.  My dad was a chain smoker...smoked 5 packs a day.  Being breastfed obviously did not protect me.  You should quit smoking whether you breastfeed or you formula feed but there is proof that formula will not damage your child for life.  The proof are the millions and millions of bottlefed people walking amongst us everyday.  Ultimately it is your decision on how you feed your baby. don't let anyone bully you into doing something you aren't comfortable with.

Answer 5

A few friends of mine on here smoke and they bf so I dont think that matters..ask your doctor..SO YES YOU CAN SMOKE AND BREASTFEED!

Answer 6

It is better to smoke and breastfeed than to not breastfeed.

If you smoke, wait 60-90 minutes, than breastfeed. Once you are finished feeding, you can smoke again.  

Answer 7

It is better for you and your baby if you bf even if you smoke rather than not bf(ing) at all.  Only small amounts of nicotene would ever show up in your milk if none at all.  It is better for your baby to get your milk.  If you can, try cutting back though.

Answer 8

I would say, since you are on the fence about breastfeeding, give it a good effort once your baby is born and make your decision about it then.  It's really hard to take other people experiences or advice on some things...like this...only because there is such a mixture of good and bad opinions.  To be perfectly honest with you, nursing was really easy with my first 2 kids, and then absolutely horrible with the next 2.  So much so, that I'm having the same dilemma of 'to breastfeed or not to breastfeed' #5 that I'm pregnant with right now!

Anyway, here is a fantastic answer I found in regards to how long nicotine is detectable in your breastmilk after smoking.  I couldn't remember the times, so I totally cheated and found this for you.  I hope this helps you decide.  Either way, your baby will grow up and be healthy whether he is nursing or getting formula.  Good luck and congratulations!

From the website http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/10128:

Studies have shown that nicotine levels in breast milk have a half life of around 90 minutes; that is to say that the amount of nicotine detectable in the milk is reduced by half 90 minutes after smoking or using nicotine replacement therapy. It would therefore be fair to say that the level would be fairly undetectable after about three hours. Retroglide is correct in stating that the levels usually peak between 30-60 minutes, therefore if someone is intending to continue smoking while breastfeeding, or indeed to quit using nicotine replacement therapy it would be sensible to time it for directly after the baby has breast fed, therefore allowing time for the levels to drop before the next feed.

Hope this is helpful.

(Midwife & Stop Smoking Specialist.)  

Answer 9

How long has it been since you had the baby? You might have a harder time getting your milk to come in properly if it's been a while since you gave birth. But if you want to do it, do it. It's better for your baby and helps the two of you bond. If not, don't feel guilty. Breastmilk may be better for your baby's health but if you are uncomfortable or upset by breastfeeding, your baby will pick up on your stress and be unhappy as well. Just do what you feel is best and works for you and your baby will be fine.  

Answer 10

It's up to you (obviously) but interestingly enough, healthcare professionals do recommend you breastfeed regardless of whether you smoke/do drugs/etc....of course they'd rather you not but the benefits of breastfeeding are so enormous that the pros outweigh the cons.  I'd recommend just not smoking but you could always just try and only smoke after you feed.  

Breastfeeding is a very healthy choice for your child and really not that difficult!  Ask for help at the hospital or see a lactation consultant if you have trouble.  Remember, you and your baby must practice and learn how to do it right.  Good luck!

Answer 11

smoking while breastfeeding is not the huge bugaboo ppl think it is - the nicotine is not the big problem because your body filters a good chunk of it out.  the problem is smoking in the same house as your baby - don't do it.  go outside for your smoke, then come in and wash your face and hands and change your shirt because that c**p sticks to *everything*.

breastfeeding can be uncomfortable - but it's sooooooo much easier to roll 20 degrees to the right and pop a boob in the baby's mouth than having to get up in the middle of the night to a screaming baby and then listen to the baby shriek and wail while you try to get the milk warmed up and the bottle reassembled.

Answer 12

While ideally you shouldn't smoke at all, for the sake of you AND your baby, if you must smoke, it is better to breastfeed than to formula feed. Many of the 'benefits' of breastmilk offer some protection against the 'risks' of second hand smoke. (Babies of smokers, for example, are more likely to have asthma, respiratory infections and ear infections.  Breastfeeding reduces the risk of asthma, respiratory infections and ear infections.)

Breastfeeding is usually somewhat uncomfortable at first, as you and baby learn what to do, but once you get past the early learning phase, it doesn't hurt, and is MUCH better for baby (and for you) in dozens of ways.  

Do your research.  You will learn about the many ways breastfeeeding and breastmilk benefit your baby.  

And if you decide you want to breastfeed, educate yourself about the practical side of it AND commit to giving it a fair chance.  If you say you are going to 'try ... and see how you like it' , you are very likely to give up or 'fail' during those early days.  But if you commit to stick with it for, say, at least a month, by the end of that time you will 99% certain be past the difficulties, and wonder why you ever considered stopping.

Answer 13

I would suggest quit smoking.

http://www.babycenter.com/204_nicotine-i...

Answer 14

Nicotine in your breast milk won't hurt your baby. In fact, it might keep the baby from being cranky, Go ahead and nurse!

Answer 15

If you are only smoking 'every once in a while' , why not just quit cold turkey? The second hand smoke is just as bad for your child. I wouldn't breastfeed if you smoke,  you're exposing your baby too all sorts of poisons and toxins.