Home » Blog » Breastfeeding » How long does vaping affect breast milk?

How long does vaping affect breast milk?

The Impact of Vaping on Breast Milk
As vaping becomes increasingly popular, many new mothers are concerned about its effects on breastfeeding and the health of their infants. Understanding how vaping influences breast milk is crucial for mothers who wish to make informed choices about their health and their baby’s well-being.
Nicotine Transfer to Breast Milk
One of the primary concerns regarding vaping is the transfer of nicotine into breast milk. Research indicates that nicotine does indeed enter breast milk, albeit in varying concentrations depending on several factors, including the timing of vaping relative to breastfeeding. For instance, nicotine levels in breast milk are significantly reduced approximately 97 minutes after vaping or smoking a cigarette. This means that if a mother vapes, waiting a couple of hours before breastfeeding can help minimize the nicotine exposure to the infant.
Health Risks Associated with Vaping
While breastfeeding is generally encouraged due to its numerous health benefits, the use of e-cigarettes poses risks. E-cigarettes are not considered a safe alternative to traditional smoking, as they still deliver nicotine and other harmful substances. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other health organizations recommend that mothers who vape should be encouraged to quit, as the health risks associated with nicotine exposure can affect both the mother and the baby.
Recommendations for Breastfeeding Mothers Who Vape
For mothers who are unable to quit vaping, there are some strategies to reduce the potential risks to their infants. Experts suggest that mothers should vape after breastfeeding rather than before, allowing time for nicotine levels to decrease before the next feeding. Additionally, creating a smoke-free environment in the home and car is crucial to further protect the baby from secondhand exposure.
Conclusion
In summary, while vaping does affect breast milk by introducing nicotine, the timing of vaping in relation to breastfeeding can mitigate some risks. Mothers are encouraged to seek support for quitting vaping altogether, as this is the best way to ensure the health of both themselves and their infants. The benefits of breastfeeding remain significant, but awareness and caution regarding vaping are essential for new mothers navigating this complex issue.

How long does vape nicotine stay in breastmilk?

Nicotine levels in breast milk are highest during and immediately after smoking and tend to drop by about half in around 95 minutes. Avoiding nicotine products is the best way to protect babies from nicotine and other smoking-related chemicals.

Can I vape 0 nicotine while breastfeeding?

E-cigarettes, vaping and breastfeeding
New mums are advised to use licensed NRT products for help with quitting smoking and staying smokefree. However, if you do choose to use an e-cigarette to help you stay smokefree, it’s still better to carry on breastfeeding as the benefits will outweigh any potential harm.

How long do I wait to breastfeed after smoking?

Breastfeeding and cigarette smoke
Nicotine passes rapidly into your breast milk and affects how much milk you have. Nicotine in breast milk and passive smoking can give your baby chest infections, vomiting, diarrhoea and irritability. Avoid smoking for half an hour before you breastfeed.

How much nicotine is passed in breast milk?

Taking into account the body weight of each infant, the estimated dose of nicotine delivered to the infants increased significantly from 127.1 ± 59.8 ng/kg during the nonsmoking test session to 548.9 ± 233.0 ng/kg during the test session in which the mothers had smoked recently (P = . 03).

What drugs pass through breast milk?

Most drug molecules, including alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, are small enough to enter milk. Exceptions are drugs with high molecular weights such as heparins and insulin.

How long to wait to breastfeed after drinking?

Breastfeeding and alcohol
Breastfeeding mothers who have consumed alcohol can wait 2 hours (per drink) before breastfeeding. This time will allow alcohol levels in her breast milk to go down. If the mother cannot wait to feed her infant, she can feed milk that was previously expressed when the mother was not drinking.

Does nicotine go away in pumped breast milk?

The levels of nicotine in your breast milk will decrease by roughly half after 90 minutes. That means that it may take a few hours for nicotine to completely leave your breast milk.

What can vaping while pregnant do to the baby?

Using electronic cigarettes (vaping) during pregnancy isn’t safe. Most electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) contain nicotine, which permanently damages a baby’s developing brain and many other organs. E-cigarette liquids also contain chemicals, flavors and other additives that might not be safe for your baby.

How long does it take nicotine to leave your system from vaping?

People also process nicotine differently depending on their genetics. Generally, nicotine will leave your blood within 1 to 3 days after you stop using tobacco, and cotinine will be gone after 1 to 10 days. Neither nicotine nor cotinine will be detectable in your urine after 3 to 4 days of stopping tobacco products.

How long to wait after smoking to hold a baby?

They should change their outer clothes on return, wash their hands and rinse their mouth – traces of smoke can linger on clothing and then be released back into the atmosphere of the room they’re in for up to three hours after smoking. After smoking they should wait at least 25 minutes before handling a baby.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

Leave a Comment