Home » Blog » Breastfeeding » What can I use to quit smoking while breastfeeding?

What can I use to quit smoking while breastfeeding?

Understanding the Risks of Smoking While Breastfeeding
For new mothers, the decision to quit smoking can be particularly challenging, especially when considering the health of their infant. Smoking during breastfeeding poses risks, as nicotine can be transmitted through breast milk, potentially affecting the baby’s development. However, experts agree that the best way to protect your baby from the harmful effects of nicotine is to quit smoking altogether.
Safe Methods to Quit Smoking
If you’re breastfeeding and looking to quit smoking, there are several strategies you can consider that are deemed safer than continuing to smoke. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is one of the most recommended options. This includes products like nicotine patches and gum, which can help manage cravings without exposing your baby to the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes. Research indicates that using nicotine patches is safer than smoking, as the risk of nicotine exposure through breast milk is significantly lower than that from cigarettes.
Nicotine patches, in particular, are favored because they provide a steady dose of nicotine, reducing the likelihood of spikes that can occur with smoking. They are also less likely to lead to high levels of nicotine in breast milk compared to smoking or using other forms of NRT.
Additional Support and Considerations
In addition to NRT, seeking support from healthcare professionals can be invaluable. Many organizations, including the CDC and various breastfeeding support groups, emphasize the importance of quitting smoking during this critical period. They can provide resources and counseling tailored to new mothers.
It’s also essential to consider the timing of smoking if quitting entirely isn’t feasible at the moment. If you do smoke, try to do so immediately after breastfeeding to minimize the nicotine exposure to your baby.
Conclusion
Ultimately, while breastfeeding and smoking can coexist, the health benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the risks associated with nicotine exposure. However, the best course of action for both mother and child is to quit smoking entirely. Utilizing nicotine replacement therapies, seeking professional support, and being mindful of timing can help mothers navigate this challenging journey while ensuring the health and well-being of their infants.

Is vaping zero nicotine safe during pregnancy?

While use of e-cigarettes might expose a growing baby to fewer toxins compared with those from regular cigarette use, nicotine exposure of any kind is harmful to a baby. If you’re pregnant and you smoke or vape, quitting is the best way to give your baby a healthy start.

How long does nicotine stay in breastfed baby?

Moreover, breastfed infants exposed to smoking or snus by their nursing mothers are exposed to high levels of nicotine through the breast milk. Nicotine may remain in the breast milk for 12.5 hours after the last snus dose and 4 hours after the last cigarette.

Will it harm my baby if I smoke while breastfeeding?

If you smoke, it is best for you and your baby if you quit as soon as possible. Smoking can cause low milk supply, colic, and milk let-down issues. If you do continue to smoke, you should still breastfeed. Your milk can protect your baby from breathing problems, sudden infant death (SIDS), and poor weight gain.

How long should I wait to breastfeed after hitting nicotine?

Nurse your baby first and smoke immediately after. Then, if possible, wait two to three hours before nursing again. After smoking a cigarette, it takes 95 minutes for half of the nicotine in your system to be eliminated. If your baby wakes to feed in that 2 to 3-hour window, breastfeed, of course.

How do you flush nicotine out fast?

The following methods may help clear nicotine from the body:

  1. drinking plenty of water to flush waste products from the kidneys and liver.
  2. exercising to get the blood moving, boost circulation, and release waste products through sweat.
  3. eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants to help the body repair itself.

How to quit smoking while breastfeeding?

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and breastfeeding
Licensed NRT products are safe to use while you’re breastfeeding. They increase your chances of quitting smoking, especially if you also have support from your local NHS stop smoking service.

How to get nicotine out of your system fast?

The following methods may help clear nicotine from the body:

  1. drinking plenty of water to flush waste products from the kidneys and liver.
  2. exercising to get the blood moving, boost circulation, and release waste products through sweat.
  3. eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants to help the body repair itself.

How long does smoke stay in your 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.

How much nicotine passes into breast milk?

Baseline levels of nicotine (nonsmoking day: 10.2 ± 4.4 ng/mL; smoking day: 12.4 ± 4.0 ng/mL) and cotinine (nonsmoking day: 154.3 ± 31.8 ng/mL; smoking day: 141.3 ± 31.4 ng/mL) in mothers’ milk at the beginning of each testing session were similar.

Can babies go through nicotine withdrawal from breastfeeding?

Additionally, the breastfed infants of smoking mothers can exhibit sleep and waking pattern alterations and neonatal nicotine withdrawal syndrome (11, 12).

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