Now there is a lot of information regarding bad habits and their harmful effects on the body. One of the important topics is smoking during lactation. Many women refuse it on their own during pregnancy, since there is a fairly serious hormonal restructuring of the body. However, many continue to smoke even after childbirth during lactation. This is very dangerous, since the baby receives harmful and dangerous substances, which greatly damages his health.
The harm of smoking during lactation
Smoking mothers pose a serious risk to their baby’s health, as nicotine passes into breast milk very quickly. The more cigarettes smoked, the higher the risk to the baby’s health.
According to studies, smoking mothers produce much less breast milk. This means that over time, the concentration of prolactin decreases sharply, which leads to inhibition of milk production.
Tobacco can worsen the oxytocin reflex, because of this, the child may not receive enough nutrition. Milk has a much poorer composition. It contains much less vitamin and protein, and the level of mercury and cadmium rises.
Smoking negatively affects the health of the mother, as nicotine:
- impairs reproductive ability;
- provokes faster aging;
- increases the risk of infertility.
If there is a question regarding the replacement of breast milk with artificial mixtures, it is better to stop smoking, since with the breast milk the baby receives all the required vitamins.
Effect on a woman
If a nursing mother smokes, then in addition to internal discomfort, this has a negative effect on a woman. Nicotine has a negative effect on blood vessels, thereby provoking tachycardia and varicose veins.
In addition, he first excites, and then somewhat slows down nerve impulses. That is why, many say that cigarettes soothe, however, this is a deceptive condition. Sometimes prolonged smoking provokes convulsions, nausea, trembling hands, vomiting and weakness.
Smoking women often increase blood pressure. Respiratory organs begin to work more intensively, and then the functioning of the bronchi sharply decreases. In addition, there is a certain inhibition of all the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.
With the constant penetration of nicotine into the body, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx and nasopharynx often occurs, the normal functioning of the lungs and bronchi is disrupted, and dangerous disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system appear. Women who smoke often suffer from cellulite, their teeth turn yellow, their breath is stale.
Effect on breast milk
Answering the question whether it is possible for a nursing mother to smoke cigarettes, it must be said that this is very harmful. Many people believe that all tobacco poisons are quickly neutralized by breast milk, however, this is completely not the case, because everything a woman smoked receives a baby. And if parents smoke additionally with their child, then he constantly inhales the poisoned air.
Already half an hour after each cigarette, toxic substances penetrate into milk and only after 1.5 hours are partially excreted. After 3 hours, nicotine is eliminated almost completely, however, some part remains, therefore, the baby will receive poisoned food.
The duration of breastfeeding decreases sharply, as the taste of milk deteriorates, therefore, children often abandon it in the first months of life.
The effects of smoking with hepatitis B
If a nursing mother smokes, the consequences can be quite serious and dangerous. The biggest threat is sudden death syndrome. In this case, respiratory arrest may be for completely unclear reasons, not related to diseases and pathologies.
If a woman has not quit smoking during pregnancy, then the child has a significantly increased risk of developing asthma, allergies or cancer. Still smoking is dangerous because of the following consequences:
- the child eats poorly and is not gaining enough weight;
- abundantly and often spits up;
- possible nausea and vomiting;
- the baby is suffering from intestinal colic and diarrhea.
The child is constantly worried, and also has a sleep disturbance. In addition, he can often suffer from colds, which occurs as a result of reduced immunity.
Harm to a child
If a nursing mother smokes, the consequences for the baby can be very serious and even dangerous. Among the main problems it is necessary to highlight such as:
- digestion disorder;
- harm to the nervous system;
- effects on the respiratory system.
If a nursing mother smokes, the consequences for the child can be expressed in the fact that the baby is gaining weight very poorly, he has lost his appetite, and there is also the possibility of colic and other gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, significantly increases the risk of excess weight. Often, if the mother smokes and feeds the child, then this can provoke nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in the baby.
Doctors note a direct relationship between breast milk with nicotine and the incidence of colic in a newborn. Concurrent signs in this case will be various kinds of stool disorders, in particular, constipation or diarrhea. This occurs as a result of irritation of receptors located in the intestinal region with harmful substances. The child is more likely to develop malignant tumors.
In children, the likelihood of developing an allergy is significantly increased. Each new product consumed by a child provokes a negative response of the body, which manifests itself in the form of itchy rashes on the skin.
The respiratory organs of children whose mother smokes during breastfeeding cannot cope with viruses and bacteria normally. The body's defenses are weakened and the lungs cannot get rid of sputum, as a result of which the common cold often flows into pneumonia.
Children become more restless. They may refuse to breast-feed and behave very restlessly if they receive milk from their smoking mother. Toddlers often suffer from pneumonia, bronchitis, as well as many other respiratory diseases. Tobacco has a cumulative effect. This increases the likelihood of SHS in the first year of life.
It is worth noting that with passive smoking, the nicotine content in the baby’s blood is much higher than in the case of its receipt with mother’s milk.
Implications for an Adult Child
Many are interested in whether it is possible to feed a smoking mom and what the consequences will be for the child. Tobacco smoking not only negatively affects the health of the newborn, but also the already grown baby. Addiction to nicotine negatively affects the physical and emotional state of the child, and also inhibits his mental development.
Research by scientists suggests that with subsequent puberty, a child who is accustomed to nicotine will become dependent on tobacco quite early. Such children are characterized by aggressiveness and increased irritability. Usually they do not absorb information well, they have problems with behavior.
Children who smoke nursing mothers are often prone to colds, allergies, and respiratory problems. Weak immunity and some developmental delay are characteristic of such a child.
How to reduce the harm of smoking?
Many are interested in whether it is possible to feed a smoking mom and is it not better to switch to artificial feeding. It is not recommended to replace breast milk with mixtures, as they can provoke an allergy. You can try to reduce the harm from smoking.
Every effort must be made to give up smoking during lactation, since natural nutrition is most acceptable for the baby. To reduce the harm from cigarettes, it is recommended not to smoke at night.
In the morning, you need to smoke after feeding the baby, so that before the next application of the baby to the breast, most of the nicotine and resins can leave the body. You need to feed the baby no earlier than 3 hours after each cigarette smoked. To cleanse milk of toxic substances, you need to try to drink as much water as possible.
It is not recommended to smoke with a child even during a walk, since second-hand smoke more negatively affects crumbs than nicotine, which comes with breast milk. You need to eat as much healthy, wholesome food as possible, and try to compensate for the lack of vitamin vegetables and fruits.
A smoking mom should hide her hair while smoking, and then change clothes and wash her hands with soap so that the baby does not associate tobacco smoke with her mom. It is recommended that at least for the time being replace these cigarettes with electronic ones and stop smoking the hookah.
When is it best to feed after smoking?
Why many women don’t smoke for a nursing mother, but far from everyone understands how much it is best to feed a child after smoking. Initially, you need to feed him until the breast is completely empty and only after that you can smoke a cigarette. It is also allowed expressing milk from the second breast, which persists until the next feeding.
Toxic substances are in the blood for at least 1 hour. However, toxins penetrate the milk of a nursing woman all this period and are there unchanged for another 2 hours. Then the reverse process is started and harmful substances are eliminated.
How to quit smoking?
Do nursing mothers smoke? This question is quite controversial, and it all depends on the woman herself. Basically, she understands well that she is doing very badly and is harming her baby, but she simply cannot stop. There are many different ways that help get rid of your addiction and try to protect your child from the dangerous effects of tar. These include:
- positive emotions;
- charging;
- reading of books.
Before using the patch and tablets, you should consult a doctor, since they are contraindicated during lactation. Do not sharply reduce the number of cigarettes smoked, as such a addiction will become even more intrusive and the craving for smoking will increase even more. Mom must at this moment think about the health of her baby. It is imperative to try to do everything so that the child grows up smart, strong and strong, and this will require high-quality breastfeeding.
It will take some time to overcome addictions. It can be quite difficult for many to decide on such a drastic step. However, a woman needs to remember that smoking during lactation has certain negative consequences for the baby’s health. Therefore, every mother must definitely make an informed choice.
Alternative to cigarettes
Tobacco smoking provokes a very strong dependence, as it is sometimes difficult to say goodbye to an existing habit. If a nursing mother is seriously committed to achieving a positive result, then relatively safe products with a low nicotine content can help her. Such funds should include such as:
- e-Sigs;
- nicotine gum;
- patch.
Electronic cigarettes when smoking produce vapor, not caustic and harmful smoke. They contain much less hazardous substances, do not emit a bad smell. The degree of safety of such cigarettes is largely determined by the level of nicotine in the liquid that is used. However, it is not recommended to smoke such cigarettes next to the baby.
The nicotine patch allows you to constantly maintain a smaller amount of nicotine in the bloodstream of the mother. It must be removed at night. Nicotine gum acts in much the same way as a patch. If you chew it quite intensively, then the amount of nicotine will be equal to smoking.
Many say that the hookah is more harmful than cigarettes, since special tobacco mixtures are used for smoking, which contain nicotine. Harmfulness largely depends on the strength of the mixture used, as well as the presence of harmful impurities.
Recommendations for nursing mothers
Women who find it difficult to part with nicotine addiction need to learn how to combine smoking and breastfeeding as safely as possible. When organizing feeding, you need to adhere to certain rules in order to minimize the harmful effects on the baby. These include:
- Smoke less
- do not smoke near the baby;
- Switch to cigarettes or low nicotine products
- control the dynamics of the child’s weight.
Observance of safety measures will allow to combine breastfeeding and smoking normally . However, periodically it is important to check the baby’s health status, namely, visit specialists and take tests.
Opinion of Dr. Komarovsky
Regarding whether it is possible to smoke a nursing mother, Komarovsky says that there are a lot of harmful substances in milk, but if a woman cannot cope with this bad habit, then you need to try to minimize the effect of nicotine smoke on the newborn.
A popular TV pediatrician promotes smoking cessation for nursing mothers. However, he also says that mother's milk is very beneficial for the baby, even if the woman smokes.
Reviews for smoking with hepatitis B
To make a final decision, you need to read the reviews. A nursing mother smokes, and the consequences for the baby can be quite negative, as this affects many organs and systems. Many say that babies cannot stand the smell of tobacco smoke at all.
Children of smoking mothers are more moody and troubled. At the same time, not only newborns are capricious, but also at an older age. The child is usually nervous, weak, often sick, and his eyesight and skin are sometimes affected. In especially severe cases, disorders in mental development are observed. Some women say that quitting smoking is quite difficult right away.
In order to properly organize breastfeeding, you need to monitor your health, since the condition of the baby depends on it in many ways. It is important not only to give up smoking, but also to consume a large amount of vitamins, as well as temper the child from birth. As soon as he grows up a bit, gradually introduce complementary foods.
Smoking is a stable psychological dependence, which is very difficult to get rid of on your own, but it is quite possible to reduce the harm from it. Nursing mothers must definitely consider what irreparable damage they inflict on their children. Even if it is difficult to give up cigarettes, you need to follow simple rules when smoking during gestation or lactation. To combat nicotine, there are many different systems, including psychological, which are very productive.