Expert Q&A

	By Mary Kay Smith IBCLC, Lactation Consultant

What are the effects smoking has on breastfeeding?

Smoking can affect breastfeeding in several ways. First of all, nicotine is excreted into breast milk and the baby will ingest some, depending on the number of cigarettes smoked per day. More than 10 per day can affect the quantity of breast milk produced as well.

However, keep in mind that the risks of nicotine exposure are not eliminated by bottle feeding! Formula-fed babies who live with smokers excrete nicotine and other by-products of smoke exposure in their urine. There is higher incidence of nicotine absorption from the respiratory tract than from the digestive tract (via the milk).

Dr. Ruth Lawrence states in ""A Review of the Medical Benefits and Contraindications to Breastfeeding in the United States"" that breastfed babies with mothers who smoke will receive less than 5 percent of the adult dose of nicotine. The greatest danger to any child exposed to an adult who smokes is passive exposure through the respiratory tract. Breast milk certainly offers protection from respiratory problems and ear infections.

Hope this answers your questions.

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