Everyone knows that tobacco causes serious damage to the physical condition of women and their children. And the most terrible thing in such a situation is the fact that the baby is exposed to the harmful effects of toxic substances, which, unlike his mother, receives them unconsciously.
Relevance of the problem
One of the important topics for doctors and patients during lactation is the issue of smoking while breastfeeding. Most women are aware of the harm that can be done to a child by using tobacco at this stage of their lives.
However, modern research has shown that switching to artificial nutrition is less beneficial than mother's milk, even if she is addicted to nicotine. The fact is that there are girls who are not able to give up addictions even during pregnancy.
As a result, babies are born underweight. They have violations of the activity of various organs. Breastfeedingmilk in this case is able to make up for the deficiency of essential substances. However, is it as useful as some experts believe?
Why does a young mother use tobacco?
Today, many studies are devoted to such a topic as smoking while breastfeeding. Reviews of experts indicate that milk is a source of substances that have a beneficial effect on the child. However, the presence of nicotine in this product makes it dangerous for the body. Why young mothers, knowing about the possible risks, cannot give up this addiction?
Childbirth is an event that has a significant impact on a girl's future life. The baby requires a lot of time, attention, care and strength. Often the mother does not manage to eat and rest normally, because the whole day is scheduled by the minute. A woman often does not get enough sleep, she is worried about the condition of the newborn, she is very tired. Many people develop depression amid fatigue and stress.
Even a mother who stopped using tobacco when she found out about conception can return to addiction after giving birth. Smoking while breastfeeding is attributed to the girl's attempt to cope with stress.
False claims
Some women begin to doubt that tobacco use can negatively affect the baby's condition. The reason for this trend is that there are many myths about this. These claims suggest that nicotine exposure can be reduced, but this is not true.
To wideCommon myths about smoking while breastfeeding include:
- Breast milk reduces the negative effects of harmful compounds formed in the body due to tobacco. In fact, nicotine can change not only the composition, but also the taste of this product. It is not for nothing that nursing mothers are advised not to consume alcoholic beverages, spicy dishes and vegetables with a sharp, strong smell.
- Substances formed as a result of smoking are processed in the mother's body and do not enter the baby's body. This statement is false. Nicotine has the same effect on a child as on an adult - it promotes vasodilation, leads to disorders in the work of the respiratory system, heart muscle. Babies sleep poorly, refuse to eat, cry, have poor he alth.
- The milk of a smoking mother has no special properties that a baby would not like. This is also incorrect. Under the influence of nicotine, this product acquires not only a different taste, but also a pungent smell. These properties help reduce the appetite of the newborn.
Smoking and milk supply
Continuing to talk about how smoking affects breastfeeding, it should be noted that many women who use tobacco face the problem of not getting enough milk. Nicotine can reduce the blood levels of a substance necessary for lactation.
If a new mother does not cut down on her cigarettes within the first 24 hours of her baby's birth, she will most likely have totransfer the child to artificial nutrition. In most cases, women who smoke can breastfeed for no more than six months.
How does tobacco use affect milk?
Many young mothers are interested in the question of how long it takes to feed a baby after smoking cigarettes. Experts say that lactation should be carried out only after forty-eight hours. Then the milk becomes completely safe. This product is considered partially harmless if 90 minutes have passed since the use of nicotine. However, it's not worth the risk. Knowing about such phenomena, we can confidently conclude that smoking is harmful during breastfeeding. Therefore, knowing about the problems that threaten the he alth of the newborn, mothers often interrupt lactation.
However, switching from natural to formula is not a viable solution.
Smoking and breastfeeding: consequences for the baby
Toxic compounds contained in tobacco products enter the woman's blood in a few minutes. Then they penetrate into the milk, and a little later - into the body of the newborn. What effect do these substances have on the baby? Possible developmental and physical problems include:
- Diseases of the heart muscle associated with rhythm disturbance, as well as the ability of this organ to contract.
- High chance of sudden death.
- Problems with the activity of the stomach andintestines. The toxic compounds found in cigarettes can cause stomach cramps and nausea.
- The development of poisoning. They occur against the background of frequent smoking during breastfeeding. The consequence of intoxication for an infant is a deterioration in well-being, requiring emergency specialist assistance.
- Lack of body weight. This phenomenon is associated with a decrease in the amount of milk in women who are addicted to nicotine. It is also explained by digestive problems that occur in such cases in a child (loss of appetite, vomiting).
- Insufficient intake of nutrients in the baby's body. As a result of tobacco use, many of the beneficial compounds that enter the mother's body with food are not absorbed sufficiently.
- The occurrence of pathologies of the respiratory tract. Children suffer from pneumonia, colds.
The impact of nicotine on the further growth and development of the baby
Many new mothers reassure themselves that the lactation period is not long, and therefore the harm of smoking while breastfeeding will be temporary. This belief is erroneous, since the consequences of tobacco use have a significant impact on the child in later years of life. In such cases, babies often show nervousness, anxiety, and impulsive behavior. Babies whose mothers have not parted with this habit during lactation, there are memory problems, difficulties in mastering skills.
In addition, protectivethe forces of the body in such boys and girls do not work well, so they are prone to colds, flu. Another disease that is often diagnosed in such cases is allergy. In addition, children whose mothers smoked are prone to tobacco addiction.
Should I use substitutes?
Doctors say that this addiction can damage the well-being and development of the baby. About smoking during breastfeeding and the consequences, doctors' reviews are only negative. Therefore, the best option for a mother who uses tobacco products is to stop this habit.
However, not all women can do this. Unfortunately, many representatives of the weaker sex, following the recommendations they read on the forums, or the advice of their friends, buy various types of products that are substitutes for cigarettes. Such products are often advertised. However, products of this kind almost do not differ from conventional products in terms of the dose of nicotine that smokers receive.
In addition, these products are even more addictive. With each puff of an electronic device, a woman receives an increasing amount of hazardous substances. Smoking while breastfeeding can lead to the development of intoxication in mother and child.
How to reduce harm if you can't quit addiction?
In some cases, it is difficult for a girl to stop using tobacco products. Knowing that the answer to the question of whether smoking affects breastfeeding,affirmative, you need to remember these rules:
- Given that the harmful substances contained in cigarettes are eliminated from the body after 60 minutes, do not breastfeed during this time.
- Do not use this product in the presence of an infant.
- Reduce the number of products containing nicotine. The allowance is five cigarettes a day.
- No smoking at night.
- Make sure you get enough fluid (up to two liters a day).
- Stay he althy (a diet that includes fish, vegetables and fruits, yogurt, cottage cheese).
- Use vitamin complexes (after consulting a doctor).
- Smoking only after lactation.
