Vaping FAQs

can vaping while breastfeeding hurt the baby

by Dr. Diamond Langosh DVM Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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If you’re breastfeeding, it’s important to be aware that vaping can potentially harm your baby. While no evidence is vaping while breastfeeding causes any long-term health problems, it’s still not safe to vape around your infant. Some studies have even shown that vaping can increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Full Answer

Is it safe to vape while breastfeeding?

A baby should be breastfed for at least the first 6 months. Breast milk provides balanced nutrients and protection against infections. It also provides an excellent way for a mother and the baby to bond. As a precaution, however, it’s essential to vape after breastfeeding. That’s because waiting means your baby won’t get nicotine from breast milk.

Is there a connection between vaping and breast milk?

However, most breastfeeding women that want to enjoy their daily dose of nicotine are still concerned about the possible presence of nicotine in their breast milk. This article focuses on revealing a real connection between vaping and breastfeeding. How Long Does It Take for Nicotine to Get Out of Breast Milk?

What are the risks of vaping during pregnancy?

Research on the effects of vaping on fetuses and newborns has lagged behind the quick rise in e-cigarette use. Much of what we do know comes from studies of nicotine in tobacco products and smoking, which shows that nicotine is harmful and increases the risk of: miscarriage and complications during pregnancy. premature birth. low birthweight.

Can I breastfeed my Baby If I smoke e-cigarettes?

Breastfeeding is good for your baby, so it's better to do it than not, even if you're still smoking. Because of the many benefits breastfeeding has for infants and moms, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommend breastfeeding even if the mother continues to use e-cigarettes.

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What happens if you vape while breastfeeding?

Using tobacco or e-cigarettes while breastfeeding can allow harmful chemicals to pass from the mother to the infant through breast milk or secondhand smoke exposure.

How long does nicotine from vaping stay in breastmilk?

The half life of nicotine in breast milk is variously quoted as 95 minutes (Mohrbacher, 2020) or 120 minutes (halesmeds.com 2020).

How does nicotine in breast milk affect a baby?

Babies exposed to smoke via breast-feeding are more susceptible to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the development of allergy-related diseases like asthma. Nicotine present in breast milk can lead to behavioral changes in a baby like crying more than usual.

How does vaping affect a 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 much nicotine gets in your breast milk?

Dose Delivered to Infants 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.

How long does nicotine stay in a baby system?

The half-life of nicotine is approximately 2.5 hours in adults15 and 9–11 hours in newborns,16--one of the shortest half-lives of drugs used during pregnancy17.

Do they test newborns for nicotine?

Meconium drug screening identifies substances that can elicit newborn withdrawal symptoms. Including nicotine and/or its metabolites in the meconium drug screen helps discern the level of exposure and assists in the management of withdrawal symptoms.

Can smoking while breastfeeding cause autism?

Logistic regression did not find any associations between maternal alcohol and tobacco use while breastfeeding and ADHD or ASD diagnosis at ages 6–7 or 10–11 years. Alcohol and tobacco use during lactation may not increase ADHD or ASD risk. Abstaining from alcohol and tobacco, however, may still be the safest option.

Is second-hand smoke from vaping harmful?

Yes, second and third-hand smoke and vaping aerosols contain harmful, toxic and cancer-causing chemicals that can be breathed in. They can go into the body through the skin. These chemicals can be swallowed, as many children put their hands or other objects into their mouths.

Does vaping increase risk of SIDS?

While the knowledge that SIDS can happen is frightening, parents can effectively lower their child's risk of SIDS if they know what to avoid. Particularly important to reducing SIDS risk is refraining from smoking, vaping, and using nicotine patches.

Can I vape in the same room as my baby?

The bottom line: No amount of vaping around your babies and children is considered safe. So it's important to take the proper precautions to avoid exposure to secondhand vaping and get the help or your partner needs to quit.

Can you vape 3mg while breastfeeding?

Based on the available evidence on e-cigarette safety there is no reason to believe that using an e-cigarette would compromise breastfeeding. If vaping is helping you to quit smoking and stay smokefree, you should carry on with it, including while breastfeeding.

How long should I wait to breastfeed after smoking hookah?

Nicotine gets into your milk, so try to wait several hours after you smoke before nursing your baby.

Do they test newborns for nicotine?

Meconium drug screening identifies substances that can elicit newborn withdrawal symptoms. Including nicotine and/or its metabolites in the meconium drug screen helps discern the level of exposure and assists in the management of withdrawal symptoms.

What effects can tobacco or e-cigarette exposure have on infants?

Regardless of feeding method (breastfeeding or infant formula), maternal smoking is a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), as well as lower respiratory illnesses (such as bronchitis and pneumonia), ear infections, and impaired lung function in infants and children .

How to promote smoking cessation?

recognize pregnancy and lactation as two ideal times to promote tobacco and smoking cessation. To minimize exposure to the infant, mothers and others who smoke should: not smoke near the infant. smoke outside. have smoke-free rules for the car and home.

What to do after smoking and prior to handling an infant?

change clothes and wash hands after smoking and prior to handling the infant.

What is an e-cigarette?

E-cigarettes, and other vaping devices, are battery-powered devices that typically deliver nicotine, flavorings, and other additives through an inhaled aerosol. Little is known about the effects of e-cigarette use by the mother on the infant’s health.

Can you smoke while breastfeeding?

Using tobacco or e-cigarettes while breastfeeding can allow harmful chemicals to pass from the mother to the infant through breast milk or secondhand smoke exposure. Mothers who use tobacco or e-cigarettes should be encouraged to quit; regardless, breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits and breast milk remains the recommended food for an infant.

Can you smoke e-cigarettes while breastfeeding?

Yes. Mothers who use tobacco or e-cigarettes should be encouraged to quit; regardless, breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits and breast milk remains the recommended food for an infant. recognize pregnancy and lactation as two ideal times to promote tobacco and smoking cessation.

What is Vaping?

A vape or electronic cigarette is a device created to heat up liquid containing tobacco or marijuana to create a vapor that the user can inhale. Vaping has become one of the most popular methods of consuming both tobacco and marijuana products.

Types of Vaping Devices

Whether a vaping newbie or someone who has vaped for quite some time, you may not know the different types of vaping devices available. There are standard devices and then those for the technology savvy. Vaping devices come in four categories:

Is it Safe to Vape While Breastfeeding?

The CDC encourages breastfeeding mothers to quit vaping. Even if they are still vaping, they still consider it best to continue with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits, and breast milk is still the recommended food for infants. As with smoking, it is highly recommended to avoid vaping around your infant.

Does Vaping Affect Breast Milk Supply?

Vaping does affect breast milk supply. The effects are due to the fact that nicotine easily crosses into breast milk from the mother. This nicotine is ingested via breastmilk and absorbed into the system of the infant. In some studies, the impact on infants who ingest the breast milk supply that has nicotine in it include:

Vaping Health Risks

Vaping is seen as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes. It contains anywhere from one-third to half the nicotine found in a regular cigarette. Although there may be less nicotine, there are many other risks to vaping. The liquid itself and the vapor it produces contains harmful substances like:

Can I Vape With No Nicotine While Breastfeeding?

It is not recommended to vape nicotine-free e-cigarettes. The recommendation is because even some nicotine-free advertised e-cigarettes still contain nicotine. In a 2019 Australian study, six out of 10 nicotine-free e-liquids still had nicotine. There were also test samples that found 2-chlorophenol.

CBD Vape While Breastfeeding

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) strongly advises against using cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and marijuana while breastfeeding. There are many negative health effects from using marijuana and other THC-containing products while breastfeeding.

Is it ok to use e-cigarettes or JUUL to help me quit smoking if I'm pregnant?

No. E-cigarettes or JUUL are not yet regulated nor approved by the FDA as a way to quit smoking. They both contain significant amounts of nicotine and are NOT safer. There are more effective and safer ways to quit smoking when you are pregnant, including:

Are e-cigarettes safe to use while pregnant?

No, e-cigs are NOT safe to use while pregnant. Tobacco companies advertise e-cigs as safe alternatives to traditional cigarettes, since they don't release the same chemicals as burning tobacco smoke. However, e-cig vapor or aerosol still contains many other harmful substances. Also, due to the lack of regulation, the chemical compounds in e-cigarettes can vary between brands.

What are the effects of nicotine on a developing fetus and newborn baby?

Research on the effects of vaping on fetuses and newborns has lagged behind the quick rise in e-cigarette use.

Does nicotine from e-cigarettes get into breastmilk?

Yes. Inhal ed nicotine enters a mother's blood through her lungs, and then easily passes into breastmilk. Research shows that nicotine in a mother's breastmilk can affect infant sleep patterns―raising the risk for blood sugar and thyroid problems that can lead children to become overweight. Nicotine is also thought to decrease milk supply in nursing mothers, possibly by lowering levels of the breastmilk-stimulating hormone prolactin.

How to keep a baby from smoking?

Make your house and car smoke-free to keep your baby away from secondhand smoke. After vaping, change your clothes, and wash your hands before holding your baby. Nurse your baby before, rather than after, vaping. Your body will have more time to clear the nicotine from breast milk. Don't give up trying to quit.

What are the chemicals that are in the air?

cancer-causing chemicals such as nitrosamines, formaldehyde, and propylene glycol (a solvent used in anti-freeze). heavy metals, including nickel, tin and lead.

What is the chemical in e-cigarette vapor?

flavoring like diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious, irreversible lung disease called obliterative bronchiolitis.

How does nicotine patch work?

Nicotine skin patches provide a steady level of continual nicotine. This prevents the possibility of timing breastfeeds so that nicotine levels are lower in breast milk at the time of a breastfeed. However, using the lowest strength patch available e.g. 7 mg is said to reduce a baby’s exposure to nicotine by as much as 70% compared to smoking or using a high strength patch. 6 7 Removing the patch at bedtime can lower the levels of nicotine at night. 8 Following a clinical trial, breastfeeding and medications expert Thomas Hale and colleagues say nicotine patches are safer than smoking:

What is an electronic cigarette?

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes (electronic nicotine delivery systems) are battery powered fake cigarettes consisting of a mouth piece, a cartridge with nicotine and other chemicals, and an atomiser that converts the liquid into a vapour. Some look like a traditional cigarette and some look more like a pen and are called vaporisers. In the UK e-cigarettes are regulated under the UK Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 which translates the European Union Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) into UK law. 9 In America different brands are not safety regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and contain various chemicals and flavourings with varying amounts of nicotine 10 11.

How much nicotine is in gum?

Hale says levels of blood nicotine from chewing gum may be 30-60% of the levels of blood nicotine found in cigarette smokers. Hale also states however that if the gum is chewed rapidly the levels of nicotine may be similar to smoking itself.

What is the P592?

2020. p592. Nicotine replacement products provide blood nicotine levels high enough to prevent or reduce withdrawal symptoms but without the “buzz” of cigarettes. They are also missing the tars, carbon monoxide, and lung irritants that come with smoking.

Is nicotine inhaler safe for breastfeeding?

Medications author Thomas Hale says levels of nicotine dispens ed in an inhaler are probably too low to affect a breastfeeding baby (Halesmeds.com. 2018) . But as with all nicotine replacement products, levels will depend on how used:

Does nicotine gum affect breastfeeding?

Blood levels of nicotine from nicotine gum can vary quite widely and may be similar to smoking traditional cigarettes however there aren’t any studies on breastfeeding mothers using this product ( Lactmed, 2018). Hale says levels of blood nicotine from chewing gum may be 30-60% of the levels of blood nicotine found in cigarette smokers. Hale also states however that if the gum is chewed rapidly the levels of nicotine may be similar to smoking itself. Breastfeeding mothers are advised to avoid breastfeeding for two to three hours after chewing this product (Halesmeds.com. 2018)

Does nicotine nasal spray work?

A nicotine nasal spray delivers nicotine to the blood more rapidly compared to other NRT products and is closer to the rate of nicotine delivery of cigarette smoking ( Benowitz et al, 2009). Even so Lactmed says that a nicotine spray reduces blood and probably breast milk levels of nicotine by two thirds compared with smoking a cigarette although no studies on breastfeeding mothers have been reported.

Is vaping safe during pregnancy?

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.

Is it safe to smoke e-cigarettes while pregnant?

E-cigarette liquids also contain chemicals, flavors and other additives that might not be safe for your baby. It's well known that smoking cigarettes during pregnancy can harm women and their babies.

Can a baby smoke e-cigarettes?

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.

Can pregnant women smoke e-cigarettes?

Pregnant women often don 't know if their e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Some also might use e-cigarettes during pregnancy because of the perception that the devices can help them quit or reduce cigarette smoking.

How long does it take for nicotine to get to your brain?

If one chooses to use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), one is using nicotine in a clean form, a less addictive delivery method (the more quickly it gets to your brain, the more addictive it is, and when smoked it takes less than seven seconds), and lower amounts than if smoking is continued – and with a tapering dosage.

How many cigarettes are in a joint smoked?

This increases the lung exposure to harm. Because of the higher levels of oil in cannabis, it is usually estimated that each joint smoked is the equivalent of 5-7 cigarettes. [9] The effects of cannabis in breastmilk on babies’ development are controversial.

What are the components of cigarette smoke?

The components of cigarette smoke. There are three main problematic components in cigarette smoke: tar (the link between smoking and cancer), carbon monoxide (the link with heart disease, stroke and the main cause of damage in unborn babies) and nicotine. Tar passes from the lungs to the bloodstream and is deposited all around the body.

What is the effect of THC on babies?

The immediate effects on babies can be sedation, weakness and poor feeding pattern. [12] .

What happens when a mother quits smoking?

When a mum quits smoking, she’s making one of the biggest changes she can to improve her health, and the health of her baby. Any accurate information that those involved in breastfeeding support can give her, will support her to maintain that change. The hardest time to make or maintain behaviour changes are when one is HALT: hungry, angry, ...

How are e-cigarettes regulated?

E-cigarettes are regulated by general consumer products law which is enforced by trading standards – this means it is easier for companies to bring products to market with much less testing and control than if products were regulated as medicines – it’s responsive rather than proactive.

What is the vapour made of?

The vapour itself is usually made from propylene glycol and glycerine – and as far as we know that doesn’t cause anything more serious than occasional throat irritation. There is a need for research on long term lung exposure safety.

Roflobster New Member

Hello everyone, my fiance is due with our first child in December, and during this time she had quit smoking cigarettes. I quit along with her and switched to vaping, which I really enjoy now. For the first few months of he pregnancy she was vaping some 0 nic juice, but without the nicotine it wasn't really satisfying her.

swedishfish Vaping Master Verified Member ECF Veteran

Use of nicotine patches in breast-feedin... [Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2003] - PubMed - NCBI

swedishfish Vaping Master Verified Member ECF Veteran

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the absolute infant dose of nicotine and its metabolite cotinine decreases by about 70% from when subjects were smoking or using the 21-mg patch to when they were using the 7-mg patch. In addition, use of the nicotine patch had no significant influence on the milk intake by the breast-fed infant.

swedishfish Vaping Master Verified Member ECF Veteran

C.B. I have yet to talk to one doctor that is opposed to vaping. Every single doctor I've spoken to about it (and it's been a lot) have all had positive things to say regarding vaping over smoking. Most even say they recommend it to their patients. And I'm not alone, many people on the board say this.

Roflobster New Member

Thank you everyone for the replies. That article was very informative. I agree that asking her doctor would be a good thing to do, and I will be sure to bring that up at her next appointment.

What is vaping?

Vaping is the act of using an e-cigarette — specifically, the inhaling of vapor from e-cigarettes such as JUULs, cig-a-likes, vape pens, personalized vaporizers and mechanical mods. The point of vaping is to deliver nicotine, a particularly addictive drug, to the body.

How to quit smoking?

The good news is you’re not alone. In addition to getting help from your practitioner, family and friends, a number of other resources can support your efforts: 1 A “quit plan”: Create one that includes your reasons for quitting, smoking triggers to avoid and strategies to deal with cravings. (Check out the National Cancer Institute’s Smokefree.gov for more info.) 2 1-800-QUIT-NOW hotline: Get free counseling, advice to create a quit plan and information on local cessation resources. 3 The Smokefree Women website: Offers judgement-free information and resources to help mothers quit all nicotine products, including e-cigarettes. 4 Support groups: Nicotine Anonymous, online support groups and local smoking cessation programs can help. 5 One-on-one or group counseling: Moms who get counseling tend to be more likely to quit and less likely to start smoking again later.

What is Smokefree Women?

The Smokefree Women website: Offers judgement-free information and resources to help mothers quit all nicotine products, including e-cigarettes.

What is the minimum age to buy a cigarette?

In December 2019, the minimum age to buy tobacco products, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes, was raised to 21 — a good thing, since the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns that any exposure to nicotone, including secondhand exposure from e-cigarettes, may be dangerous for children.

What is a quit plan?

In addition to getting help from your practitioner, family and friends, a number of other resources can support your efforts: A “quit plan”: Create one that includes your reasons for quitting, smoking triggers to avoid and strategies to deal with cravings.

How old do you have to be to buy a vape?

They were first regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2016, some 10 years after they first hit the market. Now, you must be over 21 to buy vaping products, and manufacturers have to apply for permission from the FDA to sell their product and list in detail every ingredient they use plus exactly how it's made.

What is the point of vaping?

The point of vaping is to deliver nicotine, a particularly addictive drug, to the body. Vaping devices can resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes, but many look more like pens or, in the case of JUULs, USB drives.

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