Vaping while breastfeeding can allow harmful chemicals to pass from mother to infant through breast milk. You can breastfeed if you are vaping. Although it is true that nicotine moves readily into breast milk, the advantages of breastfeeding are believed to outweigh the risks of nicotine exposure compared with choosing to feed your baby formula.
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 nicotine in breast milk?
Sharing is caring! Currently, there is no sufficient evidence to prove that the presence of nicotine in the breast milk can lead to severe damage to the health of a baby. 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.
Can I use tobacco or e-cigarettes while breastfeeding?
Related Pages. 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 after smoking can I breastfeed my Baby?
Nicotine levels in your breast milk will be less if you wait at least 2 hours after your last cigarette to feed your baby. The lower levels of nicotine in your body can also help you to have a better let-down reflex. Do not smoke while you are holding or breastfeeding your child.
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 .
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.
What to do after smoking and prior to handling an infant?
change clothes and wash hands after smoking and prior to handling the 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.
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.
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.
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.
Can you use an e-cigarette while breastfeeding?
Can I use an e-cigarette if I’m breastfeeding?#N#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.
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.
Does lactmed affect breast milk?
However, Lactmed 3 cautions that nicotine crosses into breast milk readily; and based on animal studies it may increase a baby’s risk of SIDS and may interfere with normal lung development. Lactmed says no studies have been undertaken to resolve concerns around using nicotine products for breastfeeding mothers.
Is nicotine replacement therapy safe for breastfeeding?
Nicotine replacement therapy and breastfeeding. Although there has not been much research on NRT it is thought that the small amount of nicotine excreted into breast milk from nicotine therapy products is less dangerous for the baby than smoke inhalation from smoking traditional tobacco products.
Can you use nicotine replacement therapy on a baby?
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) by patch, gum, spray or inhaler will at least avoid some of the harmful effects of passive smoking for mother and baby. However nicotine does still pass into the breast milk of a mother using these products.
How does an e-cigarette work?
As you draw on the e-cigarette, the liquid is drawn into a chamber. This heats the liquid and turns it into a vapour, which you breathe in. A hit of nicotine goes straight into your lungs, and is quickly absorbed into your bloodstream.
What is the liquid in an e-cigarette?
E-cigarettes usually contain a liquid mixture of flavourings, nicotine, water, propylene glycol and glycerine. Propylene glycol is used in foods to keep them moist and as a carrier for medicine in inhalers. Glycerine is a slightly sweet, moistening food additive.
Why is breastmilk important for babies?
Your breastmilk protects your baby against infections and has the perfect balance of nutrients to help her thrive. It's also a lovely way for the two of you to bond.
Can e-cigarettes pass into breastmilk?
We already know that nicotine and other toxins from tobacco smoke pass into breastmilk. So the same could happen if you use an e-cigarette.
Is it safe to smoke e-cigarettes while breastfeeding?
It's safer to use e-cigarettes than smoke conventional cigarettes while breastfeeding. E-cigarette vapour has many fewer toxins, and at much lower levels, than tobacco.
Does nicotine affect breastmilk?
Nicotine makes blood vessels become narrower in adult smokers. In theory, nicotine in breastmilk could have the same effect on babies as it does in adults. However, the amount of nicotine that passes to your baby through breastmilk would be a lot less than the nicotine you take into your body when you vape.
When is the CDC urging people to stop vaping?
Stop Vaping Now! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a health advisory on August 30, 2019 urging people to avoid e-cigarettes and other vaping devices. An outbreak of severe lung disease related to vaping has caused severe illness and death in many US states. The American Academy of Pediatrics joins ...
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.
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.
What is the chemical in e-cigarette vapor?
flavoring like diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious, irreversible lung disease called obliterative bronchiolitis.
Is smoking a cigarette during pregnancy bad for you?
It is proven and well known that smoking cigarettes during pregnancy is dangerous to the mother and baby's health. But, do you also know e-cigarette use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is risky? E-cigarettes―also known as e-hookah, e-pens, vape pens, or tanks―are NOT a safe way to quit smoking during pregnancy either.
What are the effects of smoking on breast milk?
Other effects associated with smoking and milk supply include: Babies of women who smoke are more likely to experience altered sleep patterns. 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 ...
What is the best way to kick the habit of breast feeding?
Nicotine patches are an option for new moms wishing to kick the habit and breast-feed. According to La Leche League International, nicotine patches are preferred to nicotine gum.
How many cigarettes should a mom smoke?
If a mom smokes fewer than 20 cigarettes per day, the risks from nicotine exposure are not as significant. But if a mom smokes more than 20 to 30 cigarettes per day, this increases the baby’s risk for: If you do continue to smoke, wait at least one hour after you finish smoking before breast-feeding your baby.
Does smoking affect a baby?
Smoking not only affects a growing baby during pregnancy, but it might have drawbacks for a breast-feeding mom. Smoking might reduce a breast-feeding mom’s milk supply. Passing nicotine and other toxins via breast milk is also associated with increased incidences of fussiness, nausea, and restlessness in babies.
Is nicotine in breast milk harmful?
But the benefits of breast-feeding are still thought to outweigh the risks of nico tine exposure while breast- feeding.
Does nicotine cause crying?
Nicotine present in breast milk can lead to behavioral changes in a baby like crying more than usual.
Can breast feeding mothers smoke?
Even if a breast-feeding mother is able to give up smoking while she feeds her child, it’s important for her to avoid secondhand smoke whenever possible. Secondhand smoke increases a baby’s risk for infections such as pneumonia. It also increases their risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
How to breastfeed longer?
Plus, you're more likely to breastfeed longer if you smoke fewer cigarettes each day.
What happens if a baby breathes in smoke?
Other Dangers of Second-Hand Smoke: If your baby breathes in smoke from being around you or others who are smoking, they will have a greater risk of developing asthma, bronchitis, and ear infections. 5.
Can you use nicotine gum while breastfeeding?
If you can't quit with natural smoking cessation programs, talk to your doctor about other options. Depending on the dose of nicotine in the nicotine replace ment treatment that you're considering, you may be able to use gum or patch es to help you quit smoking while you're breastfeeding.
Does smoking affect breast feeding?
The Effects of Tobacco and Nicotine on Breastfeeding and Milk. Cigarettes are made up of tobacco and other dangerous substances. Tobacco contains nicotine, a potent and highly addictive chemical that can affect you and your baby.
Can you breastfeed if you smoke?
Smoking is not recommended if you're breastfeeding; however, if you do smoke you can still breastfeed. The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the negatives of smoking, and studies show that the child of someone who smokes will be healthier if they are breastfed. 1 However, there are still other issues to consider.
Can you smoke after breastfeeding?
Smoke After You Breastfeed, Not Before. Nicotine levels in your breast milk will be lower if you wait at least 2 hours after your last cigarette to feed your baby. The lower levels of nicotine in your body can also help you to have a better let-down reflex. Don't Smoke While You're Holding Your Baby.
Is vaping safe for breast milk?
2. At this point, there isn't enough reliable information on vaping and e-cigarettes to say that they're safe, and more studies are needed.
How long does nicotine stay in breast milk?
If you smoke just before breastfeeding, nicotine is transmitted to your baby in your breast milk. The half-life of nicotine is about an hour and a half, meaning it will still be in your breastmilk for at least three hours after you smoke. Some nicotine may remain after this time. 2 . Smoking can also inhibit your milk production ...
How long should you wait to smoke while breastfeeding?
You might be advised to wait at least three to four hours before breastfeeding again–even if it means that you have to pump and dump (where you express and discard some breastmilk).
How long before breastfeeding can you take a nicotine patch?
You may also be able to use a nicotine replacement patch for part of the day and remove it three to four hours before breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor about this option if you don't think you can quit on your own.
How to tell if a baby is addicted to nicotine?
The signs of nicotine dependence in babies are those of withdrawal symptoms like sleep disturbances, headaches, and irritability. 4 . The symptoms of nicotine poisoning are rare and occur in babies who are exposed to a lot of smoke. Symptoms of nicotine poisoning in babies can include: Grey skin color, loose stools.
Why is my baby fussy?
However, your baby might become fussy when withdrawal symptoms occur. Some babies are simply fussier than others, but if your baby is exposed to high levels of smoke through breastmilk and/or secondhand smoke, your baby's behavior could be a response to exposure to nicotine.
Is smoking a dangerous substance for babies?
What we do know is that infants whose mothers smoke are more likely to develop a wide range of health problems—some of which are life-threatening. Nicotine poses many health risks to babies, including: Increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS or "crib death") Increased incidence of respiratory allergies.
Can you stop smoking while breastfeeding?
The next best option is to reduce your smoking while you are breastfeeding, and reduce your baby's exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Do not stop breastfeeding, even if you aren't able to quit smoking, as breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS.
How long does THC stay in breast milk?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Trusted Source. reports that THC can remain in breast milk for up to 6 days. But it’s not just THC that breastfeeding parents need to be concerned about, according to Tamika Cross, MD, FACOG, and board-certified OB-GYN.
How long does breast milk contain THC?
Along with the FDA, these groups advise against the use of cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabis in any form, especially since studies show that breast milk can contain THC for up to 6 days after use.
Can you use weed while breastfeeding?
The AAP’s official statement on the use of weed by breastfeeding mothers states that the risks are unknown. For this reason, you need to know the potential risk — and avoid cannabis products while breastfeeding. And that’s exactly what Gina Posner, MD, a pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center, tells her families.
Can you breastfeed a baby with weed?
The AAP’s official statement on the use of weed by breastfeeding mothers states that the risks are unknown.
Is THC in breast milk higher than adult dose?
Although the estima ted daily dose of THC ingested by the infant was lower than an adult dose, researchers pointed out that there was a high variability in breast milk concentrations. This means some infants may be exposed to amounts closer to an adult’s daily dose.
Does weed pass through breast milk?
While we do know that it is passed through the breast milk, it’s likely that there are some effects to the baby,” says Posner. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main ingredient in weed, is fat soluble and accumulates in breast milk. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Is it safe to breastfeed with cannabis?
Major organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists all agree that no amount of cannabis has been proven safe to use while breastfeeding.
