Question

How can the nicotine in a nursing mother’s milk affect nursing babies?

Answer 1

Answer

• Harmful components in nicotine such as cyanide can be transferred to the baby via breast milk

• Nicotine can be absorbed by the intestine of the baby to result into apnea and vomiting

• Interference with normal lung development of the baby

Explanation

Nicotine is a harmful chemical found naturally in tobacco plants and could be readily absorbed into the milk of a breastfeeding mother from her blood. Nicotine in a baby’s milk can further result into raised heart rate of the baby, disturbed sleep due to the stimulant effect of nicotine, and vomiting /nausea especially if the mother is a regular smoker.

Answer 2

Cause fussy behaviour, breast refusal, excessive crying, and increased colic in mothers who smoke more than five cigarettes per day. Lead to vomiting and nausea if a mother is smoking 20 cigarettes or more daily. Increase baby heart rate. It’s just not a good idea to breastfeed your baby if you smoke.